The LOWDOWN

Squirrelled away on the edge of the Cotswolds, take a turn down a grand, sweeping driveway and you’re met with The Greenway Hotel and Spa. If you want somewhere that ticks the ‘dreamy getaway’ box, this mini-Downton bolthole set in glorious Gloucestershire countryside, is a hot contender.

Set in eight acres of lush grounds, this 16th century country house hotel is so peaceful it feels like you’re staying on a remote country estate (you can literally hear a pin drop), yet the main road it’s off takes you to the buzzy attractions of Cheltenham in just a few minutes. Infact it is this prime location – managing to straddle both the city or country getaway vibe – that gives it a real advantage.

Competition for the Cotswold coin is fierce, the Greenway was previously perhaps a bit under the radar, with big surrounding players hogging its limelight somewhat, but it has recently upped its game spectacularly – with a £1.2 million pound renovation.

Owned by the Eden Hotel Collection, who also own swanky getaway gems such as Brockencote Hall in Worcs and Bovey Castle in Devon, the Greenway boasts a 4 AA Red Star rating, a stand-out spa with new, infinity-style alfresco hot tub and now 21 luxxed-up bedrooms to stay in.

THE VIBE

Elegant, but not showy; classy but not stuffy. Greenway manages to pull off a really warm feeling from the moment you arrive. You’re met with a super stylish reception area, the welcome was so friendly, making check in feel relaxed and stress-free. Even the Muddy doggo was impressed, given a goodybag with a dino-teddy and treats on arrival. I should mention that dogs aren’t allowed in the new rooms (there are doggy friendly ones however), but I had him with me during the day as the grounds are lovely for a walk.

The interior feels like you have stepped into the pages of Country Living, all muted, elegant fabrics mingling with big stripy sofas and deep wingback chairs. There are also quite curious pops of art deco and classical art around, including a replica of Michelangelo’s David in all his glory leading to the spa.

The main lounge was one of my favourite spaces, perfect for spending a few hours gazing through the floor to ceiling windows at the beautiful gardens. There is a smallish, quite traditional-looking bar which leads out onto a terrace which was a divine place to sit on the sun-dappled afternoon we visited.

Myself and Mr Muddy took full advantage of the excellent house cocktails of course – I really recommend the Greenway Martini which is made with leaves from the old bay tree in the grounds, and the hedonistic Orange & Chocolate Espresso Martini. Surrounded by scented wisteria, enjoying a sundowner on this sun trap terrace looking out over to Cleeve Hill, just felt so heavenly.

If you love the whole country house hotel feel on a getaway, this place is perfect, managing that hard-to-achieve luxe yet relaxed vibe.

THE SPA

I am slightly obsessed with checking out the hot tub whenever I am reviewing, and I love, love, love the new one at Greenway’s Elan Spa.

What was previously an adequate but cramped Scandi style tub, has been replaced by this bubbly beauty. I could have spent hours in here gently boiling myself into a prune-like state. I couldn’t bring myself to get out it was so lovely (Mr Muddy had to drag me out) with an infinity-style water level and the balmiest of temperatures.

I spent the afternoon going between the hot tub and indoor pool which is also really stunning, there is also a thermal suite, sauna and steam room if you’re unlike me and like to work up a sweat. The new-look Ibiza style courtyard has comfy, lounging sofas, and lots of people were just lolling around on them in fluffy dressing gowns and slippers.

I had no idea there is a funky Champagne bar café here – The Spa Café – but it is really cool. With quirky Champagne bottles lining the walls, it’s a lovely place to hang out, try one of the inspired bento boards, delicious afternoon teas or delve into the selection of wines, cocktails and fizz. I made a mental note to definitely return with girlfriends for a ‘fizz and fun’ chill-out day soon.

I had to try a treatment too of course, and Rocks of the Mediterranean caught my eye. This massage is a slice of utter heaven if you need something intense to unfurl those knots. I could feel the week’s stresses melt away as real volcanic Basalt stones were massaged into energy points up and down my body, trust me, you genuinely have to try this once in your life. The Champagne & Truffles Facial (starting from £89 for 55 minutes) also looked amazing, along with Go Guy, a men’s treatment to keep your other half happy.

SCOFF & QUAFF

The Garden Room Restaurant is an award-winning 4 AA Rosette dining destination. Continuing the country house theme, it is set in a beautiful and traditional oak panelled dining room with views out across a sunken garden, ornate lily pond and lawns.

A nicely curated choice of dishes is changed seasonally and regularly, with local produce brought in where possible including fruit, veg and herbs from Greenway’s own kitchen garden which you can stroll around in the grounds.

Head chef is Abhijit Dasalkar, an award-winning, super-creative chef, with a love for Indian-accented cuisine and wow-factor presentation, if you like your food Insta-amazing your grid is in for a treat – how beautiful are these dishes?

food at the greenway hotel and spa in glos

We went for the Rassam & Prawn to start – incredible grilled tiger black prawns with a curry emulsion and coconut chutney, which were a refreshingly unusual taste of India in this tucked away corner of the Cotswolds. I had a Cornish Crab Salad with brown crab bavarois and apple, again another delicious dish with serious cordon bleu vibes.

For mains it was the Cornish Cod for me which came with a fantastic whoop of a wasabi kick and mussels, and Mr Muddy had the Ox Cheek, an incredibly tender stout-braised piece of meat with a potato puree.

The menu is short, sweet and tightly curated, but everything feels so well thought out and crafted. Desserts were divine and so beautiful, it was hard to destroy them.

I finished with a sweet, syrupy doughnut creation adorned with the sweetest of edible flowers (from the garden here), and my other half had Chocolate & Passionfruit, a milk chocolate crémeux with ‘textures’ (oo so fancy!) of passionfruit and white chocolate aero. I hold my hands up – there literally was no time to photograph it it was so good. My bad. But trust me, it looked amazing.

Eating here felt like a deliciously fine dining experience, the dishes are artistic but you’re not left hungry, so if you want something elevated from the humdrum hotel fare, you’ll love it.

The Greenway also one of the best Champagne and wine lists I’ve ever seen. As well as a really interesting range of world wines – and local ones such as Poulton Hill Estate – there is the sexiest of fizz menus. We’re talking the famous Veuve Clicquot ‘Yellow Label’ by the glass or bottle, and there’s even vintage champagnes if you’re really splashing out, from £199 per bottle.

Breakfast needs a shout out all of its very own, the full shebang is up for shovelling down if you have any room from the night before (unlikely), I had a simple but delicious granola, pepped up with fresh berries, with the view of dreams for a morning flat white over the Cotswold hills.

PILLOW TALK

There are 21 individually styled rooms at The Greenway Hotel & Spa, give it a lovely cosy getaway feel and they have been beautifully and stylishly spruced up in the £1.2 million revamp, with contemporary twists and colour pops, yet nothing jarring or too ‘try hard’ for a country house of its elegance, so it’s pitched just right.

Want to go all out and go for real wow-factor? Book one of the five Master Rooms in the main Manor House, all with far-reaching views through the old casement windows.

Our room was simply enormous and felt incredibly luxe yet homely. There were complimentary artisan biscuits and hand made chocolates to feast on (I did), complimentary bottled water and a fancy coffee machine, with a little jug of plant based milk (they’re very good at catering for all whims here) in the fridge. The only thing I’d have loved would have been much plumper, feathery pillows, but when I called down at god-knows-what-o’clock, to their absolute credit housekeeping had sorted me a couple out within 10 minutes.

The huge bathroom with his-and-hers sinks, rainforest shower and roll-top slipper bath was a total beauty too.

WHAT ELSE?

If you’ve got a special event book The Hide, this exclusive outdoor sanctuary tucked away in the grounds is the picture-perfect place for dream weddings, intimate celebrations, and private dining or an Afternoon Tea party for up to 12 guests.

DOG FRIENDLY?

The staff are so welcoming to your pooch here, with pawsome guests getting a welcome letter, a dog bed, bowl, toy and chew on arrival. But make sure to request a dog-friendly room, as the newly refurbed rooms don’t allow muddy paws!

OUT AND ABOUT

The perfect location if you don’t want to lob all your eggs into a city or country basket. Sitting in the leafy rural suburb of Shurdington, you are equidistant from both. There isn’t much actually in Shurdington (although there is a really great garden centre worth a visit), but just nearby you’ll fine the pretty towns of Painswick and Nailsworth, wander the amazing Farmer’s Market every Saturday in Stroud, tour the famous Painswick Rocccco Garden or take a walk on the National Trust’s stunning Rodborough Common.

Head the other way into Cheltenham for all the glitzy boutiques and bars you could desire, catch a show at The Everyman Theatre or take a cultural wander around The Wilson Art Gallery, or one of the many festivals on here year round.

THE DAMAGE

A Master bedroom in the main house starts from around £202 per night, but there are six types of stay, ranging from classic rooms to the amazing honeymoon suite, so you can pick your price bracket.

Our three course meal (£59.95 pp) with a bottle of starter-price Pinot Grigio Rosé (£25) came to £144.90 for two. Pricy maybe, but absolutely worth every morsel, and especially if you want a meal to remember for a special occasion. Feeling less flush? You can always opt for the two course meal menu, for £46.50 pp.

THE VERDICT

Good for:

Perfect for girly breaks, spa lovers, champagne fans, date nights. Since the swanky upgrade to rooms and the spa it’s a hot contender for a luxe getaway. The quality of the dining under Abhijit Dasalkar is a massive plus, you’ll go away feeling like you’ve experienced something special. Weddings or parties here would be gorgeous too.

Not for: Hard to say, as it ticks many boxes, but modern design mavens won’t be sated here, this place is all about refined country house chic.

Want to see more? Check out my reel on Insta here.

The Greenway Hotel and Spa, Shurdington, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire GL51 4UG. Tel: 01242 862352, email: info@thegreenway.co.uk

Review: The Greenway Hotel & Spa, Cheltenham

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