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The Green Bough Hotel - Chester

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Boutique hotel in lovely Chester

This gem of a boutique hotel is the perfect place to wind down after a heavy week at work, snooze, eat great food, potter around the beautiful and historic city of Chester and maybe drive into the beautiful countryside that surrounds it. The Green Bough Hotel is situated in a lovely Victorian townhouse on a leafy road leading into Chester city centre - far enough from the bustling shops and attractions of the city, and yet close enough to be able to saunter in once you want to indulge.

Cosy and yet stylish, the hotel exudes comfort, with individually-designed bedrooms boasting big antique beds, sumptuous fabrics, well-thought-out en-suites and, of course, your own teddy bear to keep you company. Choose from standard, deluxe, or the hotel’s gorgeous suites for your stay.

Downstairs, the welcoming interior design continues, with a Champagne bar lounge proffering a huge fireplace and comfy chairs to lounge in. The Green Bough’s acclaimed restaurant, The Olive Tree, is decadent, but just as relaxing, with Italianate wallpaper and oil paintings lining the walls and tables lit by candlelight. Lovingly-prepared menus put together by head chef Philip Martin, are full of British dishes with a sophisticated twist. Local and seasonal produce play a huge part, and the set menu option means an amazing meal at The Olive Tree need not break the bank. Even the canapés – presented in the lounge pre-dinner - will stick fondly in your mind for a long time to come.

Where is it?

The Green Bough Hotel is just a few minutes’ walk from the historic centre of Chester – an almost perfect, but oft-overlooked weekend destination. Sitting somewhat in the shadow of its North-West superpower neighbours, Manchester and Liverpool, it is a beautiful and historic city, with fantastic shopping and some stunning countryside right on its doorstep. Fans of Hollyoaks may know the city centre as the place to go when your boyfriend’s dumped you and you need some retail therapy, while the cult of Cheshire’s WAGS has also made its mark on the city’s shopping facilities, but all this belies Chester’s remarkable medieval architecture, including its ancient city walls and huge cathedral – the most complete monastic complex still standing in the UK (www.chestercathedral.com Tel: 01244 324756).

Everything to see and do in and around Chester is within easy reach of The Green Bough. If history is your bag, you’ll be delighted – it’s everywhere. The fab Grosvenor Museum (www.grosvenormuseum.co.uk Tel: 01244 402008) is the bet place to start, taking you through Chester’s famous Roman heritage right up to the present day. Otherwise, The Chester Heritage Tour (www.chesterheritagetours.co.uk Tel: 0870 765 6840), on a gorgeous open-topped vintage bus, is a great way to experience Chester and its history in a nutshell.

If you’re more interested in Armani than architecture, however, you’ve also hit the right place. Chester has become a shopping mecca in recent years, with its black-and-white Tudor buildings full of designer brands. The best place to start is probably Tessuti (www.tessuti.co.uk Tel: 01244 312585), the headquarters of Chester shopping, including designer concessions from Alice Temperley, Paul Smith and Vivienne Westwood. With over 1000 shops within easy walking distance, many on the picturesque medieval second-level walkways that circle the city centre, you’ll need to leave your credit cards at home if you’re easily tempted. Alternatively, you could visit Cheshire Oaks (www.cheshireoaksdesigneroutlet.com Tel: 0151 348 5600), a huge out-of-town outlet village that sells all your favourite high-end brands at cheaper prices.

Other Chester favourites are the famous and fabulous Chester Zoo(www.chesterzoo.org Tel: 01244 380 280) – the most popular zoo in the UK, and riverboat cruises on the pretty River Dee (www.chesterboat.co.uk Tel: 01244 325394), on which Chester stands. Alternatively, you could escape the city altogether and explore the beautiful countryside east of Chester and into nearby Wales. In fact, why not do it Cheshire footballer-style, in your own supercar? Northern Ferrari Hire (www.northernferrarihire.com Tel: 0845 260 8 360) hire out Ferraris, Aston Martins, Lamborghinis and other auto-monsters for a day, or a whole weekend.

Where can I eat?

The Olive Tree at The Green Bough is a no-brainer of an eating option. Not only is it fantastic, but there’s also nothing better than enjoying an amazing meal and a bottle, or two, of wine knowing that you’re within stumbling distance of your bed.

If you are looking for alternatives, however, there is plenty on offer. The Michelin-Starred Arkle restaurant at The Chester Grosvenor Hotel and Spa (www.chestergrosvenor.com Tel: 01244 324024) is a real destination of a place to eat, with inventive and vibrant menus accompanied by one of England’s largest and most explorable wine lists. Otherwise Brasserie 10-16 (www.brasserie1016.com Tel: 01244 322288) is a buzzy, informal and popular restaurant with fantastic, sophisticated food for all budgets. British, Mediterranean and oriental influences all get a look-in. Or you could try the Chester institution that is Francs (www.francs.co.uk Tel: 01244 317952), a super-friendly French restaurant that offers fantastic seasonal menus and any excuse for a bit of a knees-up.

If you want out of the city, just 15 minutes’ drive takes you to the rural village of Higher Burwardsley and The Pheasant Inn (www.thepheasantinn.co.uk Tel: 01829 770434). Award-winning British dishes made with local and seasonal produce are almost as stunning as the breathtaking views across the Cheshire countryside outside. If you’re after a picnicky day out, Chester is full of great delis and specialist foodie shops, including the much-loved Cheese Shop (Tel: 01244 346240), which stocks over 100 British cheeses.

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This gem of a boutique hotel is the perfect place to wind down after a heavy week at work, snooze, eat great food, potter around the beautiful and historic city of Chester and maybe drive into the beautiful countryside that surrounds it.