Ellenborough Park

We had booked a 3 night stay in a junior suite. The building was beautiful. The suite was lovely and very comfortable and was over 2 floors. I had to request the room to be serviced during the afternoon on the 2nd day as it had not been done. Three staff arrived and all they did was empty the bin and make the bed which took no more than 5 minutes . The bathroom was left completely untouched and towels just as we had left them in the morning. The mugs that we had our tea in were left dirty on the bathroom sink and no replacement of empty box of tissues. For a 5 star hotel there were no little touches in the bathroom such as amenity kits, shower caps etc. as in most other 5 star hotels.. The restaurant breakfast and evening dinner was very nice. Unfortunately we had to leave a day earlier than planned due a family emergency and asked if we could possibly have a one night credit for a future stay. We were made aware of the terms and conditions which we do accept but a gesture of some kind would have been nice. We also informed the Reservation Manager about the servicing (non servicing) of our room. Sadly it was a disappointing experience and the standard was definitely not 5 star. There is a lot of room for improvement.

The hotel is really beautiful, there are so many things to love. However the attention to detail is really lacking. We had a drink in the drawing room at lunch time, several hours later after our evening meal the table hadn't been cleaned. It was very dusty, basic things like a toilet brush and shower gel were not in the room. The robe in the bedroom had a gaping hole. We asked for Sauvignon Blanc and was made to feel our palletes were unrefined, they don't serve it. When I asked for a similar grape, I received a Lebanese £44 alternative that was unpleasant. The initial manager who we raised our concerns with was rude and dismissive, and during the evening meal spent the whole time engaged in conversation with the waitresses. We discussed it with the morning manager, Cleopatra, who was super kind and attentive. I would also like to say that the young man who took our cases was super professional and helpful, he actually should be talent managed.

The service upon arrival was exceptional, with a very welcome upgrade to a beautiful room in the main house overlooking the grounds and racecourse. The bathroom was huge with an excellent shower, and while the beds were on the soft side, they were still very comfortable. Due to unforeseen circumstances we had to cut our stay short, and the management team were understanding and accommodating, which we hugely appreciated. The hotel’s façade and grounds are truly impressive, and whilst we didn’t have the chance to use the spa, it looked inviting. A summer stay to make the most of the outdoor pool would be lovely, as would a winter visit with a roaring fire after a bracing walk. We ate in the brasserie, where the food was very good, although on the expensive side for what felt more like pub-grub. The atmosphere was lively, with tourists chatting about their day, but the space itself felt more pub than brasserie. The sticky tables (more to do with design than cleanliness) and slightly haphazard service were disappointing, and we felt the hotel could benefit from a more comfortable lounge-style space with softer lighting for relaxing both before and after dinner. Housekeeping could use more attention to detail. The dark wood showed dust easily, the fridge needed a good clean, and one bathroom had mould around the shower screen which was more a sign of ageing than cleanliness. The wing above the brasserie, where we stayed, felt quite tired overall — worn carpets, chipped paintwork and dated décor in the public spaces gave more of a “pub with rooms” feel. In contrast, breakfast the next morning introduced us to the wing behind reception, which felt much more in line with the website and expectations. Breakfast itself was excellent: plentiful, delicious, and thoughtfully presented, with a fun Bloody Mary station and nice touches for children. Dogs were also well catered for. Overall, Ellenborough Park has huge potential. From other reviews it seems the experience may vary depending on which wing you stay in. For us, it felt best suited to older guests or the many tourists visiting the area. With a refresh of certain areas and more consistency across the property, this could really live up to its luxury billing.

Went for afternoon tea food and service very good, sat in the atrium with the dog who also had a doggie meal. Worth a vist very nice place and dog friendly.

We came here last year for a little break and it was so lovely. We had a classic room in the main house which was gorgeous; the most comfortable room ever! Attentive friendly staff, delicious food (breakfast was a great selection) and a fantastic spa. Will definitely stay again when we come to the Cotswolds.