A HOTEL in Droitwich has been labelled “highly unusual and fun” in The Times’ cool hotel guide.

Chateau Impney Hotel featured in the national newspaper on Saturday (October 3), with Tom Chesshyre rating it seven out of 10.

He wrote: “It’s highly unusual and fun but go for the best rooms and ignore the ugly adjoining conference centre.”

The journalist praised the architecture of the “extraordinary” French chateau, explaining eloquently that “turrets and pointy A-shaped roofs reach for the sky; tall French windows open onto terraces with balustrades; and grand steps sweep to ornamental gardens with fountains”.

He added that the décor is “smart and unfussy” throughout and highlighted the hotel's unique offerings including its own pale ale, Chateau Impney Bières’ ‘The Imp’, and the annual car hill climb.

Ben Elder, general manager of the hotel, said: “We’re absolutely delighted to be featured in such a high-profile list of hotels and it’s great to be able to put Droitwich on the map.

"We’ve always believed that the chateau is unique and it’s fantastic to see it recognised in one of the most well-revered newspapers in the world.

"Hopefully it will attract lots more people to the area, who will visit not only Droitwich, but Worcestershire as a whole.”

The article in The Times also outlined the history of the chateau, which was completed in 1875 by John Corbett in a bid to make his French wife feel at home.

Inspired by Versailles, the romantic gesture did not last long as Corbett and his wife separated in 1884.