Looking fresh from a recent £1.6 million refurbishment of all guest rooms and riding high on scooping the AA Award for Small Hotel Group of the Year 2024, Mallory Court is a gem of a countryside hotel.

For the reworking of its 19 guest rooms and suites, the hotel took inspiration from some of the building’s art deco features, deftly combining some countryside inspiration with a nod to the influence of that most stylish of eras.

The building dates from 1916, but actually looks and feels more Elizabethan – the reason for this lies in Mallory Court’s architect P. Morley Horder. He was one of a group of early 20th century architects who specialised in re-introducing the styles of the Elizabethan period, such as gables, mullions and inglenook windows.

And in keeping with this heritage, the refurb includes floral and geometric wallpapers and fabrics from Romo and GP & J Baker and existing bedside tables, desks and wardrobes restored by specialist local craftsmen.

Our suite was home to a vast bedroom with a beautiful inglenook to soak in the views over the gardens and out to the countryside. Everything felt luxurious in an understated way: thick carpets, a huge bed recessed into the wall to add extra cosiness with high thread-count sheets; and a marble bathroom – it was just a shame we were only here for one night.

You could spend all day in the suite but there is plenty to explore in the gardens, and there’s even a Garden Tour Guide available from the front desk to help guests do so.

The gardens are as rewarding as the house itself, complete with orchard, a croquet lawn, a rose garden, herb garden, walled garden – even an apiary. And of course, more of those stunning views over the rolling countryside. While Mallory Court is not specifically aimed at children, they’re very welcome, and the gardens will keep them occupied for hours with a scavenger hunt offering up a further way to burn off some energy.

Dining in style

The Dining Room at The Manor House has been awarded 3 Rosettes by the AA and is overseen by executive chef Keiron Stevens. Food is seasonal and local, with many ingredients literally plucked from just outside in the gardens. 

Although service was faultless, I felt the dining experience still dragged a little with what felt like prolonged breaks between courses – the restaurant was busy, which may well have accounted for that. But my main bugbear was the small portion sizes; one of the mains, for example, consisted of just an egg in a bed of salad leaves. And we were into our second hour at that point. My braised beef short rib, though tasty was just a chunk, accompanied by a strip of Exmoor Angus beef and small scoop of mash and mushroom puree. To compensate, we bulked up on delicious homemade warm sourdough, which came as a loaf for tearing and sharing.

There is also another dining option – Sencha, a pan-Asian restaurant with an appealing selection of menu items such as gyoza, Korean chicken wings, chicken katsu and blackened cod. Tucked away in the adjacent Orchard House – built in 2017 in a style sympathetic to the main house – Sencha was a real standout dining experience, boasting bold flavours in delicious dishes.

Spa attraction 

The same building also houses a very strong wellness offering in the shape of the Elan Spa, and although this was not part of the recent refurb, it still looks and feels brand new, with a spa pool and outdoor sauna and hot tub. There’s something quite magical and deeply calming sitting in an outdoor sauna on a chilly evening counting the stars, yet despite a number of visits to English country house hotels, this was something I’d never experienced before. Spa treatments are with Gaia or Temple Spa products, and part of the plan could also be taking the mindfulness walk, which leads you on a calming route around the gardens and grounds. 

Thanks to its outstanding refurb, this little hotel – which is also part of the Eden Hotel Collection – is now even more of a little gem. Mallory Court would be a great option for couples, friends on a spa break, or clients looking for a special occasion treat. And with Leamington Spa just a few minutes’ drive away, it’s a perfect spot for a shopping break too. Guests could also strike out to nearby attractions such as Warwick Castle or Compton Verney, known for its museum and art collection.