Located near the village of Sunningdale, adjacent to Ascot’s famed horseracing district just 45 minutes from London, Coworth Park is the quintessential country manor house. Set amid beautiful grounds that edge up against Windsor Great Park, the hotel is part of the Dorchester Collection, with accommodations in the main mansion as well as in elegantly converted stables and cottages. My executive suite in the main mansion came equipped with a massive sitting room and equally impressive bathroom, complete with a deep, freestanding copper roll-top tub. The main room had generous workspace and several seating areas, with a supremely comfortable bed draped with curtains. The tall windows, which I immediately opened to let in the sound of birdsong, overlooked rose gardens and a green expanse leading to a polo field and training track for racehorses. I had high hopes for the level of service I’d experience, and my expectations were exceeded at every point. My only disappointment was one of the restaurants in the main house was closed both nights of my stay. After enjoying a traditional afternoon tea in The Drawing Room and exploring the expansive grounds on foot, my husband and I dined at The Barn, located a short walk from the main house. Brasserie-style dishes are a specialty here, and after being shown to a table in front of the massive stone fireplace, I enjoyed an excellent meal of pan-fried sea bream, crushed heritage potatoes and a dessert of steamed lemon sponge served with vanilla custard. One of my objectives while at Coworth involved enjoying the spa, located in a turf-roofed building a short walk from the mansion. I enjoyed a steam bath and swim in the ground-floor water area, then headed upstairs for an 80-minute Traveller’s Tonic treatment. The therapy involved controlled stretching and an assortment of massage techniques, and was extremely relaxing. Easily accessed from the city via train from London to Sunningdale, Coworth Park is an ideal location for those in search of classic English charm, high-level service and whatever level of leisure or activity is desired. The full-service equestrian center can organize rides or lessons for any skill level on the 240-acre estate, while hotel concierge staff can arrange for tours and outings in the surrounding area. Coworth Park Blacknest Road, Ascot Berkshire SL5 7SE, United Kingdom