The Retreat Hotel, Elcot Park

Booked here last minute for a one night stay with my husband as we wanted a night to spend some time together after the Christmas chaos. As soon as we stepped into the hotel I felt relaxed, the decor was beautiful (all tied up in a big bow for Christmas). What made this place for me was the staff. I only got Kate’s name (thank you for showing us round) but every single member of staff we encountered was genuinely friendly & helpful. You could see how hard they were all working to make everyone’s stay a good one, it really made this place feel special. Being able to use the spa facilities from 2pm on the day of arrival was as amazing and allowed us to decompress before check-in at 4pm. The spa never felt too busy. Loved being able to use the outdoor pool in December. There were some welcome complimentary surprises in the evening to make us feel a bit special. Enjoyed the piano music in the bar where I ordered my fave cocktail which wasn’t on the drinks menu& it was crafted to perfection. Rooms were comfortable & nicely decorated with tea choice & coffee machine. Ate in Yu and really enjoyed our meal. Breakfast was buffet but loads of choice and had the dining room to ourselves. I wished we could have stayed longer & would definitely go back, especially at this time of year, everything you need in one place to relax.

A super stay - everything was perfect. The rooms were good and loved having access to the pantry! The spa facilities were lovely to relax in and were well maintained and not too busy. Dinner and drinks were excellent along with a super pianist - very talented. Breakfast the next morning was tasty and hearty with plenty of choice. We loved our stay and will definitely be back!

A truly exceptional stay. The hotel is fabulous. We arrived on the 27th December for a two night stay to celebrate my husbands 50th Birthday. The beautiful red bow around the house and stunning outside Christmas decorations were a welcome sight.! Check in was perfect and we were shown to our room which had fabulous views! We ate in both restaurants and the food was wonderful..! The decor of the hotel is stunning! So much to look at. The Spa was great, the outdoor pool was a delight and great to swim in. Outdoor hot pool/tub was so relaxing albeit not as warm as could have been but still lovely. Spa is decorated to a high standard and the gym and relaxation room were great Spa dry robes are such a good idea - i bought one and so handy to have at home..! Complimentary pantry was a great touch and lots of choice. Complimentary Champagne at 4pm and Aperitif at 9pm was a gorgeous treat..! I also loved the onsite shop/ cafe and Salon. Staff were incredible - Olivia in '1772' was a delight and Joe in 'Yu' was great. We had such a relaxing, wonderful stay. I have recommended to so many friends and have booked to return in December..! We felt like we were staying at a cosy/country/ family home with a dash of private member vibe on the side..!! I think you can tell i loved it - Just wish I lived a little nearer to visit more..!

No wardrobes; just a hanging rail. I think we expected more of a heritage room. The others in our party got "free" drinks which we were told ended at 4.30 and, when we went for ours at 4.33, were told we were too late but could buy them. We declined and watched our friends drink theirs! NYE food was barely warm and on cold plates didn't help. We were disappointed with the music as it was not what we felt we could dance to being of an older generation! We all felt it was a little loud and very same-y all night. No variety to suit all ages. We did like being seated at individual tables which we appreciated. We couldn't fault any of the staff who were kind, friendly and proactively helpful. Too many "niggles" to overlook. So, sadly, I think we will seek a more suitable venue for us next year.

Lovely atmosphere at this time of year, a balance between public and private spaces, with welcoming fires and classy decorations. Service was super friendly and efficient, perhaps a bit slow in the restaurant. The room was pleasant - but not exceptional for £285/night - with a nice view. Surprisingly the bed and bedding were not as comfortable as expected - Premier Inn mattresses and pillows are superior! But it was a nice break and the whole place is delightful

It was NYE, the bar staff exceptionally slow just after lunch. The ambience and hotel fantastic, the group very good however the food in the evening was served on cold plates meaning the time it got to you was luke warm at its best which meant we didn’t eat it! Service at breakfast excellent! Would book again at a different time, I suspect serving so many people made it very difficult to maintain a high standard.

The hotel is set in a rural location so the views are excellent. The room was a Wessex and idea for a short stay, it was clean and the bed was very comfortable. No safe or mini fridge. Food at the 1772 Brasserie was good and flavoursome, however breakfast was a buffet affair so expect queues at the separate food stations when busy. All staff were very polite, friendly and attentive. The indoor spa area is small but well equipped however the outside ‘ infinity pool’ looked like a normal swimming pool and did not look that appealing. Overall a good place to stay, eat and relax for a short stay.

We had a wonderful autumn Sunday at your hotel and wanted to share how much we enjoyed it. From the moment we arrived we felt relaxed, the spa was a real treat – a little busy, but we still managed to enjoy and chill. The little extras really stood out: the complimentary “pours” of wine and the self‑service pantry stocked with sweets, popcorn and flavoured water were a lovely surprise. Our room was comfortable, though a few things fell short of our expectations. The shower‑over‑bath was a bit cramped and underwhelming, the pillows were uncomfortable, and the duvet felt thin. On the bright side, the tea and coffee station, complete with a pod machine and fresh milk, was excellent. Dinner was a highlight. The dining room was beautifully lit, and the pianist added a wonderful ambience. Our starters, however, were disappointing – the duck salad, which we’ve loved on two previous visits, was extremely over‑vinegared and, despite mentioning it, nothing was done to address the issue. The rest of the meal was very good: creamy mussels and a perfectly cooked linguini pasta were delicious. Breakfast the next morning offered a good selection, though it was self‑service. The staff were friendly and attentive throughout our stay. Overall, the hotel’s charming setting, great little spa and warm hospitality made our visit memorable. We’re already planning to return – hopefully for a longer, more relaxing stay!

My husband and I spent the weekend here as a Valentine's gift to each other. The room and common areas were average, but the spa was fantastic and the restaurant was first class. We stayed on a dinner, bed and breakfast basis and the dinner was way beyond my expectations for an inclusive deal. I enjoyed a steak which I asked to be booked medium well and it was one of only a handful of times that I have received what I asked for - it was pink in the middle without being bloody and very tender. The grounds of the hotel are a lovely place to stroll and we went scrambling about trying to spot rabbits and partridges. I must admit that I didn't have huge expectations as this is a fairly pedestrian hotel chain, but what it may be lacking in terms of originality, the restaurant, spa and general surroundings make up for any shortcomings.