Close to Rutland Water, this 18th-century former hunting lodge on the Exton Park estate which has been a hotel since 1989 received a rapid refurb for new owners the Signet Collection in 2023. A sister to The Retreat at Elcot Park (see entry), it is an easy-going sort of place, offering luxury on a budget to attract a broad spectrum of guests. Surrounding a stone courtyard, bedrooms range from affordable ‘classics’, through ‘heritage’, ‘culture’ and ‘royal’, though even the smallest have a king-size or super-king bed, a decanter of King’s Ginger, Bramley toiletries. Family suites have stripy wallpaper and a bunk room for the kids. The Fort Henry Suite has a copper roll-top bath, but, our inspector noted on an early recce, ‘it looks over the road rather than the reservoir’. Reception opens into ‘a comfy eating area that flows into the 1760 Brasserie, with orange banquettes and modern art, connecting to the Orangery’. Here you might eat a chargrilled burger, beef steak or the cauliflower equivalent, which comes with chimichurri, pickled red onions, hummus, pomegranate and flaked almonds. The outdoor spa is now open, complete with heated pool. 'A great-value stay for a visit to this enchanting little county.'