Stapleford Park Hotel and Spa really is a hidden gem. Close to Melton Mowbray in Leicestershire, the country house hotel is set in 500 acres. There was mention of a building on the site in the Doomsday Book and you can still see footprints of the Tudor house in the current mansion. The main house was built a little over 230 years ago.
Accommodation
The hotel has 48 bedrooms and 2 cottages (Gardeners and Pavilion Cottage). Most of the rooms are in the main house and are a mixture of Suites, State Rooms, Grand Rooms and Manor Rooms. The self-contained cottages are in the hotel’s grounds. The Pavilion Cottage can sleep up to 6 in 3 bedrooms – with 3 bathrooms, its own kitchen and living room.
Facilities
The hotel has a full Spa. The pool, sauna, steam room and jacuzzi are in the main house. The Spa’s treatment rooms, gym and classes are based in the spectacular stable block, a short walk through the walled gardens from the main house.
The grounds are a mixture of lawns, walled gardens and wooded areas. They offer a perfect backdrop for summer parties and events. The hotel has a giant chess set, croquet lawn, French boules, putting green and tennis courts – all that are available for guests to use. There is a falconry and shooting connection if you wish to add to the countryside pursuits.
The hotel has a Bar that serves snacks and drinks throughout the day. The Grinling Gibbons Restaurant has 2 AA Rosettes. The Drawing Room is available for coffee, teas and formal afternoon teas and can also be used for dinner in the evening.
Hidden Gem
The venue has been a hotel for a number of years. The Sultan of Brunei’s wife used to own the hotel and used it as her own private country retreat. The family were happy with only a few private guests when they were not in residence, which is why the hotel remains a hidden gem. If you take a closer look at the rocking horse in the lounge off the lobby you will see the signatures of some famous people who visited the hotel for one of the many parties the Sultans’ family held – including Faye Dunaway, Sofia Loren, Joan Collins, Janet Jackson, Mariah Carey and Chaka Khan.
Meeting Space
The hotel has a selection of private spaces and rooms that can be used for both meetings and events.
The oldest space is the Old Kitchen (from the Tudor period). The space has a beautiful vaulted ceiling with pillars so it is ideal for dinners and receptions (seated dinner for 36).
The Billiards Room, with its full size billiards table, is available for delegates to play on. The table can be converted for dining or a meeting for up to 16.
The largest spaces are the Grand Hall and the Orangery, if used combined these can accommodate up to 200. The Grand Hall on its own seats 180 for dinner.
The additional spaces are ideal for smaller groups or as breakout spaces: Harborough Room holds 24 boardroom, Falcon & Mews Room holds 20 boardroom and Morning & Gilt Room also holds 20 boardroom.
You can really tell that many of the staff and the rooms are used to hosting royalty. I can honestly say I have never experienced better service. The hotel offers the perfect retreat. The hotel’s tranquil setting and many onsite facilities provide an ideal environment for teams to get away and work together.
