Indulge in the fantastical at Coombe Abbey Hotel
Despite arriving in the courtyard to Coombe Abbey Hotel on a sunny afternoon in June – reached by crossing a moat no less – on opening the imposing oak front door I was met with a Gothic interior that instantly reminds you of Dracula’s castle.
The website carries the strapline ‘no ordinary hotel’ and they’re not wrong. Coombe Abbey carries with it an eccentricity that you might not experience anywhere else (except, possibly, The Witchery in Edinburgh) and it’s certainly one of the most atmospheric place I’ve ever stayed.
Vaulted stone ceilings, thick red velvet drapes, and antique dark oak furniture greets you in the impressive and austere reception area. The high-backed armchairs housing guests holding discreet, whispered conversations all adds to the mysterious feel of the hotel.
Long creaky corridors with red walls make the walk to bedrooms dark and somewhat sinister. If you’re of a nervous disposition come nightfall, the corridors of Coombe Abbey is one place you probably won’t want to be alone!
Coombe Abbey Hotel offers heaps of character – and a touch of tradition.
In the heart of the Warwickshire countryside, within easy distance of Stratford-Upon-Avon, Leamington Spa and Coventry, Coombe Abbey or the “Abbey of Cumbe” as it was once known, was founded in 1150AD by Cistercian Monks before becoming a royal property following the dissolution of the monasteries in the 16th century. Leap forward several hundred years to 1995, when No Ordinary Hotels acquired the Abbey and opened it as a hotel. With the surrounding 500 acres of parkland, open to the public since the 1960s, the estate continues to welcome ramblers and nature lovers from far and wide and even offers a Go Ape – perfect for family fun.
Whilst the decor of the hotel might not be to everyone’s taste, it does offer a bit of escapism into another time. When we initially checked in, we were put in a room overlooking one of the secluded gardens. Lined with dark green wallpaper and decorated with dark brown furniture and rather old-looking wall-lights, it all felt a bit ‘dark’. Literally. I’m all for ‘traditional’ but this just felt dated and dowdy. Even the bathroom had low lighting that made it difficult for Mrs HB to apply her makeup precisely – and there were no other lighting options.
We persevered and opened our garden doors to have a cup of tea and take in the warm afternoon air in a lovely quiet garden. Until we saw all the used cigarette butts strewn all over the floor. Which was pretty much the last straw for Mrs HB who refused to stay in that room.
To be fair however, the management took our feedback on the chin and arranged to move us to a much lighter and airier room, The Gibson Suite. With a deluxe four-poster bed, fireplace, two armchairs in which to kick back, and views over the main gardens and lake to the rear of the hotel, our stay had begun in style. The ensuite bathroom had some lovely handprinted splashbacks around the roll-top bath and you could happily sit on the toilet and watch the world go in the gardens without being seen. And just to reassure you, Mrs HB’s makeup wasn’t all over her face… due to the fabulous light streaming though the vast windows.
Tea and coffee making facilities could be found but alas, no mini-bar, a failing most monks would surely have disapproved of. But as we weren’t intending to spend much time in our room, it was a minor thing to endure.
I must admit that the decor was a huge improvement but, whilst this is a 4-star hotel, don’t expect mod cons and wizzy digital things for controlling lights, curtains or TVs. It maintains a traditional look and feel, and I can only pray that the management make haste to sort out the glaring faults in our original room.
A comfortable stay with contemporary food.
If you like themed events, then Coombe Abbey offers them regularly, from Bavarian Nights to Mediaeval Banquets. The hotel gets very busy on these theme nights and they’re not for everyone. That said, they offer an opportunity to let your plaits down and embrace the sheer madness of the environment. I’d recommend checking the hotel’s website for these events and avoid them if they’re not something you want to experience.
As it happens, Mrs HB and I were staying at Coombe Abbey Hotel to celebrate the wedding anniversary of some close friends and there were no such frolics taking place. Instead, after a pleasant meander through the rose-scented gardens (I can see now why the Victorians enjoyed staying here as guests of the owners), we spruced ourselves up and pottered down to the Garden Room Restaurant for dinner. Situated in a very grand conservatory that is a key feature of the modern extension, it provides an interesting, yet sympathetic, contrast to the rich furnishings of the rest of the hotel’s public areas. Light and airy with comfortable chairs, it’s a lovely space to while away a summer evening with friends. The restaurant transforms after dark: low lighting and crisp white tablecloths, it’s romantic for two people, elegant and sophisticated for four.
I won’t go into the detail of our dining experience here but simply to say it wasn’t what I expected. It was contemporary and clever, and you can read about it here.
Replete from dinner we retired to our room for the night. Undisturbed by the ghosts of the past rumoured to wander the corridors, we had a very comfortable night. The bed was huge with crisp white sheets and feather pillows that still had feathers in them if you know what I mean. And with blackout curtains and shutters, the light didn’t wake Mrs HB, which meant I woke to a very relaxing and cheerful morning too!
Checking out was quick and easy and as I dashed off to collect the car from the carpark (about 80m away), Mrs HB indulged in a moment of fantasy, imagining herself as a lady of yesteryear, perambulating the courtyard and moat walls, awaiting her coachman. You can’t keep a lady waiting too long though…especially not Mrs HB.
Coombe Abbey is set in a stunning landscape and there’s plenty to do here (or not). Lounge in one of the reception rooms and read the morning papers, enjoy a sumptuous afternoon tea, explore the extensive gardens, take cocktails on one of the peaceful terraces whilst listening to some live piano jazz, or simple dine in luxury for an evening. Whatever you do, visit and stay at Coombe Abbey; there’s something for everyone.
The Hospitality Boss Rating
Overall rating (out of 5)
