The Elms

The Elms

A Worcestershire country-house stay where Badgers' relaxed British cooking and the botanical Greenhouse Spa give food and wellbeing equal space in the visit.

At a glance

• Location: Abberley
• Main restaurant: Badgers
• Hotel award: 4 AA Red Stars
• Bedrooms / accommodation units: 23
• Wellbeing: Spa on Site

Why we like it

The Elms is appealing because dinner and downtime are both substantial reasons to come. The country-house setting gives the stay a sense of escape, while the interiors and spa introduce a playful, contemporary note. It suits couples who want an afternoon of swimming or treatments before dinner, and guests who prefer their restaurant to feel relaxed rather than ceremonious. The most rewarding visit allows enough time for both sides of the hotel. Arriving just before dinner and leaving immediately after breakfast would miss much of what makes the setting distinctive.

Eat

Badgers

Badgers is the restaurant to plan around for a normal stay. Its British menu, comfortable atmosphere and distinctive interiors give the evening a country-house feel without demanding the formality of a long tasting menu. The room is part of the pleasure: dinner can be a leisurely point in the day after time in the gardens or spa. Current published dinner hours are 6:30pm to 9pm, with a separate lunch service. The precise dishes change, so use the current menu when choosing the trip and communicate any dietary needs at the time of booking.

A stay centred on dinner

Badgers is also useful for guests who want to keep the whole break within the hotel. A longer lunch, an afternoon pause and a later dinner need not become the same meal repeated, provided the timetable and menu are checked. Older references to other dining concepts should not be used as a reservation plan without direct confirmation. For a celebration, discuss the desired atmosphere and table with the team rather than assuming that a particular photograph identifies the currently bookable restaurant. Dinner remains a separate reservation unless your chosen package specifically includes it.

Sleep

The Elms' country-house accommodation is part of a deliberately decorative experience. Choose a room by its actual space, bathroom and position, particularly if you plan to spend time upstairs between the spa and dinner. A room upgrade can make sense for an occasion when it gives you a place to sit and linger, but there is no need to assume that every category shares a suite's features. The AA's four Red Stars recognise the hotel experience; they are separate from any restaurant award. That distinction is helpful here because the stay is broader than the meal alone.

Retreat

The Greenhouse Spa is the main retreat draw. Its botanical presentation surrounds an indoor pool, hydrotherapy facilities, sauna and spaces to relax, with a gym for guests who want a more active interlude. The hotel currently states that overnight guests have spa access included; treatments remain appointments to arrange separately. Check the access rules that apply to your party and dates, especially when travelling with children or booking a treatment-focused break. A morning swim and a later treatment create a different day from one spent entirely around lunch and dinner, so decide which pace you want before filling the itinerary.

What guests say

Google rating: 4.5/5 from 849 reviews, checked 6 October 2026. Guests repeatedly praise the atmosphere, grounds and spa, with the pool and hydrotherapy features often central to a successful stay. Staff and dining also attract substantial positive feedback, though service, meals and aspects of the spa experience are less uniformly praised. The best match is a guest who wants both food and wellbeing and checks the actual access arrangements, room category and treatment appointment before arrival.

The Gourmet Getaway

The indicative price panel combines accommodation and breakfast for two with dinner for two. Read the menu basis and eligible service days for the selected option, then confirm both reservations for your dates. Drinks, dish supplements and service are additional. Official hotel packages have their own inclusions and terms.

Worth knowing

• Badgers currently advertises dinner daily from 6:30pm to 9pm.
• Overnight spa access and a booked treatment are separate inclusions. Confirm any treatment and age arrangements before arrival.
• Book the room and restaurant together when a celebration depends on both.
• The hotel's AA Red Stars describe the accommodation experience and should be read separately from restaurant recognition.

The Gourmet Getaways view

A strong match for guests who want a country-house restaurant break with a meaningful spa element. Give the Greenhouse and Badgers their own time in the visit, and choose the bedroom for how you intend to use it between the two.