A countryside escape

With stunning decor, luxurious rooms, and a delightful spa – all set in the tranquil countryside on the outskirts of Leamington Spa – Mallory Court is a delight.

Boasting 43 bedrooms, the traditional English manor house hotel offers award-winning accommodation; having won three AA red stars for comfort and hospitality, as well as the title of AA Small Hotel Group of the Year for 2014 to 2015.

My partner and I enjoyed an overnight stay at one of the hotel’s beautiful superior rooms, which overlooked its lovely, unique walled garden. The wonderfully spacious ground-floor room offered a fantastically comfortable king-sized bed – in which my other half fell asleep the second his head hit the pillow – a large en-suite bathroom, and a patio area accessed by double doors.

We indulged in a day at the Elan Spa while there, which has been a fixture at the Leamington destination since its construction in April last year. It is located just a few metres from the main hotel.

Its indoor facilities include a rock salt sauna, a steam room, a fairly large hydro pool complete with jets, seats and powerful overhead shoots, and a rhassoul room, which can be used at an added cost and advance booking. It also offers a gym and nail bar. Outside, meanwhile, the spa boasts a stunning terrace, with tables and chairs and loungers which overlook peaceful greenery and a tennis court.

This area also offers a lovely, relaxing vitality pool – or hot tub – set at 37.5 degrees. There is also an outdoor sauna, located in a wooden cabin.

Visitors can enjoy a bite to eat while there too at its upmarket Spa Cafe.

After a wonderful day lounging about at the spa, we returned to our beautiful room, before heading out for dinner at the Brasserie restaurant, just a stone’s throw from our patio.

Following a greeting from the friendly, attentive staff, we took to our table in a conservatory area adjoining the building which is separate to the main hotel.

Once we had perused the fairly short but varied menu, I opted for the slow-cooked duck egg with creamed savoy cabbage and smoked bacon starter; a delicious, perfectly cooked start to the meal.

For mains, I chose the 8oz 28-day aged sirloin steak served with triple-cooked chips, tomato, mushroom and onion rings, while my other half opted for the beer battered fish and chips with crushed peas and tartare sauce.

Presented very nicely, both my steak – priced at £27.50 –and my better half’s fish – at £14.50 – were cooked well.

Dessert was the meal highlight, however, as I found out when I indulged in the delicious chocolate pavé with caramalised bananas, caramel, vanilla ice cream and peanut brittle.

Laid out stunningly, with an amazing balance of flavours, this was a most memorable dish – and I enjoyed every mouthful.

Breakfast the following morning in the hotel’s upmarket dining room was a full English – though, were I to go again, I would simply pick something different from its extensive offering.

The buffet offered a range of delicious pastries in which I indulged, as well as a selection of cereals and a few fruit options.

A very lovely destination for a spa day with a gorgeous, comfortable, luxurious room – and a hotel and spa I would certainly return to in future.