SUITE DREAMS

Suite dreams We reveal some of the chicest hotels including a hot new opening in Cheltenham

THE RED LION HOTEL, SALISBURY, WILTSHIRE

This 800-year-old, four-star hotel marries historic features with everything you would expect from a modern hotel. It’s the oldest purpose-built hotel in Europe that has been tastefully decorated in keeping with the age and character of the original property.

Accessed through impressive gates, the vine-draped courtyard provides a charming backdrop for big-day photographs with its lion statues and fountains. Being just a five-minute walk from Salisbury Cathedral, this iconic building provides another photo option.

Ceremonies take place in the Marlborough Suite, the largest of the function rooms and one of two which make up the Courtyard Suite. It commands its own access from the courtyard, making it very private, and it’s a bright room filled with natural daylight. It also features a private bar and dancefloor, perfect for the reception, and can seat up to 60 guests for the wedding breakfast.

Adjacent to the Marlborough Suite is the Wellington Suite designed to open to the Courtyard Suite creating a large banqueting area for an evening function of up to 120 guests with its own entrance, toilets, dancefloor and bar.

The Vine Restaurant is tastefully decorated in keeping with the charm and character of the older parts of the hotel. A sympathetic extension saw the addition of a stunning conservatory that can seat up to 80 guests for the wedding breakfast. Ceremony licence? Yes Contact: 01722 323 334 https://the-redlion.co.uk www.facebook.com/RedLionHotelSalisbury www.instagram.com/redlionhotelsalisbury

♥ We love... that newlyweds get a complimentary stay in the luxurious Seamstress Suite or a choice of the elegant four-poster bedrooms. Wedding party guests are also offered a discounted room rate.

THE GEORGE, CHELTENHAM, GLOUCESTERSHIRE

Owned and run by Jade & Julian Dunkerton, The Lucky Onion is a family of boutique hotels and elegant country pubs located in the heart of the Cotswolds. Ever-expanding, the portfolio of properties, each with its distinct character and personality, all share the brand’s ethos for great design, high-quality food and drink and exceptional service.

Boutique hotels No. 131 and No. 38 The Park are located in Cheltenham, as well as The George which is the newest flagship hotel in the Cult Hotels collection which offers design-led hotels in some of the UK’s best towns and cities. Its cool, savvy concept has breathed life into the historic setting and it’s home to 46 bedrooms, sweeping staircases, ornate coving and elegant panelling paired with bold colours, mismatched textures and industrial design.

While it’s not licensed for weddings, it’s the perfect pick for guest accommodation or a staycation honeymoon.

Ceremony licence? No Contact: 01242 650 675, www.culthotels.com/locations/the-george www.instagram.com/cult_hotels

♥ We love... sister properties The Wheatsheaf, The Tavern, The Hollow Bottom and The Crown Inn.

Turn to page nine to read more.

GRAY MANOR HOTEL, CHOLDERTON, WILTSHIRE

This quirky, family-run hotel and exclusive-use wedding venue sits on five acres of land with the exterior flanked by jasmine and clematis trailing the walls during summer. Inside, there are plenty of Instaworthy touches with its shabby chic styling. The comfortable bedrooms accommodate up to 60 wedding guests and there’s a designerinspired bridal suite decorated in black and gold.

Ceremonies take place in a choice of three spaces with a flexible seated banqueting area for the wedding breakfast for up to 180 guests. There’s a dancefloor and room for live musicians or a DJ, and couples can make use of the complimentary decorative touches offered such as chair sashes, centrepieces, flowers, table gems and napkins.

Outside is a photographer’s dream, with a magical secret garden propped with quirky pieces of furniture and atmospheric lighting, ideal for al fresco summer celebrations. There’s a Japanese pergola that acts as a wonderful backdrop for photos, as well as the pretty rose flower bed.

Ceremony licence? Yes Contact: 01980 629 542, www.graymanorhotel.co.uk www.facebook.com/graymanorhotel

♥ We love... the flexible wedding packages, free menu tasting sessions for couples who have booked a wedding at the venue and the exceptional customer service with couples and family members invited back for anniversaries and other special dates.

TEWKESBURY PARK, GLOUCESTERSHIRE

Tewkesbury Park is set in 165 acres of parkland commanding an enviable position overlooking the famous site of the 1471 Battle of Tewkesbury. It’s just five minutes from junction nine on the M5 on the doorstep of Tewkesbury and within easy reach of Cheltenham, Gloucester and Worcester.

In 2019, the family-owned hotel, golf course and spa completed an extensive four-year renovation costing £10 million. This saw the addition of nine luxury historic suites, two new spa rooms, two meeting rooms, an orangery, a cocktail lounge, a wood-fired pizza oven and an outdoor terrace. Recently, 17 new outdoor garden terrace rooms have also been added, turn to page nine to read more.

The Cotswolds Suite, an event suite with a glass façade, offers panoramic views and accommodates guests for the ceremony and reception. It can be subdivided into three equal sections; The Broadway Suite adjacent to the golf putting green; The Burford Suite which is the middle room and The Bibury Suite built next to the exclusive-use Berkeley Lounge, bar and terrace. It’s fully air-conditioned and features a video wall.

Ceremony licence? Yes Contact: 01684 272 300, www.tewkesburypark.co.uk www.facebook.com/TewkesburyPark www.instagram.com/tewkesburypark

♥ We love... the main restaurant, Mint, offering informal dining with delicious dishes made using the highest-quality ingredients.

CHISELDON HOUSE HOTEL AND RESTAURANT, SWINDON, WILTSHIRE

This wisteria-clad country manor house dating back to 1826 is nestled within three acres of pretty landscaped gardens in the Wiltshire countryside. The stone façade provides a beautiful backdrop for big-day photos and the interior is home to many traditional features including fireplaces, statement chandeliers and a stunning staircase.

Outdoor ceremonies take place under the thatched summerhouse located within the private secluded courtyard where up to 180 guests can gather. The picturesque courtyard and grounds are also a photographer’s dream, with Instaworthy touches at every turn including secluded wooded areas and pretty manicured gardens.

Alternatively, the indoor Borelli Suite overlooking the gardens seats up to 60 guests for the ceremony and is flooded with natural daylight. The reception can also be held here or there’s also the restaurant as another option.

Ceremony licence? Yes Contact: 01793 741 010, www.chiseldonhouse.com www.facebook.com/ChiseldonHouse www.instagram.com/chiseldonhouse