Ellenborough Park
By the Top3Hotels editorial team. Based on Booking.com guest scores and reviews, location data and reference prices. We did not stay at this hotel. Updated 2026-10-24.
Ellenborough Park is worth booking if you want a five-star stay with grounds, a spa and an outdoor pool near Cheltenham and the Cotswolds, and you have a car or plan to use taxis. Skip it if you want to walk into town, or if the price, well over double our Best Value pick, is hard to justify.
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Sold out? See available alternatives →Who it suits and who should skip it
Couples on a special break and families who want space are the best match. The 5-star hotel lists a spa, a pool, a gym, a restaurant, a garden, a terrace, free parking, family rooms, air conditioning and free Wi-Fi. It is tagged as pet friendly; check the policy with the hotel. Guests give it 8.5 out of 10 from 670 reviews.
City breakers who want to stroll to shops and restaurants should look at our other picks. The sights in our data are all far on foot, and the spa gets a specific complaint covered below.
Location and getting around
The hotel is on Southam Road, and guests rate the location 9.3 out of 10, mainly for the grounds and the closeness to Cheltenham and the Cotswolds.
The distances tell you this is not a walking base. Cheltenham Synagogue is about 3.9 km away, around 49 minutes on foot. Winchcombe Castle is about 5.9 km, roughly 74 minutes, and Coombe Hill Canal about 8.6 km, around 108 minutes. All are far, so plan on a car, taxi or public transport. Free parking is listed, which helps. Walking times are straight-line estimates and have not been checked.
What guests say
Staff are praised most often, described as friendly, helpful and attentive. Guests also like the historic building and its grounds, and its position close to Cheltenham and the Cotswolds.
The spa draws criticism. The outdoor pool is popular, but guests say the indoor areas are small and often crowded. If the spa is the reason you are going, ask about quieter times and whether you can book treatments in advance.
Price and what you get compared with our other picks
Reference prices seen for a 2-night stay in November 2026 (10 to 12 November, 2 adults, one room) were about €403 per night. The sample median was about €163, so this is well above the norm. These are not live quotes. Check today's price for your dates.
The Budget pick, Holiday Inn Express Cheltenham Town Centre by IHG, was about €135 per night with a score of 8.4. The Best Value pick, Queens Hotel Cheltenham, was about €163 with 4 stars and an 8.4 score. Ellenborough Park costs roughly €240 more per night than the Queens. The extra buys a fifth star, the grounds, the spa and pool, free parking and a slightly higher guest score, but you lose the town-centre address.
Why it made our top 3
We compared 7 eligible hotels in Cheltenham. Ellenborough Park shares the top guest score among them and is officially rated 5 stars, which gives it priority for our Luxury slot. Its 670 reviews are fewer than many hotels we cover, so weigh the score with that in mind.
Before you book
Room size, noise, renovation condition, whether breakfast is included and cancellation terms are not confirmed. Breakfast options listed include continental, full English, vegetarian, vegan and breakfast to go; check your rate.
Spa and pool opening hours, any treatment fees and whether the outdoor pool is open in November are not confirmed. Ask the hotel before booking if the spa is a main reason for your stay.
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Sold out? See available alternatives →Questions travellers ask
Can you walk from Ellenborough Park into Cheltenham?
The places in our data are all far on foot, from about 49 minutes upwards. Plan on a car, taxi or public transport; free parking is listed.
Is the spa at Ellenborough Park crowded?
Guests say the outdoor pool is popular but the indoor spa areas are small and often busy. Ask about quieter times when you book.
How much does Ellenborough Park cost per night?
Reference prices seen for a 2-night stay in November 2026 for 2 adults were about €403 per night. Check today's price for your dates.
Does Ellenborough Park have free parking?
Yes, free parking is listed by the property. Confirm availability for your dates.
Is Ellenborough Park good for families?
It lists family rooms, a pool and gardens. Check room sizes and spa rules for children with the hotel before booking.