Donnington Valley Hotel, Golf & Spa

You know that stretch of Old Oxford Road between Donnington and Newbury where everything suddenly goes quiet and green? That’s where you’ll find Donnington Valley Hotel tucked away – and honestly, it’s one of those places that surprises you in the best way. I mean, from the outside it looks like your standard 4-star business hotel, but there’s something about the setting that just works. The building sits in this lovely valley (hence the name, obviously) with the golf course rolling out in front of it, and on misty mornings it actually feels quite magical.

The spa here is genuinely impressive – not just a couple of treatment rooms and a small pool like some places. They’ve got this whole thermal suite thing going on, and the pool area has these massive windows overlooking the golf course. I spent way too much time just floating around watching golfers trudge past in the rain, which was oddly relaxing. The rooms are what you’d expect from a solid 4-star – clean, comfortable, decent-sized bathrooms – though the ones facing the car park are a bit meh. Ask for a valley view if you can; it’s worth the extra cost. Parking’s free and plentiful, which is brilliant since you’re basically in the middle of nowhere without a car.

What really sets this place apart is how it manages to feel both relaxed and put-together at the same time. The staff actually seem to know what they’re doing (rare these days), and the restaurant’s better than it needs to be – they do this Sunday roast that locals drive out for, which tells you something. It’s popular with golfers, obviously, but also wedding parties and weekend breakers from London who want somewhere that feels properly countryside without being twee. The 7.8 rating seems about right – it’s not going to blow your mind, but it does everything well without any major complaints. Plus, you’re only about ten minutes from Newbury if you need actual civilization, and the train to London’s dead easy from there. Just don’t expect much nightlife within walking distance – bring a book.