Checking in to Ellenborough Park Hotel

Taking the garden path to the period-perfect entrance of Ellenborough Park Hotel, I am, quite literally, stopped in my tracks by the striking equine sculpture by artist Nic Fiddian Green. It offers a dynamic preview of what this property is all about – a unique blend of history, art, contemporary design, along with a thoughtful nod to its equine neighbourhood.

Image credit: Ellenborough Park Hotel

The standout view from the property is a sweeping vista over Cheltenham Racecourse – there’s even a private path for guests that leads directly there – but I would recommend you raid the DuBarry Boot Room tucked away in a cosy corner of the hotel before braving the great outdoors! Adequately attired, you can be sure to fit like the proverbial glove – or in this case beautifully stitched boot – into the Cheltenham scene, as if you had stepped out of the pages of a Jilly Cooper novel (anyone else watched Rivals recently..?)

Image credit: Ellenborough Park Hotel

But rest assured, if like me you don’t know your forelock from your fetlock, there is plenty to draw you into this property. It is both a retreat and spa destination, and has been designed with this in mind. Aside from the usual offerings of swimming pools and saunas, the recent addition of the Spa Garden Retreat – a secluded secret garden complete with sauna, hot tub and of course, lashings of champagne –  adds another layer to the country house hotel narrative.

During a tour of the property with Marwan Hemchaoui,  General Manager at Ellenborough Park Hotel since 2018, he explained how the hotel, like many others, began thinking outside the box during the pandemic. Some of these innovations have now become integral to its design DNA. For instance, by maximising outdoor options on the south lawn, post-pandemic guests can enjoy an extended al fresco season, complete with outdoor dining carriages and a trademark Taittinger trailer bar.

Hemchaoui oversaw the refurbishment of all 61 bedrooms in 2023 to mark the hotel’s tenth anniversary, a period also highlighted by the launch of the Spa Garden Retreat and the hotel’s first private residence, The Lodge. Throughout the conversation, it was clear that while Hemchaoui is understandably proud of the hotel’s history, he is also committed to developing new concepts and design elements to enhance the sense of exclusivity and luxury that underpins the guest experience here.

Image credit: Ellenborough Park Hotel

Stepping across the threshold, the hotel’s design, while deeply rooted in its rich heritage, presents a lighter, more modern touch. Spaces feel open and welcoming, with natural light pouring through dramatic period windows, highlighting both historical features and contemporary elements in equal measure. While the hotel maintains a classical aesthetic, there is an infusion of both contemporary art and lighting. Sculptures, abstract paintings, and thoughtfully curated fittings provide a contrast, lightening the historical weight of the property.

While the property recently underwent a strong refresh by designer Ilze Reinke, the feature staircase with the double-volume whimsical Cotswold scene mural was part of the original 2010 redesign by Nina Campbell. This staircase and mural remain a beautiful statement piece, illuminated by bespoke chandeliers, and provides the perfect transition from public spaces to bedroom suites, seamlessly bringing elements of the outside landscape indoors.

All 61 bedrooms have been given a new lease on life from the drawing board of the designer – combining her trademark colour, pattern and texture, the rooms deliver the right balance of period detail with contemporary accents. Reinke’s designs allow the history to weave through, while bringing a breath of fresh air into the design, adding interest and energy.

Image credit: Ellenborough Park Hotel

The starting point of the refresh for each room was something existing – a chair, a piece of wallpaper, or a colour. One of her biggest challenges in working with the guestrooms was the deep research necessary to match or find complementary colours for heritage schemes – allowing the designer to keep as much as possible and avoiding throwing out the existing elements for the sake of novelty.

The generous ensuite bathrooms maintain the strong period design, and like the bedroom, the design is about luxury and comfort with space to both wallow and waltz should one have the inclination to do so…

Image credit: Ellenborough Park Hotel

The design at Ellenborough Park Hotel is possibly best explained through its art collection, which drew me in at every corner and on every wall, from the grand statement landscapes in the entrance, to the delightful portraits in the bathroom. This is clearly a collection curated to complement both the hotel’s rich history and its more recent reimaginings. The art is diverse and engaging, and is the perfect vehicle to integrate all the elements of history, art, and contemporary design – it nods to the storied past of the property, while adding to the sense that this is a place that continues to grow with its caretakers, adapting to the seasons.

Main image credit: Ellenborough Park Hotel