Ellenborough Park

This summer I popped along to Cheltenham for a mini break with Mr BMB and we stayed at Ellenborough Park, a Mr & Mrs Smith Hotel which looks out on to the famous Cheltenham Racecourse. This ancient house has been transformed in recent years into a luxury spa hotel and as we swept up the long driveway to be greeted by the valet parking I knew we were in for a treat. The hotel has been thoughtfully renovated, with the character of the old house being exentuated with carefully chosen decoration and furniture and the large open fireplaces would make this a super-cozy winter hideaway as well as a summer retreat. 

Our room was a De Luxe double room (£350/night inc breakfast) and housed the most comfortable super-king double bed, a lounge area with sofa, chair and coffee table and a luxurious modern bathroom with free standing bath, wet room shower and twin sinks. Although I liked the deco of the rooms, I thought the netting above the bed was a little twee. 

After checking in, Mr BMB went to check out the gym facilities whilst I headed to the beautiful Indian themed spa and indulged in the Kundalini treatment (55 minutes/£75). This is a gentle back and leg treatment using chakra and sound-healing. As I have been on holiday from school for a few weeks, I was feeling pretty chilled out already and would have properly have benefitted more from a deep tissue massage, I came away feeling totally relaxed and any stress had melted away. This would be the perfect treatment on a Friday night after a hectic week. We only had one night at Ellenborogh Park, so I had a quick shower and change for dinner, but if you get to stay for a few nights, I'd recommend staying in your robe post treatment and getting room service for the perfect start to your stay. Instead we sat at the bar for a glass of bubbles and then ate in The Brasserie, the more relaxed of the two restaurants, where a main course is between £14-25. The Prawns, Steak and Eton Mess I opted for were lovely and I went to bed feeling super-full! Breakfast was served in the grand main restaurant were we enjoyed fruit, yogurt and pastries from the buffet and continuing on the indulgent theme ordered cooked breakfast from the menu - my scrambled eggs and smoked salmon was the perfect start to my day.

Being in the Cotswolds and near Cheltenham there is plenty to do outside the 90 acres of Ellenborough Park, however you could happily fill your time within the walls, with the outside swimming pool (sadly the sun didn't join us for our stay!) or head to the boot room to get togged up in boots and coats to explore the grounds in any weather. Little touches such a turndown, umbrellas at every door way and a little note and sweets waiting in our car when we left made this a special stay.

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