It’s always a pleasure to revisit somewhere that holds fond memories, so when I was invited back to the Mallory Court Country House Hotel and Spa in Leamington Spa, Warwickshire recently, having originally stayed there for a weekend back in 2014, I couldn’t wait to return to the cosy country house I remembered for a relaxing weekend of eating, drinking and a much-needed reset – as well as to see how, if at all, it had changed.
Set in ten sprawling acres of verdant countryside, this quintessential English hideaway is located just a few minutes’ drive from the centre of Leamington Spa as well as quaint Warwick, and around 15 minutes from the nearby historic town of Stratford-Upon-Avon, so it’s well located if you’re looking for a luxurious place to base yourself for an exploration of this particular corner of the Cotswolds.
Hotel
One of the star properties of the esteemed Eden Hotel Collection, whose portfolio includes six breath-taking properties across Warwickshire, Worcestershire, Gloucestershire and Devon, the Mallory Court comprises 43 spacious rooms. Those in the Lutyens-style main house overlook a beautiful maze-style garden, where a variety of plants, flowers and herbs bloom throughout the year, and all rooms exude the kind of laid-back country-style cosiness that instantly makes you feel right at home.
Having originally visited the Mallory Court over a chilly January weekend, when my husband and I had the pleasure of waking up in the morning and looking out of the window of our suite to see the gardens blanketed in snow, it was a different experience this time to arrive during the summer months. But some things that had clearly remained the same were the breath-taking Pyracantha-covered exterior of this charming countryside retreat – which had us gasping with delight as we pulled our car into the grand driveway outside – and once inside the warm welcome we received on arrival, and the friendliness and attentiveness of the hotel staff.
Rooms
Tired from a long drive, we were immediately checked in and shown to our Manor House Master Room, which again, backed onto the property’s beautiful verdant gardens, and despite being a little smaller than the suite we had stayed in last time, was just as comfortable and provided more than enough space for the two of us.
A sumptuously comfortable king-size bed took centre stage, with a table and chairs in the window so that we could sit and enjoy our morning coffee or an evening glass of wine whilst gazing out of the window. There were some refreshments waiting for us, which were gratefully received – including bottles of mineral water, a dish of fruits, some biscuits and a bottle of cordial – and the mini bar is also stocked with a selection of soft drinks.
There was a large TV and a lavish en-suite bathroom with a separate W.C. – which is always a handy set-up and makes life much easier when getting ready in the mornings – and all things considered, we were perfectly set up for the kind of restorative and relaxing weekend we’d been craving.
While our Manor House Master was located within the manor house itself, there are some additional rooms of this type over in the Orchard House – a separate building that is adjacent to the main hotel from the front – where they are instead known as the Orchard House Masters.
The largest room types on offer are the Master Suite and the Blenheim Suite, both located on the ground and first floors of the main manor house. The latter is a luxurious two-bedroom space designed to accommodate families and includes two bathrooms and a private corridor and each is decorated in its own take on traditional country house style with a modern twist.
Food and drink
The hotel’s fine dining restaurant, The Dining Room – currently holds three AA Rosettes for its classic yet innovative menu of mouth-watering cuisine, and is set amidst elegant Art Deco-inspired surroundings decked out with plush furnishings to create an elegant and sophisticated setting.
With a dinner reservation that evening, we were looking forward to visiting The Dining Room again after a memorable experience the first time around, when former head chef Paul Foster was at the helm – so we headed down to the lobby / lounge area for pre-dinner drinks and to whet our appetites for what was to come. An elegant setting in which to relax and unwind, the lounge is all soft lighting and sumptuous blue and cream furnishings, exuding just the kind of style and opulence you’d hope for from a property like this one.
We enjoyed a quick glass of wine and were brought some crispy broad beans and an olive selection to snack on before being ushered to our table in the elegant, oak-panelled Dining Room to choose from the Tastes of the Seasons menu – which is based around the finest, freshest ingredients of the season, many of which are grown in Mallory Court’s very own kitchen gardens.
Combining fresh and contemporary flavours, highlights thus far have included the Highland wagyu beef, truffles, Mallory elderflower, Wye Valley asparagus and English strawberries, and the ever-changing nature of the menu means you’ll rarely be presented with the same choices twice.
Some light nibbles to kick things off, and the gougeres – decadent French cheese puffs – served with truffle custard, were a highlight. Served alongside homemade carrot dips and crisps, they gave us a small taste of what was to come, and paired perfectly with a glass of Testulat Blanc de Noirs from France. We also shared some homemade bread, served with Lincolnshire poacher salted butter, being careful not to over-indulge so as to save room for our main courses.
Next up, it was a red mullet with Romanesco and black garlic puree, with a Kolbenhof Gewurztraminer from Italy, before the starter of Mallory garden beetroot with goat’s cheese mousse and dukkah arrived before us. Perfectly creamy with just the right amount of tang, Chateauneuf du Pap Blanc was the obvious choice to go along with it, and a perfect pairing it was indeed.
For mains, we both opted for the roast Cornish cod in a bisque sauce. The cod was meaty and flaky, the sauce decadent and comforting – and the sweetness of the accompanying prawns added a sense of balance. A light dish that left us feeling satisfied, and with just enough room for dessert. We opted for the fig and raspberry compote with Earl Grey tea mousse and blackcurrant sorbet – zingy, melt-in-the-mouth and an excellent way to round things off.
Overall, the food was enjoyable, but we did feel that some courses lacked a little something special when compared with the first time we visited, when we left feeling thoroughly impressed with the experience. The flavour combinations worked well but the ‘wow factor’ wasn’t quite there. Nevertheless, we’d come back again, because with the menu changing with each new season, there’s always something new to try, and it’s clear that the Dining Room team put a great deal of care and attention into devising the latest dishes.
The Elan Spa
When we last visited the Mallory Court, the Elan Spa was still under construction – so we were excited to have the chance to see and experience it this time around. And rightly so, because this beautiful space is now a highlight of any stay at the hotel, offering the perfect opportunity to retire away from the main hotel and enjoy a moment of calm.
An oasis of tranquillity that can be found nestled amidst the trees and the Mallory Court’s picturesque gardens, the spa is home to a heated hydro pool in which guests can soak away the stresses and strains of modern life and truly unwind – and during the summer months, the outdoor vitality pool is the perfect spot to cool off and refresh in complete tranquillity.
The Elan Spa offers a comprehensive menu of sumptuous treatments to choose from, each based around the nourishing GAIA product range and delivered by one of its excellent team of therapists.
I opted for the 90-minute Gaia Harmonious Ritual, which was quite simply divine, combining rhythmic massage and advanced techniques that place a focus on breathing and boosting circulation. Soothing and invigorating aromatherapy oils are included to make it even more of a treat for the senses, and one that certainly left me feeling thoroughly de-stressed and utterly blissed out.
In a nutshell
The epitome of a quintessential English country house set in the heart of beautiful Warwickshire, the Mallory Court is the perfect hideaway for those looking to get away from it all while soaking up some local history and culture in the process. Expect to be extremely well looked after at this opulent establishment – and be sure to pop in and experience the hotel’s opulent Elan Spa, which is certain to be the highlight of your stay.
Factbox
Address: Mallory Court Hotel, Harbury Ln, Leamington Spa, Warwickshire CV33 9QB
Phone: 01926 330214
Website: mallory.co.uk