The Montpellier Chapter

Classic meets contemporary at this stylish yet unpretentious hotel with spa in Cheltenham’s stuccoed centre

We half expected to see Georgian lords and ladies pulling up in carriages outside The Montpellier Chapter, such is the grandeur of its neoclassical façade. But this impression lasted only as far as the door - inside, this elegant white villa has received a thoroughly modern makeover. Eames chairs and Matthew Hilton sofas dot the lobby, walls are festooned with avant-garde paintings by students at Central St Martin’s, and a sweeping arc of steel and claret-coloured glass by Ken Shuttleworth (the architect behind London's Gherkin) forms a distinctly 21st-century extension.

The first hotel for the Swire group’s Chapter brand, it’s sexy and sophisticated but not at all showy. A relaxed, contemporary approach extends from the staff uniforms (khaki trousers and Converse plimsolls) and unusual reception desk (a laptop perched on a rough wooden sphere) to the open kitchen in the informal restaurant and the technological wizardry in the 61 rooms. The building hasn’t lost its Regency soul, however: period touches include sash windows, fireplaces and a conservatory, and the divine treatments on offer continue Cheltenham’s spa tradition. It's a striking fusion, and it really works.

Highs

• Lashings of style with a low-key ambiance - ideal for laid-back breaks, trend-setters and business types alike
• Central location in buzzing Cheltenham's Montpellier district, handy for bars, boutiques and the Cotswolds
• The small spa is a great place to unwind, and guests get free use of the pool and tennis courts at nearby Cheltenham Ladies' College
• Beautifully designed restaurant, bar and courtyard for lingering over meals and cocktails
• Sleek rooms with complimentary minibars and impressive gadgetry - we loved the iPod Touches loaded with useful information (you can even use them to keep an eye on your bill)

Lows

• Feature Rooms have in-room bathtubs and showers, with only a flimsy curtain for privacy - not to everyone’s taste
• Some of the technology is a little too clever - it took us a while to suss out the heating controls in our room
• The cooked breakfasts (not included in the rates) were on the small side, although you can pad them out with items from the cold buffet
• The underground car park is very tight - manoeuvre with care!