DoubleTree by Hilton Cheltenham-Cotswolds
Corporate brand
UnclaimedA historic Regency-era hotel in Charlton Kings, Cheltenham, operating under the DoubleTree by Hilton franchise and combining period architecture with contemporary accommodation, dining, events and leisure facilities.
Last updated August 25, 2026
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Overview
DoubleTree by Hilton Cheltenham-Cotswolds is a hotel in Charlton Kings, on the eastern side of Cheltenham in Gloucestershire, England. The property occupies a historically significant Regency-era house formerly known as Lilleybrook and later as the Cheltenham Park Hotel. Its current identity combines the heritage of a country house with the standards and service framework associated with the DoubleTree by Hilton hotel brand. The building stands on the site of an ancient manor. The house was rebuilt or substantially improved around 1700 and underwent another major reconstruction in the early nineteenth century. Rear-Admiral Robert Mansell acquired the property in 1816 and carried out important improvements. A serious fire damaged the building in 1831, after which it was rebuilt again in 1833. That reconstruction produced the principal house that survives today and gives the property its Regency character. During the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, Lilleybrook was a private residence associated with several military, landed and professional families. Mansell lived there with his wife, Frances Charlotta Thorold, until his death in 1838; she remained at the house until 1846. The property subsequently passed through the ownership or occupation of Captain Shapland Swiny, John Thornely, the Dugdale family and the Lord family. Herbert Owen Lord and Mary Ollivant Dugdale Lord made Lilleybrook their home after Mary inherited it in 1896. Herbert Lord was associated with the Cotswold Hunt, while Mary served as a local Red Cross leader and used the estate for charitable activities. The house became particularly associated with community and wartime hospitality during the First World War. In 1915, Mary Lord hosted a large garden party for wounded soldiers recovering in local Red Cross hospitals. The event brought together hundreds of soldiers, nurses and guests and was attended by members of the Bowes-Lyon family. This episode reflects the property's role not only as a private country residence but also as a venue for local civic and charitable life. The Lord family sold the property in 1921. In 1922, it opened as a hotel, beginning its long-term use as a hospitality property. It was subsequently known as the Cheltenham Park Hotel before being renovated in 2017. After the renovation, the hotel adopted the DoubleTree by Hilton franchise. The property is managed by Michels & Taylor, while the DoubleTree affiliation connects it to Hilton's international hotel network and brand standards. The hotel serves both leisure and business guests visiting Cheltenham, the Cotswolds and nearby attractions. Its offer includes guest accommodation, food and beverage services, meeting and event space, and leisure amenities such as a fitness facility. The property's principal differentiation is the combination of a historic house setting, access to the Cotswolds region and the recognizable DoubleTree service proposition, including the brand's customary chocolate-chip-cookie welcome. It remains an operating hotel, although detailed public information about ownership, financial performance, senior property executives and exact room or facility specifications is not established in the supplied references.
History
The hotel occupies the site of an ancient manor at Charlton Kings near Cheltenham. The property was rebuilt or improved around 1700 and was substantially altered again in 1816 after Rear-Admiral Robert Mansell acquired it. In 1831, the house suffered severe fire damage. The Mansell family rebuilt it in 1833, creating the principal Regency-era structure that remains associated with the hotel. Lilleybrook was a private residence for much of the nineteenth century. After Mansell's period of ownership, it was associated with Captain Shapland Swiny and then with John Thornely. Following Thornely's death, the property passed through the inheritance of Mary Thornley Ollivant and entered the Dugdale family through her marriage to William Dugdale. It was rented to several occupants, including Lieutenant Colonel Robert Cumming and Jane Crawshay Gwynne. In 1896, Mary Ollivant Dugdale inherited Lilleybrook. She had married Herbert Owen Lord the previous year, bringing the property into the Lord family. The Lords lived at the house and were prominent in local society. Herbert Lord served as Master of the Cotswold Hunt, while Mary was active in the Red Cross. During the First World War, she used the grounds for charitable events, including a 1915 garden party for wounded soldiers from local Red Cross hospitals. The gathering reportedly involved several hundred soldiers, nurses and guests and included members of the Bowes-Lyon family. The Lord family sold the property in 1921. In 1922, Lilleybrook opened as a hotel, establishing the commercial hospitality use that continues today. The property later operated under the name Cheltenham Park Hotel. A renovation was completed in 2017, after which the hotel adopted the DoubleTree by Hilton franchise and took its current branded identity. The hotel is managed by Michels & Taylor. Its present offer combines accommodation, dining, meetings, events and leisure facilities within a historically important building serving visitors to Cheltenham and the Cotswolds.
- 2017
Renovation and DoubleTree affiliation
[1]The building was renovated and subsequently adopted the DoubleTree by Hilton franchise.
- 1922
Property opens as a hotel
[1]The former private residence began operating as a hotel.
- 1921
Lord family sells the property
[1]The Lord family sold Lilleybrook.
- 1915
Wartime Red Cross garden party
[1]Mary Lord hosted a large event for wounded soldiers from local Red Cross hospitals, reinforcing the property's role in community and charitable life.
- 1896
Property enters the Lord family
[1]Mary Ollivant inherited Lilleybrook, and through her marriage to Herbert Owen Lord the house became associated with the Lord family.
- 1833
Regency house rebuilt
[1]The Mansell family rebuilt the property after the fire; this is the principal historic house incorporated into the present hotel.
- 1831
House damaged by fire
[1]A major fire badly damaged Lilleybrook.
- 1816
Robert Mansell acquires Lilleybrook
[1]Rear-Admiral Robert Mansell purchased the property and carried out major improvements to the house.
- 1700
Manor house rebuilt or substantially improved
[1]The ancient manor site was rebuilt or significantly improved around this period, forming an early stage in the property's architectural development.
Products and positioning
Upscale business and leisure hotel combining a historic Regency country-house setting with DoubleTree by Hilton's internationally standardized hospitality proposition.
Hotel rooms and suites
Guest accommodation
The hotel's core offering is overnight accommodation in a historic Regency-era property in Charlton Kings. The lodging proposition is aimed at visitors to Cheltenham, the Cotswolds and the surrounding area, with the DoubleTree brand providing the wider service framework.
Hospitality and event services
Meetings and events
The property offers space and services for business meetings, conferences, private functions and other events. Its country-house setting also supports social occasions and celebrations.
Food and beverage
Dining and bar services
Food and beverage services form part of the hotel's full-service hospitality offer, supporting resident guests, meetings, events and leisure visits.
Fitness and leisure
Leisure facilities
The hotel provides leisure amenities including a fitness centre, complementing its accommodation and business-event services.
Brand decisions
2017
Adoption of the DoubleTree by Hilton franchiseStrategyBackground
Following renovation work, the historic hotel changed from its earlier Cheltenham Park Hotel identity to an affiliation with the DoubleTree by Hilton brand.
Action taken
The property adopted the DoubleTree franchise while retaining its historic building and local Cheltenham-Cotswolds positioning.
Aftermath
The hotel continued operating as a branded hospitality property and is managed by Michels & Taylor.
Sources1 sources
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