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Story & Photography by Manos Angelakis
The Lygon Arms Hotel The Lygon Arms is a 475-year-old showplace (the Inn was mentioned in 1532 in the Broadway Parish register), one of the most celebrated hotels in England, located on the main street of the Cotswolds village of Broadway. Oliver Cromwell stayed here before the battle of Worcester in 1651, and Charles I also used The Inn to meet his supporters on a number of occasions. The hotel has just completed the first phase of an impressive restoration program to I visited this Grand Dame of English hospitality during my journey to the heart of England, in June 2008. The front of the house is a warren of exquisite ancient sitting rooms with low, beamed ceilings, containing massive fireplaces, blazing all winter; they are perfect for afternoon tea. The restaurant, known as The Great Hall, is a grand barrel-vaulted room, very authentic in every detail. It displays heraldic shields, deer heads mounted on paneled walls, and has a Entering from the reception, there is a modern looking bar area, with a large Victorian-style lounge behind it. The bar has an exquisite collection of Single Malts, and I was not too surprised to find amongst them two of my favorites - Islay malts with a deep peat smell - Laphroaig and Lagavulin. In back, a fully modern spa has a mezzanine overlooking a neo-Roman pool and circular whirlpool. It is a bit overly theatrical, but well equipped. The glass ceiling imparts a solarium In general, guest rooms are large. There is a mix of traditional and more modern rooms, the latter with bold but attractive contemporary appointments, coordinated spreads and carpeting, and thoughtful lighting. The older units feature an eclectic mix of period furniture that runs the gamut from antique knickknacks to wingback chairs and distressed-wood dressers. Some have carpeting, and others enjoy hand-woven rugs over ancient plank floors. They all have dual-line phones with voice mail and data ports, TVs, trouser presses, luggage benches, and well-concealed radiators. My room, across the central court from the reception, had an obviously recently installed modern bathroom, complete with rainmaker shower, bath, double sinks etc. Rooms in the original part of the inn are among the most evocative and worth requesting, and those with fireplaces have the greatest appeal. One room contains a functional secret passage; another, a headboard from 1620. The Great Bedchamber is lofty, with a four-poster bed and ancient beam ceiling. The converted cottage, in back near the parking lot, has four oversized Junior Suites, with two king sized bed units upstairs and two units with four-poster beds on the ground floor. Each has a spacious marble bath and roomy sitting area. The staff is very polite and gracious. I wish I had more time to explore this hotel. New ownership and management (Barceló) are embarked in renovations that will bring this wonderful property to the 21st century, hopefully without loosing the charm and ambiance of a bygone era.
© August 2008 LuxuryWeb Magazine. All rights reserved.
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revitalize bedrooms and public areas, some that date back to the original structure. Original features such as the timber and flagstone floors, wood paneling, and stone mullions have been retained and refurbished and dramatically lit to highlight every architectural feature. Naturally, this restoration provided a wonderful opportunity to add an element of modernity to the facilities. Garden Wing and Orchard Wing bedrooms now have air conditioning, high-speed internet access, and state of the art audio systems.
minstrel's gallery topped by an ancient clock. Breakfast is served here in the morning, a great buffet of pastries, fruits, cereal, cold meats etc., plus cooked-to-order hot dishes. The quality of ingredients, cooking, and preparation was superb. Goblets, a brasserie in the building next to the main entrance, serves lighter Mediterranean-influenced dishes, along with classic English roasts. We had dinner there the evening of our arrival, and the waitress went out of her way to bring from the Great Hall kitchen Yorkshire Pudding, even though it is not normally included with the roast leg of lamb we had ordered. The wine list was not very extensive, but the wines were expertly chosen for the food served in the brasserie. 
effect. Treatment rooms provide a long list of health and beauty services. The roof garden proves relaxing, and the billiards room is a popular men’s retreat. Rose gardens, a croquet lawn, and an archery court stretch far back from the hotel, ending finally at a lighted tennis court.