On the outside, the grand 17th century façade of The Elms Hotel and Spa is like many other picturesque country house hotels surrounded by lush lawns and formal gardens. But as soon as you step inside this pretty hotel’s lobby, you’re whisked off to a magical woodland world where creativity is celebrated and inventive ingenuity is everywhere to be seen
Hotel
On the outskirts of the cute and quiet Worcestershire village of Abberley, The Elms is an impressive baroque building designed by Gilbert White of Worcester and named after the elm trees that once lined the driveway, today replaced with large limes either side.
Taken on by the Abberley Hall Estate in 1840, the country house remained as part of the estate until it was sold onto a racehorse breeder almost 100 years later, and was extended before a fire gutted the home and left just the main walls standing. It was rebuilt and launched as a hotel in 1946.
In 2020, The Elms reopened following a huge multimillion-pound renovation project which saw the 24-bedroom hotel transformed into a whimsical woodland wonderland. Today, boujee décor meets historic architecture in this modern take on a quintessential and classic manor house. The boutique hotel now offers luxurious accommodation, a stunning spa, and relaxing dining facilities for guests to enjoy.
Room
We were staying in a first-floor Epicurean Suite with double-aspect views over the gardens and, wow, what a room! Here, contemporary art meets high-end design, classic style, and ostentatious flare. The suite is well-proportioned, with vast dimensions and four huge traditional windows, and plenty of space to relax, pamper and sleep. Thick drapes frame the windows, and wooden panelling and decorative cornicing add traditional grandeur to the room which is finished with classy furniture.
The room was finished with contemporary artwork and a spectacular chandelier with cascading delicate shards of glass like raindrops falling from the ceiling.
There’s a cosy lounge with a large sofa and coffee table for enjoying a morning coffee and read of the paper. A large flatscreen TV is mounted to the wall and has access to the normal channels, as well as apps such as iPlayer and Netflix. There are desk and vanity areas to work or get ready, before a step up onto a platform which defines the relaxation area.
A sumptuous king-sized bed with an enormous velvet headboard provides an incredibly comfortable place to rest and sleep. There’s also a romantic free-standing rolltop bath for long, bubbly soaks after a busy day and a stunning marble-finished bathroom with rainfall shower and Elemis products.
Each of the individually-designed and styled bedrooms are opulent and luxe, but still boast glimpses of the traditional country home that has hosted the landed gentry for centuries. Underneath the lavish and flamboyant grandeur of the bedrooms there’s still an historic house filled with stories and memories; complete with rickety floorboards, vast windows and high ceilings.
Spa
The Greenhouse Spa is an explosion of a botanical beauty. The relaxing oasis – which has been awarded an exclusive five bubble rating by the Good Spa Guide – is bursting full of earthy tones, rustic wood and wicker baskets, leafy designs and more foliage than you might see in most hotel gardens!
Exploring the two-storey spa is like wandering through an enchanted woodland. Greenery tumbles from the ceiling and walls, plants climb up manicure stations and around the bathroom’s sinks and mirrors, while oversized plants tumble out of scattered pots, vases and urns. The jungle vibe continues throughout – from the pretty reception area and shop to the relaxing lounge and the main pool atrium; an exposed wooden vaulted-ceiling above large windows overlooking the real-life flowerbeds and lawns that inspired the finish inside.
There’s a large sparkling swimming pool with tiled steps easing you into the warm water and a powerful jet to help knead your neck and shoulders. Foliage cascades from hanging planters and suspended platforms overhead, and each corner is decorated to emulate a much-loved gardener’s greenhouse.
We sat in the whirling jets of the indoor/outdoor Jacuzzi which bubbles with warmth; first inside in the heat of the sun-drenched space before pushing through the door and relaxing outside in the cool misty rain. There’s also a sauna and steam room, and lots of cosy sofas and seating areas for guests to relax; although we did miss plush loungers where we could really sit back and laze for hours with magazines.
The state-of-the-art gym is housed in a separate building with an outside weight room and punching bag, and there’s also a studio for classes and activities. There’s a cosy and quiet relaxation lounge, sunny roof terrace, and well-stocked drinks station with tea, coffee, cool water infused with lime, and fresh apples to munch on. Each treatment room is like a secluded woodland glade set deep within the forest. A peaceful, private sanctuary; the dark room is lit softly as if small shards of sunlight are creeping through cracks in the leafy canopy overhead.
I had a New Beginnings massage with Izzy to help ease my rapidly growing and aching pregnant body. It was a relaxing treat from top to toe; starting with a foot cleanse, before moving into a relaxing full body massage – her delicate touch gently rubbing my aching muscles – finishing with a wonderful scalp massage and mini facial rub. Her warm, soft hands glided over my skin and tenderly kneaded the knots out of my back, easing the aches of pregnancy.
Food
After a relaxing day by the pool, the hotel hosts drinks and nibbles in the stylish lounge and bar. The wide-ranging menu provides options for all tastes – both alcoholic and non-alcoholic – and a bustling vibe as guests chatter and laugh with their friends and family.
The woodland theme continues in Badgers, the snug and intimate restaurant next door where we headed for a delicious dinner. The menu is simple but appetising, offering gastropub-like options and dishes celebrating the best of British flavours. We tried the thick, creamy and rich mushroom to start, alongside the smooth and light goats’ cheese salad, served with red onion chutney.
Next, it was fish and chips – which was coated in light but crunchy batter and served with mushy peas and tartare sauce – as well as the salmon fillet with Thai broth, tagliatelle, bok choi and sugar snap peas. While the salmon was cooked nicely and the vegetables had a tasty bite to them, the broth was disappointingly bland. To finish, we chose the sweet and sharp lemon tart, and the mouth-watering chocolate and banana delice.
As if that wasn’t enough food, we were back in Badgers the following morning for a reinvigorating breakfast. A buffet of cereals, pastries and fruit can be perused while you sip on warm coffee or sweet fruit juice. I tried the hotel’s sweet and sticky homemade granola with natural yoghurt and honey, before ordering the vegetarian cooked breakfast consisting of veggie sausages, baked beans, spinach, hash brown, and eggs.
In a nutshell
There’s more than meets the eye here at The Elms. The pretty but normal exterior blends with ease into its country setting, but inside the hotel’s originality and unique flare is clear for all to see. One thing’s for sure, if you visit The Elms, you won’t forget your stay!
Factbox
Rooms at The Elms Hotel and Spa start from £169 per night, bed and breakfast.
Address: The Elms, Stockton Road, Abberley, Worcester WR6 6AT
Phone: 01299 896666
Website: theelmshotel.co.uk
