• Pure relaxation and luxury at Tewkesbury Park

    Over the years we have had and shared many, many wonderful experiences of hotel stays in the Cotswolds, but as I sit down on this chilled out Sunday in January to write my account of the experience we just had at stunning Tewkesbury Park, I know I am going to write and share an experience like I never have before. Because when we arrived at Tewkesbury Park on Saturday early afternoon, truthfully we just assumed we would be in for a lovely treat, an overnight stay in luxurious surroundings, a delicious dinner in a beautiful restaurant…. a perfect Saturday in the Cotswolds. And while our stay more than lived up to those expectations, it went so far above and beyond that writing this experience down to share with you, requires something more.

     

     

    Chilled Classical

    I always work and write sitting in my comfy green armchair in my living room, often with the TV on or with my favourite playlist playing on Spotify. Usually I have my extensive country music playlist playing but right now I pretty much have the ‘A Star is Born’ soundtrack on repeat, I know all the words and happily sing along, although (you’ll be pleased to know) only when I’m on my own ; ) But not today. Today I have found the ‘Chilled Classical’ playlist on Spotify, something I genuinely thought I would never do, or enjoy. So what happened to me to turn me into a lover of chilled classical music and someone looking for ‘zen’ overnight? I’ll tell you.

     

    An air of calm

    We arrived at Tewkesbury Park just north of the Cotswolds in the lovely town of Tewkesbury, famous for the abbey and for the wonderful High Street with so many properties full of character. We were shown to our room, one of their most luxurious and wonderful suites with views over the golf course, hills and countryside as far as the eye will reach and the edge of the Cotswolds in the distance. It was perfect. As we entered, we found the sound system on and set to Classic FM. An immediate air of calm descended on us, while we unpacked and marvelled at the luxurious touches, the bed the size of my actual house (!), the bathtub in the room, the beautiful decor and the unrivalled views, a wonderful calm came over us. It was like the room demanded we relax and wind way down. So we did.

     

     

    Nap time, floating on air and Classic FM

    Just for sheer size, the bed demanded we try it out straight away. No, no, no, get your minds out of the gutter, I’m talking about just lying in it, of course. And this lead to the most amazing nap I think I’ve ever had. The bed was enormous and sooo comfortable, it was like it swallowed us up and lying in it felt like floating on air. So the unbelievable bed, the calming room and Classic FM on the radio (and possibly also the fact that we were full and happy having just had a delicious lunch) was the perfect setting for a Saturday afternoon nap. Amazing. I think I’m going to introduce naptime to every weekend from now on.

     

    Time to explore

    An hour later, refreshed and wonderfully calm, we decided we needed to go exploring. We went outside to check out the golf course we had seen from our room, it was stunning from the green as well, of course. At the top, right by the hotel, it even has a (very well groomed!) croquet area where we, for sure, will be back with the kids come Spring time and warmer weather. Inside we walked through the restaurant to see where the evening’s dinner was to take place, it was beautiful and we were looking forward to it already. Then out to check out the spa – we decided to come back to this a bit later, first it was time for a coffee in the bar.

     

     

    Relaxation is the key

    And it was while sitting in the bar, it started dawning on us what Tewkesbury Park does better than anywhere else we’ve stayed: Relaxation. And not in a hushed, quiet way, but in the most calm and wonderful way imaginable. Because as we sat in the soft sofa with our coffees and took in what was going on around us, we realised that all the staff were going about their work in a super calm manner, the décor and colour schemes throughout the hotel create an air of calm and the whole place just has this soothing vibe that you can’t help but be gripped by.

     

    Wonderful dinner

    From coffees and calm to a trip to the spa where we enjoyed a refreshing swim in the pool and a cheeky soak in the outside hot tub. And then it was time to get ready for dinner. The newly refurbished restaurant at Tewkesbury Park, ‘Mint’, is a truly wonderful space and in here the relaxation vibe continues. We enjoyed a romantic dinner with unbelievably delicious food, super friendly service and the loveliest atmosphere. By 9 o’clock the restaurant was full but the way it’s laid out, it never felt loud or crowded, it was a wonderful dining experience, one we can’t wait to come back for again and again.

     

     

    ‘Hygge’ epitomised

    As you may know, I am Danish and our stay at Tewkesbury Park prompted a conversation about the Danish concept of ‘hygge’, which is a bit of a mystery to most English people. ‘Hygge’ is a quality of cosiness and comfort that engenders a feeling of contentment or wellbeing and it is regarded a somewhat defining characteristic of Danish culture… but let me tell you right now, if you would like to experience ‘hygge’, you don’t need to travel all the way to Denmark, simply head to Tewkesbury Park like we did, and you will gain a better understanding of this concept as this place is quite simply ‘hygge’ epitomised.

     

     

    The perfect overnight stay

    This morning we woke up calm, relaxed and well rested, having had the most wonderful sleep. The delicious and plentiful breakfast was served with a view of the golf course, it was truly the perfect end to the perfect overnight stay in the Cotswolds… almost like a drawn out meditation session. We left Tewkesbury Park far more relaxed than we were when we came, and you can’t ask for better than that, I don’t think. We can’t wait to come back again.

    Book your stay here: Tewkesbury Park.

    Mette x