Lucknam Park Hotel & Spa - The UK's AMAZING Greek-owned hotel

The top triple excellence in the longest-running Condé Nast Traveler Readers' Choice Awards went to the Lucknam Park Hotel & Spa in Chippenham, England, about 10 kilometres from Roman-era Bath.

In particular, the hotel owned by the Thanasis Laskaridis family was recognised as the top in 3 categories: Best Hotel in the United Kingdom, Best Spa Destination in the World, and Best Spa in the United Kingdom.

It is noted that in this year's event, more than half a million readers of Condé Nast Traveler voted, who were invited to rate their personal travel experiences, offering a complete picture of the world's hotels and destinations and at the same time expressing how much they wish to return to them.

The new, innovative investments

In this regard, the general manager of Lucknam Park, Mr. Sakis Dinas, referred, among other things, to the future plans of the hotel, which include the addition of 2 more cottage-style accommodation spaces in December, to the already existing seven luxury cottages, which have from the comfortable One bedroom Gate House to the massive four bedroom Squire's Cottage.

The two new stone-built cottages, Apple Tree and Pear Tree will feature fireplaces, charming country furnishings, and the much-coveted enjoyment of private gardens, particularly during the English summer.

At the same time, the general manager pointed to the arrival of a new restaurant and a new event space, as within the second quarter of 2024, the hotel is expected to open the Dovecot, meaning the pigeon house, a new bar for cigar smokers.

The new addition will be a conversion of the hotel's traditional dovecote, which will, among other things, offer a fully stocked bar, cigar humidors, floor-to-ceiling bookcases and an open balcony, thus reviving a quintessentially British venue for study.

Also, in the second quarter of 2024, the hotel's Brasserie is being remodelled to become the beautiful The Walled Garden restaurant. Here, guests will experience a seasonal dining experience consisting of local products and ingredients provided by the hotel's garden.

In addition, in the first quarter of 2024, further enhancement of The Spa at Lucknam Park is planned as the hotel is committed to continuous innovation and offering the best guest experiences. In particular, a special foot bath, an experiential shower experience and an infrared sauna are added to the spa.

What is Lucknam Park Hotel & Spa

Lucknam Park Hotel & Spa is an elegant country hotel of Palladian architecture, set in 500 acres of conservation parkland and owned by Relais & Châteaux. It includes 42 uniquely decorated rooms and suites and seven luxuriously appointed cottages ideally suited to families or larger groups of travellers.

Its culinary quiver includes Hywel Jones, an excellent restaurant boasting a Michelin star, and The Brasserie, for more casual dining.

Beautiful walled gardens and manicured lawns surround the iconic hotel. At the same time, the idyllic atmosphere of the English countryside is complemented by the hotel's equestrian centre, which enables guests to explore its extensive grounds on horseback.

Furthermore, its spa, The Spa at Lucknam Park, now considered the world's best, has exclusive partnerships with top-notch companies and offers various rejuvenation and wellness treatments.

The interesting history of the building

It is not known exactly when Lucknam began, but the ending of its name suggests that it was a Saxon settlement dating back to before the Norman invasion of 1066. From 1199 to 1688, there was a farmhouse on the current site of the main house.

James Wallis, a wealthy Bristol merchant, bought Lucknam for just £500. This area was famous for producing woollen cloth, and the Wallis family had been cloth merchants for several generations.

James Wallis owned two ships and traded various cargoes in Europe and America. In 1680, he imported 7,000 pounds of tobacco from Virginia, making a large fortune, which financed the purchase of Lucknam.

James Wallis likely built the central part of the building, with the rest of the buildings added at a later stage.

In 1708, Lucknam was inherited by his son, Ezekiel, aged 14. In 1728, he married Cecilia Selfe and served as Sheriff of Wiltshire the following year.

He died in 1735, and Cecilia remarried. As she had no children, the estate passed to her nephew Paul Methuen. The Boode 1827, Walmesley 1870 and Merry 1928 families followed.

Later 1987, Lucknam Park was acquired by Lucknam Park Hotels Limited, while in 1994, the Thanasisl Laskaridis family operated Lucknam Park as a hotel.

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