Pros

  • Luxurious, historic country estate surrounded by 90 acres of National Trust land
  • Overlooks the Cheltenham Racecourse
  • Stylish and sumptuous interiors with old-world details
  • Beautiful rooms and suites with classically English decor
  • Dining options include a restaurant awarded 3 AA rosettes
  • Indian-themed full-service spa with sauna, steam room, and spa pool
  • Heated outdoor pool and small fitness center
  • Boot Room stocked with Hunter and Dubarry boots and coats
  • Tasty breakfast included in room rate
  • Free Wi-Fi
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Cons

  • Rooms housed in four separate buildings, which require a short walk
  • Some complaints about slow service at the bar and restaurant
  • Small gym
See More Cons

Bottom Line

The majestic Ellenborough Park is a 15th-century luxurious country hotel surrounded by 90 acres of green and grassy land. The stylish and sumptuous interiors feature old-world details including original fireplaces, stained glass windows, and antique chandeliers. The 60 rooms and suites are housed in four separate buildings and feature classically English decor with luxurious, comfortable beds and modern amenities such as flat-screen TVs, iPod docks, and minibars. Two elegant restaurants, one of which has been awarded 3 AA rosettes, serve a delicious British menu. The property also has a small Indian-themed spa with sauna, steam room, and whirlpool, as well as a small fitness center, heated outdoor pool, and several meeting rooms and event spaces.

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Amenities

  • Fitness Center
  • Internet
  • Jacuzzi
  • Pets Allowed
  • Pool
  • Spa

Oyster Hotel Review

Ellenborough Park

Scene

Luxurious country hotel in a historic building surrounded by 90 acres of beautiful grounds

Ellenborough Park is a majestic sight to behold: This 15th-century manor house in the early Tudor style is festooned with towers, turrets, and arches, and surrounded by 90 acres of green and grassy National Trust land. It has had several different incarnations over its long history, having served as the home to the Earl of Ellenborough, a girls’ school, and the Hotel De La Bere, before being purchased in 2008 and converted into the current luxury hotel. Comprising four buildings, the luxurious country estate is full of gardens and impeccably maintained lawns that overlook the Cheltenham Racecourse.

The Nina Campbell designed interiors mix contemporary style with traditional, old-world details such as beautiful original fireplaces and Gothic style traceried windows. The exquisite Great Hall is an opulent space bedecked with Oriel windows with stained glass detailing, regal oil paintings, a grand fireplace against a stone wall, and antique chandeliers suspended from dark teal and gold coffered ceilings. Vibrant colors and patterns on pillows, couches, and armchairs complement the beautiful Persian-style rug. A mezzanine level full of comfortable seating and Moorish decor overlooks the Great Hall.

The lavish decor that permeates the property is tastefully executed, so the interiors don’t feel fussy or stuffy, but stylish and luxurious. High attention to detail is seen throughout and there’s even a dedicated Boot Room where guests are encouraged to borrow a pair of Hunter wellies or Dubarry boots and coats for a countryside stroll. The property attracts a well-heeled clientele looking for a luxurious country retreat, as well as a number of visiting jockeys and horse trainers.

See More Scene

Location

Located in the village of Southam, just outside of Cheltenham in the Cotswolds

Ellenborough Park is located in the village of Southam, just outside Cheltenham in the Cotswold Hills. Surrounded by 90 acres of green and grassy National Trust land, the estate is a peaceful country retreat and a good base for exploring the quaint and charming towns and villages of the bucolic Cotswolds. Many rooms of the hotel overlook the Cheltenham Racecourse, and there is a direct path from the hotel that leads to course. Cheltenham, a large spa town is a 17-minute drive away.

See More Location

Rooms

Stylish, luxurious rooms and suites with classically English decor housed in four separate buildings

The luxurious rooms of Ellenborough Park are divided into several categories: Traditional, Classic, Luxury, and De Luxe; there are also four suites named after famous racehorses. Note that rooms are located in four separate buildings on the property, so a short walk is often required. Rooms feature classically English decor in soft colors, delicate wallpapers, antique furnishings, and specially made Hypnos beds with luxurious Egyptian cotton sheets and premium bedding. Some rooms have four-poster beds and fireplaces, as well as private patios. Many have lovely views over the grounds or Cheltenham Racecourse. All rooms are equipped with modern amenities including flat-screen TVs, iPod docks, minibars, and free Wi-Fi. Beautiful bathrooms are stocked with Noble Isle bath products and have walk-in showers or soaking tubs (some have both).

Suites are spacious and luxurious, with period furniture, and some with stone fireplaces and oak paneling or exposed wood beams. A duplex suite is available with a private lounge on a separate floor.

See More Rooms

Features

Two fine dining restaurants, an Indian-themed spa, heated outdoor pool, small fitness room, and 90 acres of green grounds

Ninety acres of grassy lawns and gardens surround Ellenborough Park, with plenty of lovely corners to relax in, as well as a heated outdoor pool. Guests wishing to walk or hike about the vast property are invited to borrow Hunter and Dubarry boots and coats from the hotel’s Boot Room.

The beautiful Indian-themed full-service spa has seven treatment rooms, a whirlpool, sauna, steam room, and mood showers. There is also a fitness room on-site that --while small -- is equipped with a number of modern machines. The property also has several event spaces and meeting rooms, and often hosts weddings, conferences, banquets, and various other events. The hotel can arrange various activities in the area, including horse riding, archery, fishing trips, golf, and Cotswolds tours.

There are two dining options at the hotel: the Beaufort Dining Room, awarded with 3 AA rosettes and serving a modern, indulgent, British menu courtesy of chef David Kelman in an elegant, oak-paneled space with original Tudor fireplaces and stained glass windows, and the more casual Brassiere where equine paintings adorn the walls and burgers and British classics fill the menu. There have been complaints, however, about slow and lackluster service in the dining establishments. The adjoining bar serves excellent cocktails, such as the namesake Lady Ellenborough, as well as a wide selection of whiskies and cigars. Afternoon tea is available and served in the Great Hall, the Beaufort Dining Room, or the Beaufort Terrace. A tasty breakfast is included in the room rate and 24-hour room service is available.

See More Features

Oyster Hotel Review

Ellenborough Park

Scene

Luxurious country hotel in a historic building surrounded by 90 acres of beautiful grounds

Ellenborough Park is a majestic sight to behold: This 15th-century manor house in the early Tudor style is festooned with towers, turrets, and arches, and surrounded by 90 acres of green and grassy National Trust land. It has had several different incarnations over its long history, having served as the home to the Earl of Ellenborough, a girls’ school, and the Hotel De La Bere, before being purchased in 2008 and converted into the current luxury hotel. Comprising four buildings, the luxurious country estate is full of gardens and impeccably maintained lawns that overlook the Cheltenham Racecourse.

The Nina Campbell designed interiors mix contemporary style with traditional, old-world details such as beautiful original fireplaces and Gothic style traceried windows. The exquisite Great Hall is an opulent space bedecked with Oriel windows with stained glass detailing, regal oil paintings, a grand fireplace against a stone wall, and antique chandeliers suspended from dark teal and gold coffered ceilings. Vibrant colors and patterns on pillows, couches, and armchairs complement the beautiful Persian-style rug. A mezzanine level full of comfortable seating and Moorish decor overlooks the Great Hall.

The lavish decor that permeates the property is tastefully executed, so the interiors don’t feel fussy or stuffy, but stylish and luxurious. High attention to detail is seen throughout and there’s even a dedicated Boot Room where guests are encouraged to borrow a pair of Hunter wellies or Dubarry boots and coats for a countryside stroll. The property attracts a well-heeled clientele looking for a luxurious country retreat, as well as a number of visiting jockeys and horse trainers.

See More Scene

Location

Located in the village of Southam, just outside of Cheltenham in the Cotswolds

Ellenborough Park is located in the village of Southam, just outside Cheltenham in the Cotswold Hills. Surrounded by 90 acres of green and grassy National Trust land, the estate is a peaceful country retreat and a good base for exploring the quaint and charming towns and villages of the bucolic Cotswolds. Many rooms of the hotel overlook the Cheltenham Racecourse, and there is a direct path from the hotel that leads to course. Cheltenham, a large spa town is a 17-minute drive away.

See More Location

Rooms

Stylish, luxurious rooms and suites with classically English decor housed in four separate buildings

The luxurious rooms of Ellenborough Park are divided into several categories: Traditional, Classic, Luxury, and De Luxe; there are also four suites named after famous racehorses. Note that rooms are located in four separate buildings on the property, so a short walk is often required. Rooms feature classically English decor in soft colors, delicate wallpapers, antique furnishings, and specially made Hypnos beds with luxurious Egyptian cotton sheets and premium bedding. Some rooms have four-poster beds and fireplaces, as well as private patios. Many have lovely views over the grounds or Cheltenham Racecourse. All rooms are equipped with modern amenities including flat-screen TVs, iPod docks, minibars, and free Wi-Fi. Beautiful bathrooms are stocked with Noble Isle bath products and have walk-in showers or soaking tubs (some have both).

Suites are spacious and luxurious, with period furniture, and some with stone fireplaces and oak paneling or exposed wood beams. A duplex suite is available with a private lounge on a separate floor.

See More Rooms

Features

Two fine dining restaurants, an Indian-themed spa, heated outdoor pool, small fitness room, and 90 acres of green grounds

Ninety acres of grassy lawns and gardens surround Ellenborough Park, with plenty of lovely corners to relax in, as well as a heated outdoor pool. Guests wishing to walk or hike about the vast property are invited to borrow Hunter and Dubarry boots and coats from the hotel’s Boot Room.

The beautiful Indian-themed full-service spa has seven treatment rooms, a whirlpool, sauna, steam room, and mood showers. There is also a fitness room on-site that --while small -- is equipped with a number of modern machines. The property also has several event spaces and meeting rooms, and often hosts weddings, conferences, banquets, and various other events. The hotel can arrange various activities in the area, including horse riding, archery, fishing trips, golf, and Cotswolds tours.

There are two dining options at the hotel: the Beaufort Dining Room, awarded with 3 AA rosettes and serving a modern, indulgent, British menu courtesy of chef David Kelman in an elegant, oak-paneled space with original Tudor fireplaces and stained glass windows, and the more casual Brassiere where equine paintings adorn the walls and burgers and British classics fill the menu. There have been complaints, however, about slow and lackluster service in the dining establishments. The adjoining bar serves excellent cocktails, such as the namesake Lady Ellenborough, as well as a wide selection of whiskies and cigars. Afternoon tea is available and served in the Great Hall, the Beaufort Dining Room, or the Beaufort Terrace. A tasty breakfast is included in the room rate and 24-hour room service is available.

See More Features

Best Rates

Amenities

  • Air Conditioner

  • Babysitting Services

  • Balcony / Terrace / Patio

  • Business Center

  • Concierge

  • Dry Cleaning

  • Fitness Center

  • Free Breakfast

  • Gameroom / Arcade

  • Internet

  • Jacuzzi

  • Kids Allowed

  • Meeting / Conference Rooms

  • Mini Bar (with liquor)

  • Pets Allowed

  • Pool

  • Poolside Drink Service

  • Room Service

  • Separate Bedroom / Living Room Space

  • Spa

  • Supervised Kids Activities

Disclaimer: This content was accurate at the time the hotel was reviewed. Please check our partner sites when booking to verify that details are still correct.