Staycation: The Retreat at Elcot Park has been given a facelift and is emerging as one of the south's most stylish hotels

The Retreat at Elcot Park has recently been completely renovated. It’s now fresh, stylish and emerging as one of the country’s most stylish.  

Formerly owned by the Mercure, the run-of-the-mill hotel had seen better days until seasoned hotelier and restaurateur Hector Ross and Ronnie Kimbugwe swooped in with their bold and beautiful décor and business.  

It opened in May and is the second hotel from the Signet Collection, which launched in September 2020 with The Mitre near Hampton Court.  

The collection has been founded with a mission to create extraordinary boutique hotels in curated destinations for the most discerning travellers.  

As well as style, the hotel oozes history. Set in West Berkshire, near the charming market town of Hungerford, the Grade II-listed 18th-century building was once the home of poet Percy Bysshe Shelley’s mother.  

It also holds the claim that it is home to the oldest Monkey Puzzle tree in the country.  

On arrival, guests are greeted with a sweeping drive up the the Georgian house, which stands beautifully proud among the countryside.  

Visitors are treated to glasses of wine in the reception, next to the grand fireplace. This is an Instagrammable kind of place, with a flower arch draped over the door.  

On our way to our room, the wonderful Sutton suite which comes with a copper bath in the bay, we are shown the whisky library (perfect for working or a quiet glass of whiskey and contemplation).

READ MORE: 7 luxury Hampshire hotels – including boutique, historic and spa retreats

The hotel is fully of nice touches – there’s the welly wall, stocked with brightly coloured footwear that people can borrow to make the most of the surrounding countryside, there’s the pantry, stocked with cookies and drinks that guests can help themselves to when the midnight urge strikes, and there’s the coffee bar, hidden away in the old stable serving delicious freshly roasted coffee.  

The coffee shop is in a bustling courtyard, with tables outside, accompanied by a bakery, and hair salon and nail bar. 

As well as design, with swish interiors by London designers Taylor & Turner, food is a big part of a stay at The Retreat.

The 55-bedroom hotel offers a Pan-Asian restaurant called Yü, all-day dining Brasserie 1772, and an Orangery where breakfast is served while guests bask in the morning sun looking out over the ground.  

Yü feels special with its gastro menu but informal too, tucked away down a corridor, and cosy enough to feel welcoming.  

The Retreat also has a health club and wellness area with treatments being provided by the exceptionally talented team in the relaxing rooms.  

There’s also an indoor pool, with jets, fountains and jacuzzis, a steam room and a sauna, and possibly the best part – a stunning outdoor heated infinity pool. There’s something quite luxurious about being able to sit next to and take a dip in an outdoor pool in the UK, and here it’s part of a normal stay.  

For the more active, there are also tennis courts, croquet lawns and a huge network of walks that visitors can set off on from the grounds.  

Hector and Ronnie say their vision is to create meaningful stays in time-honoured places, with this newly re-imagined 18th-century country house hotel and spa set in magnificent grounds they certainly gave us a memorable stay.  

SEE ALSO: Travel review: Shorefield Country Park, New Forest - staycation in Hampshire with beaches, hot tubs and relaxation

The Retreat is easy to reach, with excellent transport links to the M4, M3 and A34. It’s also easy to get to by train – just 45 minutes from London and short cab ride away.  

Rooms start from £153 per night with bed and breakfast. For more information about The Retreat, visit elcotpark.com/