There’s a specifically commissioned map within the reception space. It has the model new Retreat at Elcot Park in West Berkshire at its centre, with sister resort The Mitre at Hampton Court docket to the East — and shortly will present the group’s newest acquisition on Rutland Water.
Suffice to say that Hector Ross’s Signet Assortment is on a roll; his Canadian backer splashing the money in admirable recession-defying methods.
The Retreat, midway between Newbury and Hungerford, is an enormous enterprise. Along with the 55 rooms (the home as soon as belonged to Woman Shelley, mom of Percy, the poet, and latterly was a dilapidated Mercure resort), there are two eating places, a swanky spa with hydropool, gymnasium and salt float tank (opening subsequent weekend); a wine store, bakery and cafe, hairdresser and nail bar (all opening on Wednesday) and 16 acres of grounds.
The Inspector calls at The Retreat, midway between Newbury and Hungerford. ‘Along with the 55 rooms, there are two eating places, a swanky spa with hydropool, gymnasium and salt float tank (opening subsequent weekend); a wine store, bakery and cafe, hairdresser and nail bar (all opening on Wednesday) and 16 acres of grounds,’ he explains
Arriving final Friday, an open fireplace is blazing within the corridor, an enormous canine basket reverse it. Unique artwork; portraits on the wall by the vast stairs; splashes of color.
‘Would you want a glass of wine?’ asks a pleasant meet-and-greet man who later whisks our luggage to the room, which has daring wallpaper, striped headboard and an vintage chest of drawers.
All arrivals are supplied a complimentary glass — a beneficiant contact after enduring the Good motorway works on the M4.
An image of The Retreat’s swanky Sutton Suite. Doubles are from £180 B&B
TRAVEL FACTS
The Retreat at Elcot Park, Newbury, West Berkshire, RG20 8NJ.
Tel: 01635 800520 or go to retreatelcotpark.com.
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The Orangery eating room is just not completed and so we eat in 1772 (the 12 months when the unique home was constructed), the place there’s an extended, inviting bar. Nevertheless it’s far too vibrant and the pianist is enjoying a lot too loudly.
No complaints concerning the meals. A few of the pan-Asian dishes have migrated throughout the corridor, which is not any dangerous factor. The ‘crispy cauliflower popcorn’ with teriyaki and soy, and Japanese spatchcock rooster are excellent.
We’re woken at 8am by two diggers constructing the surface swimming pool and assume it will be clever to not cost full value (£240 in our case) whereas a part of the backyard remains to be a development web site.
Service at breakfast is painfully gradual. Teething issues, little question, and I believe that the younger and impressive Mr Ross will quickly iron out any wrinkles — and that The Retreat will develop into an enormous hit, each with locals and moneyed Londoners who can get right here from the capital in lower than 90 minutes.
