The Best Hotels in Cheltenham for Every Traveller

Named after Queen Victoria, the Queens Hotel has hit royally high standards since it opened in July 1838. Modelled on the Temple of Jupiter in Rome, its architecture is decidedly palatial. Guests stay in one of 84 individually styled rooms, which combine period architecture with contemporary stylings. For a truly British experience – one Her Royal Highness would surely approve of – take to the Duke’s Tea Room for a cuppa and something sweet.

With its grand white stucco facade, Malmaison fits in well with aristocratic Cheltenham. Inside, however, rooms reject the traditional with bursts of colour and statement prints. Guests can enjoy breakfast, lunch and dinner at the in-house Chez Mal Brasserie, which serves a global mix of modern cuisines. In the evening, the hotel bar is the place to sip seasonal cocktails fashioned by Malchemists behind the counter.

Encapsulating quintessential British luxury, Ellenborough Park is a 15th-century country estate of oak beams, stone fireplaces and stained glass windows. Suites are unique but make the most of the property’s original furnishings and architecture. With the Cotswolds on your doorstep, there are plenty of country trails and undulating hillside to explore. But most will be happy spending their afternoons in the hotel’s five-star gastro pub – particularly on a Sunday, when it serves a delicious traditional roast.

No. 38 the Park occupies a Georgian townhouse in Pittville, a leafy corner of Cheltenham. Each of its 13 rooms are decorated with one-off artworks, antiques and artefacts. Breakfast comes in the form of a continental buffet – freshly baked pastries and jams – or you can order from the à la carte menu. Close to the racecourse, it’s ideal come Gold Cup season. The walk there, and stumble back, takes around 15 minutes.

Based in the Montpellier district, this chic Cheltenham hotel – part of a respected portfolio of getaways in the UK – is ideal for exploring town. Its 49 rooms are individually styled but come with deep baths and fine Egyptian linen. Spend your days dipping in and out of the nearby independent boutiques and your nights frequenting the local restaurants. If you don’t fancy leaving the hotel, however, there’s an on-site bistro serving classic French dishes.

A nirvana for golf fans, the DoubleTree is perched right on the edge of the Lilley Brook Golf Course. Before your day on the greens, fill up with a continental or cooked breakfast at the Lakeside restaurant, which has calming views over Lilley Brook Lake. Those uninterested in three-irons and pitching wedges can exchange a morning tee time for afternoon tea at the Lilley Brook Bar & Lounge. An on-site spa offers facials, massages and waxes.

Perched on the edge of the Cotswolds, Delta Hotels straddles both town and country. In under 15 minutes you can drive into Cheltenham’s centre. Alternatively, the undulating countryside is right on your doorstep. Whatever you choose, there’s a room with power showers and tea-making facilities upon your return. The hotel also has a spa where guests can unwind with facials, mani-pedis and body treatments.

Live out your romance novel dreams with a stay in this 16th-century Elizabethan manor. The beautiful exterior – Cotswold stone warmed by a waterfall of ivy – hints at further splendour inside. Its 21 rooms are mostly decorated with muted tones but complemented by beautiful period furnishings. Surrounded by landscaped gardens, this is very much a country retreat, despite being a mere 10-minute drive away from the centre of Cheltenham. The hotel also has the Garden Room Restaurant, which serves a seasonal, contemporary British menu.

Sitting on a peaceful, tree-lined avenue in Pittville, Cotswold Grange is equally close to Cheltenham Racecourse and the town centre – so, horses or shopping? While you decide, unwind in the gardens next to the ornamental fish pond. Rooms are peaceful yet interesting, with splashes of colour providing cheer among the neutrals. When not relaxing in the room, head to the award-winning restaurant, which serves modern British cuisine.

The Victorian-era Lypiatt House acts as an elegant getaway to Cheltenham’s Montpellier district. A short walk away are the trendy area’s boutique shops and restaurants. Cheltenham is not party central, but you will find bars to take you into the night. The hotel itself is elegantly decorated – retaining its original charm while introducing contemporary stylings and furnishings. On-site parking is available should you wish to head into the nearby countryside.