While on a recent webinar about Ellenborough Park Hotel, I saw the room above and told my husband, “I want to go there.” So was I ever shocked when I heard my name mentioned as having won the prize of a free night in a Luxury Room in this gorgeous venue, along with breakfast and a 3-course dinner for two! It’s a value of over $500 (depending on travel dates). I was one happy woman!
There’s just one problem. It’s only been five months since I returned from a 3-1/2 week trip to the UK and Ireland, so I’m having a hard time figuring out how to convince Al that I need to go back so soon.
That problem was solved when the hotel graciously allowed us to offer this to a client! So let me tell you a little about the hotel and this special offer that can go to someone who's receiving this blog (plus traveling companion).
Unless otherwise noted, all photos courtesy of Ellenborough Park Hotel
Ellenborough Park Hotel is set in a 15th century manor home and adjacent buildings, constructed of the honey-colored stone that is so typical of the Cotswolds. It’s located in Cheltenham, just a 20- to 30-minute drive through bucolic scenery to such quintessential Cotswolds villages as Stow-on-the-Wold and Bourton-on-the-Water, or a couple of my favorites: the rather less fortunately named Upper Slaughter and Lower Slaughter.
Though each room at the hotel is individually decorated, this photo of one of the Luxury Rooms will give you a good idea of quality and size (about 375 square feet) that you can expect.
The Restaurant, with its stained-glass Oriel windows and original Tudor fireplace, is where your complimentary 3-course dinner will be served.
You might also enjoy some lighter refreshments at The Atrium. Maybe try a Lady Ellenborough aperitif: an elegant concoction of cucumber, Hendrick's Gin, local Elderflower liqueur, lime, sugar syrup and champagne (I read that it was Veuve Clicquot, ummm).
Of course, afternoon tea is another option!
A Sampling of Things to Do
The Gloucestershire Warwickshire Steam Railway operates restored steam and heritage diesel trains between the Cheltenham Racecourse and Broadway, which is one of the larger Cotswolds villages. Imagine riding through such spectacular countryside and sleepy hamlets in a vintage rail car. (I think credit should be given to the preservation group and its all-volunteer operation!)
Gwsralex (CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons)
Watch horse-racing: Ellenborough Park has its own private road to the Cheltenham Racecourse.
If you prefer to be on a horse yourself, they offer 90-minute lessons so you can learn to play polo. (You don’t even have to be an accomplished rider.)
Take a Cotswolds Balloon Safari. The hot-air balloons take off from Ellenborough Park, so even if you don’t go up yourself, it’s fun to watch.
There are also helicopter sightseeing tours over the Cotswolds.
Perhaps one of the most fun options of all: guests can actually guide ducks around an obstacle course, or give commands to the well-trained border collie, who will use your instructions to herd them around it!
The hotel is within a 50-minute drive of Puzzlewood. A forest of ancient trees, its mile-plus maze of 19th century paths leads past strange rock formations and secret caves. Puzzlewood is believed to have inspired J. R. R. Tolkien's Middle-earth in The Lord of the Rings. It has appeared in a number of films, including Star Wars: The Force Awakens.
Pixabay photo by Susisorglos089
There’s so much more to tell, but I need to let you know how you can win this prize. There’s only one to give out, so if you’re interested, contact me and let me know what you have in mind for your trip to England. Here are the conditions:
This is open to those who would like us to help plan and book an upscale trip, including 4- to 5-star hotels, of at least a week or 10 days (though longer is fine), and incorporate this free night into the trip. Normal professional fees will apply, but they will be much less than the value of this giveaway. If a client would like to add it to an existing trip we’ve already booked, then we may be able to waive these restrictions.
The prize is valid for a Sunday – Thursday stay of one night, subject to availability, between now and February 28, 2019.
Preference will be given to those clients who have repeatedly used us for booking their travels (that’s only fair). But if none of them is going to England this year, it’s open to everyone. So if you’re interested, please let me know!
Based on the responses we get, we will determine the lucky winner.
If no one responds per the conditions above, I may just have to go back myself. :) Oh, well...! But seriously, we would love to work with you on a wonderful trip to the UK and hope that this will be one of your special adventures there!
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