Montpellier Chapter Hotel, Cheltenham, The Cotswolds

It was a tough choice choosing somewhere to stay for my tenth wedding anniversary. It had to be classy without being too awkwardly posh. The new Montpellier Chapter luxury boutique hotel was the best I could think of.

Phew, I was right. This hip hotel in a perfect location has a relaxed edge that is unusual in slick city centre accommodation.

It makes for a mix of smart, sexy, romantic and relaxing breaks. This designer hotel is great for food, bars, walking in the Cotswolds, shopping in Cheltenham.

The Chapter in Cheltenham’s trendy Montpellier district is first of a new chain of hi-tech luxury hotels. They’ve given a sexy make-over to an posh old building right in the heart of lovely smart tree-lined Cheltenham.

Inside the classical grand façade, the distinctive feature of the hotel is now an internal gravel courtyard around a big dogwood tree. This open space is surrounded by red and clear glass internal window panels in the shape of a crescent. This sets a cool designer atmosphere.

The hotel has one of Cheltenham’s best restaurants - in an old high vault-roofed room with huge industrial style lights. The feel is bistro and bright, the food top notch gastro.

There’s an iPod Touch in every room, linked to the audio-visual system giving you access to smooth playlists to suit each time of day. And there’s iPads everywhere – at reception and on your dining table acting as a wine list.

It could be cold and charmless if it wasn’t for a chirpy happy young staff team that create an almost wacky relaxed atmosphere in their casual Gap-style uniforms and intelligent non-robotic responses.

The food is the business. Top chef Simon Hopkinson helped sort out the menu prepared in a green-tiled open kitchen in front of you. I loved the little squares of salted pork crackling, fresk light seafood and vegetables that crunch. Our indulgent anniversary dinner with drinks was £100 for two. A quick snack before the theatre was about £30 for two.

Rooms: I saw the normal rooms. They’re cheap at £125 but smallish, dark and the designer style doesn’t work as well in that situation. I also saw the Penthouse and that was not as mind-blowing as it should be either, despite the small balcony and huge TV. No, I was happiest with our Superior Room 007 at £250.

Style is minimalist modern international with light wood and Cotswold stone. Hidden lighting, retro colours. Quality materials but few patterns or textures. Simple, relaxing. Dig the big bath in the centre of the room and open glass shower cubicle. Privacy flexible thanks to curtains pulled across the room at various points. A huge bed, film-star quality bedding, simple covers.

The room’s iPod and ‘media hub’ TV/audio system seemed complex at first but good playlists worked with subtle lighting for creating moods. Good sound quality. A fridge, an espresso maker to play with, fresh milk, free beer. A bottle of champagne on ice.

The rest: paperless check in, no reception desk, bar, library, conservatory, private basement dining rooms were slick and stylish too. Lots of big arty books to flick through, good squashy sofas, cocktails, mix of chatty sophisticated clients. Good quality music, nice sound system. Great art.

Also: There’s a small fitness room, spa treatments in your room and a proper spa coming, access to neighbouring college sports facilities, underground car park and an outside terrace to sit/drink/eat.

Some things I’d change: more/better/varied bread in restaurant, simpler lighting control in bedroom, and make the iPad wine-list do something more useful/entertaining.

Best thing: knob fell off bathroom door late at night. Could have been a right fuss and embarrassment. Staff handled it quickly, effectively and with a few laughs.




Contact the Montpellier Chapter Hotel here: montpellier chapter