There aren’t many hotels which can boast John Malkovich as a stakeholder, a descendant of the Fry’s Chocolate family as a founder and a building which used to be a grim 1960s office block as its home.

But for The Big Sleep Hotel in Cheltenham, which opened its doors in December 2006, the talking points don’t stop there – as its pioneering, predecessor sister hotel, The Big Sleep Hotel Cardiff was also voted as one of the 25 coolest hotels in the world by Conde Nast Traveller, too.

So it should come as no surprise that all eyes have been firmly fixed on one of the Regency Spa town’s newest hotels for the past year (quite literally, in some respects, as The Big Sleep was also the star of a dramatic six-week behind-the-scenes documentary shown on ITV West this summer) with sceptics wondering whether ‘designer budget’ will cut the mustard with Cheltenham’s discerning visitors.

While outside the hotel looks like, well, a bland 1960s office block, entering the lobby – complete with calming, minimalist décor, offset by a giant Orla Kiely print and space age pink and neon green chairs – it was clear that this hotel was anything but mundane. While a well-stocked bar, nestled in the reception area, also suggested that it isn’t all work and no play at The Big Sleep as guests stopped for a quick tipple before heading out to take advantage of Cheltenham’s bright lights.

And you don’t have to go far to experience the acclaimed nightlife either, as the Big Sleep Hotel Cheltenham enjoys a location smack-bang in the middle of the town – just minutes walk from a plethora of boutique shops, bustling restaurants, chic bars, bass-thumping nightclubs, not to mention Cheltenham Town Hall and The Everyman Theatre (firm favourites with Cheltenham residents and visitors alike).

Back inside and the range of rooms on offer has been carefully devised to cater for exactly how guests are planning to take advantage of the hotel’s location. There are standard and twin rooms for those after nothing more than the basics, executive suites for business people looking to spread out during their stay, family studios boasting bunk beds and a kitchenette, group rooms for friends who don’t mind each other’s snoring and then two penthouses – for guests living it up, on a budget that is.

Our executive suite was characteristic of what all guests can expect to find at The Big Sleep – no frills and no fuss, just simplicity with a streak of cheeky design which wont fail to catch your attention. The bespoke furniture – all designed and crafted by founder Cosmo Fry at his own Formica factory in Bath – included a functional desk with wired-back chair, a stiff pink sofa and retro coffee table, and a fitted cabinet dividing the living room and bedroom – all hinting at an era 30 or 40 years passed.

Thick, shag pile curtains, a purple fringe dividing the room and mottled pastel-pink wallpaper decorating the bedroom mixed the decades up further still but, came together to make for a suite which we soon relaxed into – before heading out on the town.

With a fantastic location, genuinely innovative design and prices which make a shopping, eating, drinking, clubbing and even working spree in Cheltenham all the more affordable – The Big Sleep Hotel Cheltenham looks like it will continue to keep people talking for some years to come.

A Standard Room at The Big Sleep Hotel Cheltenham costs £85 per room per night, while a Family Studio, Group Room, Executive Suite and Penthouse Suite all cost £120 per room per night – including continental breakfast. Call (01242) 696999 or visit thebigsleephotel.com to book and for more information.

Michelle Byrne
28 October 2007