including four suites, spread throughout
the Main House and three separate
wings. Rooms feature huge bespoke
Hypnos beds, crisp white Egyptian cotton
bedding and feather duvets and pillows.
The bathrooms are almost as large as the
bedrooms, with underfloor heating and
scrummy Penhaligon’s Racquets Formula
toiletries. Our bathroom had a gorgeous
roll top bath, perfect for a post-walk, pre-
dinner soak.
For dining, Ellenborough Park offers
the choice of the formal Beaufort Dining
Room or the more relaxed Brasserie.
The Beaufort boasts stunning original
oak panelling and an impressive carved
wooden Tudor fireplace and stained glass
windows. The a la carte menu crafted by
head chef David Kelman features classic
British dishes with a modern twist, using
the finest local Cotswold ingredients
and accompanied by fine wines from
the extensive wine list. It was recently
awarded three coveted AA Rosettes.
The Brasserie is decorated in a tasteful
sporting theme with, unsurprisingly,
numerous pieces of horse-racing
memorabilia on the wall. Dishes include
burgers, steaks, pasta and a variety of
local meats as well as great seafood. The
Bar has a great whisky selection, and also
rustles together fabulous cocktails – we
were impressed by the mojitos; the best
we’ve had in the UK.
To round off the relaxing, decadent,
spoiling experience of Ellenborough
Park, of course there’s a spa too! The
facilities include a Jacuzzi, sauna, steam
room, tropical experience showers and a
juice bar.There are seven cosy treatment
rooms in which an extensive range of
massages, facials and body treatments are
offered. I tried the Discovery Prescription
Facial, which uses the delicious BABOR
product range – the therapist adjusts the
treatment according to your skin’s needs,
be it dry, sensitive, oily or aging. It’s a very
gentle treatment, so much so that I fell
asleep,which is virtually unheard off during
a facial! Deep cleansing and exfoliation
prepares the skin for massage and intense
moisturising, and leaves your face radiant
and skin feels plump and restored. The
BABOR range smells beautiful, thanks
to the natural plant-based ingredients.
It’s not remotely aggressive; in fact even
the enzyme peel was unnoticeable, but
certainly worked well.
If you feel the urge to step outside the
haven of Ellenborough Park, Cheltenham
is well worth exploring – particularly the
Montpellier district with its delis, galleries
and boutiques.The hotel can also arrange
an array of activities, from clay-pigeon
shooting at the nearby Ian Coley Shooting
School, polo lessons at the local club, or in
the summer maybe have a go at croquet
on the lawn followed by a truly English
afternoon tea....
www.ellenboroughpark.com
be the Great Hall, with a soaring ceiling,
roaring log fire and minstrels gallery. A
harp sits in the corner, and intentionally
mismatched furniture invites you to curl
up with afternoon tea or a good book.
It’s easy to forget that you’re in a hotel
and a pleasant reminder when a helpful
member of staff offers to ply you with
warm scones and tea.
Outside, there are rose gardens,
herb gardens and topiary, and the slate-
lined outdoor pool is kept at a pleasant
30
degrees all year round, flanked by
loungers for summer sunbathing. Next to
the pool is a well equipped gym, or for
exercise and fresh air, there are plenty
of footpaths nearby, with panoramic
views over Cheltenham Racecourse and
the Malvern Hills in the distance. If you
forgot your outdoor gear or don’t have
any, fear not – there’s a boot room that
puts many shooting lodges to shame,
stocked with Dubarry jackets and boots,
and Hunter wellies.
The bedrooms are individually
designed by Nina Campbell, and
successfully mix country house style with
modern function.There are 62 altogether,
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