Lifestyle Editor Camilla Cary-Elwes reviews Ellenborough Park Hotel, a country house hotel steeped in history.
Ellenborough Park Hotel review – a five-star jewel in the Cotswolds
Even without the backdrop of history, the honey-hued Cotswold-stone house is a show-stopper. Nestled in 90 acres of parkland at the bottom of Cleeve Hill, overlooking Cheltenham racecourse, it’s a glorious mass of turrets, towers, arches and intricate stained-glass windows – all added by different owners over the centuries.
Inside Ellenborough Park Hotel
Inside, although there are wood-panelled rooms and huge stone fireplaces that befit its past, the hotel doesn’t feel formal or austere. The interiors are fresh, and the gilt-framed portraits and antiques are offset with a vibrant, modern colour scheme and furniture.
The 61 bedrooms are spacious and elegant, most offering far-reaching views of the surrounding countryside. The hotel benefited from a refit during lockdown, and the rooms were updated with contemporary country house-style furnishings and fabrics.
You could easily stay without leaving the grounds. And if wellness is the aim, there’s a state-of-the-art fitness centre stocked with Pelotons, pool, and Elemis spa that offers a range of indulgent and rejuvenating treatments. Try a Pro-Glow Brilliance facial to energise and detoxify stressed, dull skin, or go for a freestyle deep-tissue full-body massage to take pampering to the next level. Linger afterwards in the Jacuzzi, sauna and steam room, or doze off in the Indian-inspired relaxation room.
An indulgent menu
When it comes to dining, Ellenborough Park pulls out the stops. The hotel’s two restaurants offer a range of inventive dishes, many made with locally sourced ingredients.
The Horse Box Brasserie has a more easy-going feel, with a menu offering classic British dishes. Opt to dine outside on the terrace when the weather allows – or bag a glass pod if the British summer lets the side down.
For something special, try a Taittinger Champagne flight. Sample three canapés perfectly matched to three champagnes, served in the Great Hall, built in 1485. The Hall is also the location for afternoon tea. Take your pick of teas, homemade infusions or coffee, before tucking into a sumptuous selection of sandwiches and savouries, handmade sweet treats and scones fresh from the oven. A word of advice: come hungry. The cake stand is stacked high and impossible to resist.
Plenty to explore
For those keen to embrace the Cotswold lifestyle, the hotel organises country pursuits, from husky driving to archery. And don’t forget to visit the boot room, with its neat rows of wax coats and Dubarry boots – grab a pair in your size and live out Downton fantasies with a stroll around the grounds. For more sedate pleasures, keep an eye out for pottery classes or seek out the giant chess board.
During Cheltenham Festival the hotel is the epicentre of the off-track racing action. A short trot from Cheltenham racecourse, walk to the track through the hotel’s parkland in just 30 minutes – in a pair of Dubarrys borrowed from the boot room, of course.
Ellenborough’s idyllic setting, old-world charm and impeccable service make it the perfect venue for a wedding, celebration or special weekend away. And the echoes of its past can be felt in every nook and cranny.
Rooms from £299 for two people including breakfast, ellenboroughpark.com
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