Hotel Du Vin is the kind of place you visit when you’re out to impress or perhaps looking for somewhere that bit classier. It is stylish, chic and sexy, and importantly, not pretentious or too posh to be intimidating.

And when it comes to locations, there can be no better setting for a hotel such as this than Cheltenham – the beautiful Regency spa town set in the heart of the Cotswolds and just an hour’s drive down the M5 from the West Midlands.

Formerly the Carlton Hotel, the Cheltenham Hotel du Vin is a unique, luxury boutique hotel located in the chic Montpellier district, just a stone’s throw away from the shops and fantastic bars the town has. Situated anywhere else, it may seem a little over the top, but in here the sophistication fits in perfectly.

The Cheltenham hotel offers 49 exquisite high-ceilinged bedrooms and boutique suites, all decorated in sumptuous style.

Boasting names such as Planeta, they are every bit as luxurious as they sound. How many hotel bathrooms have three sinks as well as an enormous walk-in monsoon shower? And how many rooms have a large free standing bath as the centrepiece? The bed makes a king-size look like a double and the wardrobes are enormous.

And when you look out of the large windows on to the tree-lined Parabola Road that leads onto the Ladies College, you know you are staying somewhere stylish.

Hotel Du Vin is many things. It is not just a hotel attached to a bar and bistro, it is designed to be an inspirational place to meet, propose, get married, do business, use as a base for a weekend trip, a private retreat for a celebration, a spa or even attend a wine school.

It could of course simply be the venue for a fantastic lunch out. And if you are looking for a day’s pampering, guests can relax in one of the beauty treatment rooms.

As soon as you walk in the Cheltenham hotel’s Grape & Grain Bar, with secluded seating areas, and centred around a showpiece spiral staircase, you are impressed. Look again and you will notice the spectacular chandelier is made of wine glasses. If you’re feeling extra flush, head to the Champagne Bar.

The Hotel Du Vin bistro serves a menu of modern European cuisine with extensive al fresco dining. You can dine in the main restaurant or book a private dining room. The food is based around simple classics, with ingredients locally sourced. Head chef Michael Wilson adds his own selections daily.

And the cellar is huge; the wine list is so extensive you could take all night reading it, or just give up and order what the house offers, but the staff will help you choose something that complements your meal perfectly. If you are a real wine lover there is a Laroche tasting room.

Hotel Du Vin is not cheap, but you pay for what you get and if you’re looking at a night’s stay then you might not mind splashing out for a special occasion. Failing that, lunch in the bar is reasonably priced with snacks for £5 each or three courses for £13.50.

Eating in the restaurant does not have to break the bank either. The bistro also offers fine dining that won’t prove too hard on the pocket, with offers recently including two courses and a bottle of wine, followed by coffee for £29 for two.

As well as Cheltenam, there are Hotel Du Vins in Birmingham, Bristol, Brighton, Cambridge, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Harrogate, Henley-on-Thames, Newcastle, Poole, Tunbridge Wells, Winchester and York. Each has its own style – Birmingham’s is in a former eye hospital and Bristol is a magnificently restored Sugar House.

From January rates are standard double rooms from £145, superior doubles from £155, deluxe doubles from £165 and executive and twins from £180. The most expensive rooms are the suites, ranging from £225 for a junior to £285 for a deluxe and £285 for a principal suite. Watch out for special rates from £89 room only or £125 bistro, bed and breakfast.

Continental breakfast is £9.95 and full English £13.50.

Log on to www.hotelduvin.com

By James Wildman