Ah, escaping to the countryside for a mini-break, it’s all very Bridget Jones isn’t it? Our Writer Stacey Wright heads to Stratford-upon-Avon to review the stunning Menzies Welcombe Hotel Spa & Golf Club – and it didn’t disappoint.
Set in the beautiful rural Warwickshire countryside, the Menzies Welcombe Hotel Spa & Golf Club is positioned at the northern tip of The Cotswolds and is the ultimate country house retreat. The hotel – which stands in 157 acres of beautiful grounds – was originally built in 1866 and offers some of the finest leisure facilities in the heart of England, including an 18-hole championship golf course, tennis courts and a luxurious spa.
We stayed in the Newby Suite, situated in the Trevelyan wing of the hotel, with views of the pretty Italian landscaped gardens. The suite consisted of three separate rooms – a lounge, spacious bathroom and a double bedroom – and a long hallway complete with a floor-length mirror (a must for us girls)! The lounge area included a sofa (which turns into a sofa-bed for extra guests), two armchairs, a large Apple iMac computer and desk, a flat screen TV with a range of Sky channels plus the usual tea and coffee making facilities.
Aside from the exclusive suites, other rooms available at the hotel include double, king or twin rooms, executive rooms, four-poster rooms and nearby apartments – so there’s something for everyone.
During our two-night stay we were keen to try out some of the hotel’s facilities.
Standing adjacent to the Jacobean style hotel was The Menzies Welcombe Spa – an enjoyable way to spend a morning. The Spa features a swimming pool, a separate external vitality pool, four thermal experience rooms, a gymnasium, aerobics studio and a selection of tranquil Clarins and Elemis treatment rooms offering a range of treatment options. The ambiance was just as you’d expect – mood lighting, twinkly candles and soothing music – the perfect timeout for guests.
For something a little more energetic you’ll appreciate the hotel’s impressive golf course, which offers a unique golfing experience for both beginners and experienced players. It was great to see they provided tuition packages, and we had a lesson with Matt Lilley – a PGA Golf Professional – who has a wealth of experience teaching players of all standards.
Evenings at the hotel were just as inviting. A spot of glamour was in order in the hotel’s AA rosette award-winning restaurant, which offers delightful views over the beautiful Italian gardens and water features. Stratford-upon-Avon’s stunning Welcombe Hills were also visible from our table and acted as the perfect backdrop over the stupendous food that was served! Just to make your mouth water, main dishes from the impressive a la carte menu included Gressingham Duck, Roast Cannon of Lamb, Marinated Breast of Corn-Fed Chicken, Home Smoked Fillet of Salmon and Hand Picked Cornish Crab and Avocado Salad – just divine!
Following dinner, guests could choose to relax in the impressive bar lounge with its inviting sofas and grand open fireplace or take an early evening stroll through the gardens. Taking in the views you can see why the hotel is a great venue for holding a wedding or a special celebration. There are 11 function suites accommodating up to 250 delegates making it ideal for meetings, corporate events and conferences too.
If you like to explore on your mini-breaks than this hotel also acts as an ideal base for visiting the nearby historic attractions. These include Shakespeare’s House, Stratford Butterfly Farm, Royal Shakespeare Theatre, Warwick Castle, Stoneleigh Abbey, The Cotswolds and much more!
Check out the hotel website for more info or learn more about Shakespeare’s England here