I was recently invited to stay at the beautiful Stanbrook Abbey Hotel, part of the luxurious Handpicked Hotels collection. It’s a gorgeous hotel, with a fascinating history. With roots back to the 1500s, Stanbrook Abbey Hotel is a former monastery with details that remain intact today. The hotel boasts the monastery’s stunning original architecture with stained glass windows, a Bell Tower, and beautiful cloisters for guests to explore. In this post, I’ll show you around my stay at Stanbrook Abbey Hotel.
Rooms at Stanbrook Abbey Hotel
There are a total of seventy bedrooms at Stanbrook Abbey, and the hotel itself is spread across acres of grounds so it never feels like you’re around too many other guests, which is perfect for a peaceful stay. We were lucky enough to stay in the Pugin suite, and it was beautiful. You’ll find some of the guest rooms are actually located in the original schoolhouse in the St Anne’s Wing. Some of the other bedrooms were added as part of the hotel’s recent £4.2m renovation.
The room itself was extremely spacious and super plush. One of the newest rooms at Stanbrook Abbey Hotel, the Pugin suite has rich colours and luxurious furnishings. Sink in to the four poster bed, and relax in the living area complete with sofas and a coffee table. Light beams in from the triple aspect windows, and you can enjoy all the little details around the room too, from the premium coffee maker to the upmarket toiletries.
We were very kindly treated to some complimentary goodies on arrival – a fresh fruit platter, some chocolates, and a bottle of champagne to enjoy. All these details – as well as the handwritten card – really do show the care and attention of the Handpicked Hotels brand, and of Stanbrook Abbey Hotel too.
Located in what was once the monastery’s archives room, the Pugin suite has a number of original features including beams, windows, and a fireplace. The four poster bed is huge, and has a Hypnos Lansdowne cashmere mattress to guarantee a super comfortable sleep. Additional accents like the coffee capsule machine, shortbread biscuits with your tea and coffee, and complimentary sparkling and still water make all the difference in making your stay extra special.
The bathroom is beautifully equipped, with a huge roll top bath as well as a walk-in shower. I’m a sucker for anywhere with a roll top bath, and made sure I spent a good few hours in there that evening. There are also his and hers sinks, as well as a walk-in shower and luxurious toiletries from Gilchrist & Soames. Pop on your Handpicked Hotels robe and slippers, drop a bath bomb into your bubble bath, and relax.
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The Grounds at Stanbrook Abbey Hotel
Stanbrook Abbey Hotel boasts an impressive twenty-six acres of beautifully manicured gardens and grounds. It certainly gives the hotel the ‘wow’ factor. In fact, Stanbrook Abbey is also an idyllic venue for a wedding, special event, or conference. Sheltered by the rolling Malvern Hills, the hotel is in a pretty spot in the heart of the Worcestershire countryside. It’s incredibly peaceful, with dozens of places to explore including the hotel’s very own Willow Lake. We set off to explore the gardens.
You can enjoy a cocktail on the al fresco terrace of George’s Bar, and soak in the calm surroundings of goats grazing on the grass in front of you. It really is a wonderful retreat from the stresses of everyday life.
Part of the magic of the hotel grounds is the fact it’s steeped in history. One of the most prominent features is the historic Bell Tower. If you’re a guest, you’re able to climb the tower yourself for impressive views across the Malvern Hills and beyond.
Just around the corner, you’ll discover the calm oasis of Willow Lake. We relaxed on the swing hanging from a willow tree and took in the peaceful environment – the perfect spot for enjoying a glass of wine or two.
You can spend quite some time wandering the grounds of Stanbrook Abbey Hotel. They’re extensive, and on a beautiful sunny day, it’s the perfect place for a peaceful walk in the countryside. Afterwards, stop by the al fresco terrace at George’s Bar for an icy drink to cool down.
Dining in The Refectory
One of the highlights of our trip to Stanbrook Abbey Hotel was dinner at The Refectory, a brasserie-style dining experience. We walked down from our room through the beautiful cloisters to find the restaurant. Having recently undergone a £4.2m renovation, The Refectory is a new addition to the hotel. It’s actually located in the site of original nun’s dining room when Stanbrook Abbey was a monastery.
The Refectory serves up a delicious menu of contemporary British food, using locally sourced ingredients wherever possible. As well as a tasty dinner menu, The Refectory is also the perfect spot for afternoon tea and Sunday lunch. The decor is beautiful, with comfortable booths and an al fresco terrace.
We started off with some complimentary freshly baked bread with balsamic vinegar and olive oil. Next up – the Butchers’ board to share. We grazed on Serrano ham, chorizo prestigio, ham hock, celeriac remoulade, balsamic onions, and garlic pizzetta. It was all delicious, the perfect appetiser for our main courses.
For my main course, I chose a 35-day rare breed sirloin steak with green peppercorn sauce. It was served with a Portobello mushroom, vine tomatoes, triple cooked chips, and tender stem broccoli with chilli and aioli. Absolutely delicious and highly recommended! All of this was washed down with a bottle of Sauvignon Blanc.
Once we’d eaten, we headed across the cloisters to George’s Bar. We sat and sipped cocktails while enjoying the ambience of the bar, reflecting on our stay at the beautiful hotel. If you visit, try a Rhubarb Fizz – so tasty and refreshing!
After sinking into the cloud-like four poster bed and sleeping like a log, we headed back down to The Refectory for breakfast the next morning. On the menu, you’ll find classic dishes like a Full English, and pastries. I opted for smoked salmon with scrambled eggs, and it was delicious.
After the perfect stay away, we packed up and headed out for one last explore of the beautiful grounds of Stanbrook Abbey Hotel in the sunshine. It was the most wonderful break, and one I highly recommend to anyone looking for a peaceful staycation destination.
That’s my guide to Stanbrook Abbey Hotel in Worcester. Have you stayed here before, or would you fancy a stay? Let me know in the comments below!
