Ettington Chase Hotel

Housed in a historic building with a brick facade, lancet windows and a slate roof, the Ettington Chase feels grand and charming at first sight. Expansive lawns with a few trees and stone paths surround the hotel, making the property feel secluded and serene. However, the adjacent buildings, although built in a similar yet more simple style, take away a little bit of the charm. The large outdoor parking lot doesn’t help much either. The front desk area does retain some of the historic feel, with polished wooden floors and a large wooden front desk with delicate carvings featuring a lancet window design. The hotel is popular among business travelers and conference attendees due to its extensive meeting spaces.

The original building was renovated in the early 2010s, and features stylish decor in a soft earth-tone palette in common spaces and darker hues with bright accents in rooms. Wooden floors, large windows, and soft lighting make the restaurant and bar warm and contemporary, but some guests feel that it lacks local character. 

The hotel is located off a small country road right outside tiny Ettington. There is a popular pub a short distance away, but the area is mostly rural and quiet, and there is little within walking distance. Quaint Stratford-upon-Avon, known for being William Shakespeare’s hometown, is a 15-minute drive away. There, guests can visit Shakespeare’s birthplace, his grave and even his school. Historic Charlecote Park, a 16th-century Victorian country mansion surrounded by gorgeous gardens, can also be reached in about 15 minutes. The city of Warwick, known for its picturesque historic center and striking 11th-century castle, is 20 minutes’ drive from the hotel. The nearest airport is in Birmingham, located a 45-minute drive away.

The hotel has 130 rooms, most located in the new building and a few in the original historic structure. All are clean and spacious, with big windows overlooking either the parking lot or the grounds. Deluxe Rooms and Junior Suites are located in the old manor and were renovated in the early 2010s. These units have stylish decor with a dark brown palette and a few pops of color. Large padded headboards, beige or gray carpeting, and dark wood furniture with clean lines make these rooms contemporary and reasonably stylish. The newer structure, where the other rooms are housed, has a different vibe. Units here have not been renovated in a while, and decor style is generic and bland, with dark carpeting, simple blond-wood furniture, and basic bathrooms. 

All rooms have similar amenities -- including flat-screen TVs, free Wi-Fi, electric kettles and safes, but there are no in-room mini-fridges, and Standard units have small TVs. Bathroom quality and styles also vary between rooms. While some have gray tiles, wood cabinets and modern sinks on black counters, most have aging fixtures, basic shower/tub combos, and white tiles. There have been some complaints of poor soundproofing, especially in the rooms closest to the bar. 

A buffet breakfast is served every morning at Tempus Restaurant, which features a spacious dining room with stylish contemporary decor and big windows. A la carte lunch and dinner are also available. The adjacent bar serves comfort food, bar snacks and wine, and is a popular spot for after-work drinks and casual meetings. Although small, the fitness center offers a decent array of modern cardio and strength-training machines, and a sauna. The hotel also has a large indoor pool complete with a whirlpool, and outdoor tennis courts. There are 12 boardrooms with audiovisual equipment, plus additional lounge areas for more casual gatherings. Wi-Fi is free throughout the hotel and there's plenty of free on-site parking.