HOTELS
Words by Paul Thomas Gardens,while the impressive
modern bathroom provides
ample luxury to augment the
taupe,light greys velvet redsAMOUS for
and golds of tapestried andits grand, neo-
heavy draped original Regency
windows.Fclassical
Comfortable,spacious andfacade overlooking
accessible from the impressivethe Imperial
central staircase adorned with
racing oils and watercolours itGardens on
was a home from home.AndCheltenham’s
although you are near to the
centre of town, traffic noise isfamous Promenade,
limited to a distant hum.The Mercure
Built in 1838 on the site ofQueen’s Hotel is
the Sherborne,or Imperial
Spa, which had to be moved, itdelightfully situated
cost £47,000. Designed by thein the Montpellier
Jearrad brothers, modelled on
the Temple of Jupiter in Rome,region of this
and its first lessee payingbeautiful spa town.
£2,100 a year it still didn’tAnd The Queen’s Hotel
prosper.In 1852 it was sold forsits resplendant and
just £8,400 and afterimposing as its Regency
improvements reopened tohistory demands.
great applause.Hotels are funny places.
Guests have includedThey have to be all things
Edward VII, Prince Louisto all people.We all have
Jerome Napoleon, Elgar,Sirideas about what we expect
Arthur Conan Doyle,Generalfrom where we want to stay
Napier and many more.and how we want to be
Outside the main entrancetreated.
stands one of the pair ofCheltenham is one of the
plinths on which guns capturedfirst Spa towns,generally
at Sebastapol were mounted.built in the 1830s and The
A mere stroll fromQueen’s is undoubtedly one
Montpellier’s bars andof its crowned jewels. the hotel is easy with just a few steps
restaurants and the town’s manyIt would be difficult to find fault from car to hotel door.Luggage is taken
excellent shops and boutiques andwith this pleasure palace at the heart to your room for you of course.Further
eateries,this stylish hotel is an absoluteof this convivial Cotswold longer-term parking is within a
joy management should be proud of.centrepiece. barriered car park at the hotel’s side just
It is located on the edge of theYou cannot be disappointed with a few yards away.
Cotswolds and is generally regarded asthe exceptional way in which Lunch in the ornate ground floor side
respectable and wealthy. It has been aMercure has substantially increased wing of the hotel is superb.Agood
health and holiday spa town resort sinceboth the internal décor of its rooms selection of new and old world wines at
the discovery of mineral springs there inor the way in which it has enthused decent prices plus a good house wine
1716.its staffin the way of making its awaits.
Internationally,Cheltenham isguests feel very important and Marta, the delightful Polish restaurant
probably best known for its horse racingwelcome indeed. manager,is bright, beautifully turned out
and in particular the CheltenhamAs you enter the ornate entrance and great around the menu. The crab
Festival. Its timing is a happy co-hall you are greeted by Mauro. The pasta starter is sublime,loin of pork with
incidence with St Patrick’s Day ensuresMilanese receptionist busily learning fresh seasonal vegetables excellent, the
that the town swells with an influx ofEnglish smiles broadly and generously fresh Salmon spot on. Add to this a crisp,
Irish horseracing devotees.Ifyou wantbrings you into a world you would good aged Chablis and lunch is glorious.
to get into The Queen’s Hotel bookvery much like to be part of.Mauro In the evening the sirloin steak and red
early,as year on year it is fully booked forcould easily have stepped offa mullet with Chataeu neuf du pape was
the Festival.Hollywood film set. But the first thing ideal for pre-theatre dinner in the Napier
With Cheltenham’s many music, arts,you realise when you are in Italy itself Restaurant and conservatory with the
literature and food festivals throughoutis that even the dustmen seem like excellent Rachel.
the year this hotel is glorious tothat. Whether it’s Mauro or the The Queen Charlotte room was
experience with availability for largequintessential Englishman, Steve everything you are looking for in a place
functions and weddings or intimateLewis,who greets you at front of to rest. Mercure have been, frankly
breaks and family get togethers.house you are not disappointed. mercurial, in redesigning,redecorating
Knowledgeable,friendly,efficient but and realigning their rooms to fit their For more information and booking details
not fawning,The Queen’s has two impeccable credentials. telephone 0870 4008107 or look for
excellent heralds of entry here who State of the art flat screen TV adorns The Queen’s Hotel under
www.mercure.com
set the seal on an impeccable stay. a room which retains the elegance of a
Parking outside the main doors to bygone age and a view over the Imperial
www.cotswoldessence.co.uk 23COTSWOLDESSENCE September - November 2008
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