I don’t usually fall in love on a Tuesday, but then again, I don’t usually spend the night at The George & Dragon in Marlow. When I first heard it described as a “pub with rooms,” I imagined something perfectly pleasant but straightforward – a charming stopover, perhaps, nothing more. What I didn’t expect was to be so thoroughly wooed, to find myself on the receiving end of an experience that felt more like a love affair than a night away. The George & Dragon is, quite simply, a place that seduces you quietly and then leaves you smitten.

The first sign that I was in for more than a casual fling was the welcome. Not the polite efficiency you sometimes get at hotels, nor the slightly awkward half-smile of a too-busy pub. No – this was a welcome that felt personal, warm, and unfeigned, as though the staff were less “staff” and more an extended family eager to fold you into their embrace. That sense of intimacy began the moment we checked in, and it never let up.

Upstairs, the seduction continued. Our room (one of the fanciest in the house, and aptly named as such) didn’t just offer a bed; it offered a stage set for romance. The first thing I noticed was the spread waiting for us: raspberry macarons perched prettily as though someone had baked them just to test my willpower, a little arrangement of treats that whispered, “We’re so glad you’re here.” On the dresser sat a vintage radio, crooning out jazz when I turned the dial, the kind of soundtrack that makes you want to slow-dance barefoot on old floorboards. And then, of course, the bed itself: a king-size bed dressed in a positively scandalous number of pillows. It was less a bed, more a promise.

Beside the bed sat a miniature lavender pillow mist – the sort of small, sensual detail that makes you exhale before you’ve even unpacked. On the duvet lay a quiet note – not pushy, not preachy, just a gentle whisper of The George & Dragon’s ethos. “Count on our plush pillows and duvets for a guaranteed good night’s sleep. Snuggle into our 100% sustainably sourced hypoallergenic vegan down-filled bedding and Silentnight performance mattress to revive and rejuvenate mind and body. You’ll be drifting off in no time.” It set the tone perfectly: intimacy meets integrity.

This is where the romance puns start to pile up, because the truth is that The George & Dragon knows how to woo. Those pillows weren’t just decorative; they were an invitation to sink into comfort, to surrender to indulgence. The sheets were crisp, cool, and then warm in all the right places, like a good embrace. It felt less like a room you check into and more like a room that checks in with you.

What struck me most, though, was the care threaded through every detail. The renovation has honoured the Grade II bones of the building, breathing new life into old beams rather than replacing them. And that same care extends to the kitchen and beyond. The George & Dragon, part of the Heartwood Inns family, holds the highest possible three-star Food Made Good rating by the Sustainable Restaurant Association – the gold standard for ethical and sustainable dining in the UK. It’s a quiet but powerful declaration of values: one that recognises provenance, celebrates the seasons, and partners only with suppliers who share their passion for doing things the right way.

That integrity comes through in everything they serve. The chefs work with some of the UK’s most respected suppliers – including Aubrey Allen, award-winning butchers who also supply the royal household, and Direct Seafood, ensuring only responsibly sourced fish finds its way onto your plate. Their produce, meanwhile, is chosen in close partnership with growers who champion the best of each season. You can taste the thoughtfulness, and somehow that makes every bite even more delicious.

In the late afternoon, we wandered out, curious to see how Marlow itself might play the supporting role in this love story. Just a few steps from The George & Dragon, the Thames runs like a ribbon, its surface rippling with the evening breeze. We lingered there, watching swans glide and couples drift past in small boats, the whole scene effortlessly romantic, as though staged. From there we meandered along the high street, bunting fluttering overhead like confetti left over from some endless celebration. The independent shops that line the street – from quirky bookshops to elegant boutiques – felt like charming suitors, each offering something different. Marlow is one of those towns that wears its heart on its sleeve, and we gladly fell for it.

By the time we returned to The George & Dragon for dinner, we were hungry – for food, yes, but also for the continuation of this courtship. And dinner, as it turns out, was the full declaration of love. The dining room, softly lit and gently buzzing, gave us the perfect setting. The chefs here clearly cook with pride and a sense of joy; it comes through in every bite.

We began with a beetroot terrine that was so vibrant and playful it felt like the first flirtatious line in a conversation, followed by croquettes that were golden, crisp, and utterly moreish – the edible equivalent of a wink across the table. Our mains sealed the deal: a perfectly cooked sea bream, its skin crisped to perfection, flesh flaking at the touch of a fork, and a crab dish so delicately balanced it felt like poetry. Paired with a crisp white wine, the whole meal felt like a marriage of flavours, a celebration of harmony. It was love at first bite, and then second, and then third.

But what elevated the meal beyond the plate was the service. The staff weren’t just attentive – they were genuinely lovely, personable in a way that can’t be trained. There was no script, no stiff politeness; instead, we felt looked after by people who cared. They laughed with us, offered thoughtful recommendations, remembered little details, and managed to be everywhere we needed them without hovering. It felt, in every sense, like being welcomed into a family. And that family feeling spread through the room; you could see it in how the team worked together, as if this wasn’t just their job but their shared passion.

Later that night, we slipped upstairs, bellies full and hearts fuller. The vintage radio played softly as we climbed into the mountain of pillows. The lavender mist lingered faintly in the air, a reminder of the care folded into every part of the experience. There was a hush to the building, the sort of quiet that feels protective. Outside, the Thames murmured, and inside, everything felt still, safe, and entirely ours. We slept as though cradled, the kind of deep sleep that feels like a secret gift.

Morning came gently, light spilling in through the window, and with it the promise of breakfast. If dinner was the declaration of love, breakfast was the morning-after note left on the pillow – affectionate, thoughtful, reassuring. We lingered over coffee that was rich and satisfying, eggs cooked just so, mushrooms earthy, tomatoes bright. The service was once again faultless, warm without ever feeling rushed, as though the day could wait just a little longer.

And truly, we wanted it to. Packing up felt like the bittersweet end of a first holiday romance, the kind where you know you have to leave but wish you could linger. Standing outside The George & Dragon before we left, I looked up at its familiar façade – part old soul, part new chapter – and realised this wasn’t a fling at all. It wasn’t just a pub with rooms. It was something so much more: a place that connects, that cares, that romances you quietly until you’re completely taken.

As we walked back through Marlow, past the bunting and the river and the swans, I knew I’d be back. Because The George & Dragon is the kind of place you don’t just visit. It’s the kind of place you fall for. And once you’ve fallen, you’ll always want to return to see if the magic is still there. Returning feels even easier now with Treats by Heartwood Inns, the group’s new loyalty app that offers thoughtful rewards – small gestures that echo the generosity threaded through every part of the experience.

So yes – I fell in love on a Tuesday. And with The George & Dragon, it’s a love story I’ll happily relive again and again.

W: George and Dragon Marlow/
W: Heartwood Inns Treats Loyalty App

Written by Emma Blunt for Luxuria Lifestyle International