The Retreat at Elcot Park

We came for one night for my birthday, and it couldn’t have been better. We were welcomed with a glass of wine and a beautiful roast lunch, then spent time at the spa, whose indoor and outdoor facilities were perfect. The Asian restaurant was absolutely delicious, and the team made my birthday feel special. We loved the grounds and went for a gorgeous walk. A perfect staycation all round, would recommend!

The staff made this stay feel special. I only caught Kate’s name, thank you for showing us around, but every person we met was genuinely friendly and helpful. You could see how hard everyone was working to make guests’ stays good. We booked last minute for one night after the Christmas chaos, wanting time together, and the hotel’s beautiful decor, all dressed up with a big Christmas bow, had me relaxing as soon as we arrived. Being able to use the spa from 2pm, before our 4pm check-in, was brilliant, and it never felt too busy. We even used the outdoor pool in December. There were complimentary surprises in the evening, and I enjoyed piano music in the bar. They made my favourite cocktail even though it wasn’t on the menu, and it was perfect. The room was comfortable and nicely decorated, with tea options and a coffee machine. We ate at Yu and really enjoyed dinner. Breakfast was buffet-style with loads of choice, and we had the dining room to ourselves. I wish we’d stayed longer and would definitely return, especially at this time of year. Everything you need to relax is in one place.

The spa was in excellent condition. We had a full-body massage and tried the salt float, and both were amazing. The outdoor pool and cold tubs have great views, even though it was more overcast than sunny during our stay. Joe and Maria were especially helpful, polite and understanding, and the service was genuinely warm. The hotel itself is beautiful and stylish. The food was fine but not phenomenal, while the events were great. We saw One Eyed Man, a local musician, play live. There’s a nice lounge for working, plus a snack room with fizzy water, crisps and candies. Nearby farms and fields are lovely for a relaxing walk, and the Watermill Theatre is worth a visit. Taxis from London are easier to get to Newbury than Hungerford.

We loved the small touches, like the 4pm and 9pm pours and the many board games. Both restaurants were good overall, though the sushi rice was very sticky and starchy. The tataki was excellent. We booked The Retreat for my partner’s birthday after a hectic few months, hoping for a quiet, relaxing countryside break from the 9-5, and that’s what we got. The staff were friendly and helpful, though service could be slow or absent at times. We waited over 30 minutes for more drinks at the bar, and on another occasion I ordered at the bar but still had a service charge added to the bill, which I thought was unreasonable. The rooms were spacious but could use a few fixes and thoughtful additions, like a full-length mirror and more hooks for wet robes and towels after the spa. The spa reception had no dry robes available. The in-room coffee machines were unbelievably loud, and neighbours using theirs woke us each day. The pillows were flat and could do with replacing. We liked the sauna and hot tubs, but the hydro pool was so high in chlorine it stung our eyes in under ten minutes. Unfortunately, the steam room was closed. My partner said his full-body massage was excellent. We both enjoyed the salt float, though earplugs should be provided and the room should be fully dark for a proper sensory deprivation experience. Despite the small niggles, we’d definitely return. I’m sharing these in the hope they’ll improve.