17 March 2004

Presenting Historic House Hotels: Hartwell House Hotel, Restaurant and Spa, Middlethorpe Hall, Bodysgallen Hall - Past, present and future perfect!

In the whole of the United Kingdom, there cannot be three more glorious places to stay than those known under the collective title of 'Historic House Hotels'. They combine all the comforts and luxury of contemporary Britain without neglecting the tradition that so many people enjoy. They are indeed the definitive hotels for the discriminating and sophisticated traveller and holiday maker.

Each hotel is in a building of aesthetic and historical distinction, surrounded by glorious award winning gardens, which alone are worth travelling hundreds of miles to admire.

Bedrooms are of such sublime comfort that you never want to leave them! Relax in amazing interiors that have been restored to the very apex of elegance and enjoy food that combines all that is best in British cooking, with a few light continental flourishes.

Service is so friendly and efficient that you will never have to lift a finger save to summon a waiter. And if you think such self indulgence might lead to excess, each hotel offers an invigorating spa and gymnasium to refresh the body and restore the tissues.

Bodysgallen Hall and Spa

Standing in 200 acres of its own parkland, to the south of the Victorian seaside town of Llandudno, this 17th century country house has spectacular views of the mountains of Snowdonia and of Conwy Castle. Beautiful gardens include a rare 17th century parterre of box hedges filled with sweet-scented herbs, a rockery with a cascade, a walled rose garden, and several follies. The former 18th century Stable Block has been converted into rooms ideal for meetings and private dining.

The Spa, voted one of the top 10 spa retreats by Conde Nast Traveller (March 2004), has therapists fully trained in Molton Brown, Clarins, E'SPA, OPI and Jessica who ensure that you leave feeling refreshed and invigorated, There is also the fabulous pool area with sauna, steam room and whirlpool, plus a well equipped gym

Middlethorpe Hall and Spa

Situated in a park just inside historic York, this glorious William and Mary house was formerly the home of the famous diarist Lady Mary Wortley Montagu. An ideal base for exploring the treasures of the North of England such as Castle Howard, the ruined abbeys and the famed Yorkshire Dales. There is also a conference centre, ideal for meetings, receptions, exhibitions and private entertaining.

With experienced therapists offering a wide range of treatments using Clarins, E'SPA, Jessica and St. Tropez products and the fantastic gym and pool area, you could forget to venture away from the hotel. And if you do, of course, you may well decide to go no further than the 20 acres of beautiful gardens with their lake, rare trees and haha.

Hartwell House Hotel, Restaurant and Spa

Hartwell House and Spa is set in 90 acres of beautiful parkland, and only an hour from London, and 45 minutes from Heathrow Airport. Hartwell was once the home of the French King, Louis XVIII. Set in rolling parkland, guests can play croquet and tennis. Nearby are fabulous Waddesdon Manor, Stowe Landscape Gardens and the dreaming spires of Oxford. Being conveniently located for Heathrow, Hartwell has become a very popular rendez-vous for receptions, conferences and meetings.

The refreshing spa has an indoor pool lined with blue mosaic tiles, a steam room, sauna and a bubbling whirlpool bath. There are also experienced therapists who are able to offer a wide range of beauty treatments using Clarins, E'SPA, Jessica and St Tropez products. For the energetic, a superb gymnasium has all the latest technologically advanced equipment, suitable for all ranges of fitness.

For further information, please contact Ian Scott, iscottptnr@dsl.pipex.com or 020 7439 1950.

For Mary bird, email mary@marybird.net or 020 8690 9677.

Note to Editor

Privately owned Historic House Hotels are part of Relais & Chateaux:

Bodysgallen Hall & Spa
Llandudno
North Wales
LL30 1RS
www.bodysgallen.com

Hartwell House Hotel, Restaurant & Spa
Oxford Road
Near Aylesbury
Buckinghamshire
HP17 8NL
www.hartwell-house.com

Middlethorpe Hall & Spa
Bishopthorpe Road
York
YO23 2GB
www.middlethorpe.com

If you would like to visit Bodysgallen Hall, Hartwell House or Middlethorpe Hall in order to review one or more of the hotels, please contact Mary on mary@marybird.net.