No 131 is a Selected hotel located in Cheltenham, United Kingdom. It has been recognized by the Michelin Guide for its exceptional hospitality and unique experience.

How many Michelin Keys does No 131 have?

No 131 has been awarded Selected by the Michelin Guide, indicating a very special stay.

Where is No 131 located?

No 131 is located in Cheltenham, United Kingdom, in the Europe region.

What makes a Selected hotel special?

Selected hotels provide very special stays with excellent service and a unique sense of place.

How do I book No 131?

You can view more details and booking information for No 131 through the Michelin Guide website. Each Michelin Keys hotel offers a unique booking experience tailored to their guests.

No 131 | Selected in Cheltenham, United Kingdom

Name: No 131
Address: Cheltenham, Europe, United Kingdom
Rating: 4.5

Expert Review: No 131

No 131 in Cheltenham, a Michelin Key Selected property, consistently receives high praise for its stylish design, prime location, and vibrant atmosphere, blending Georgian elegance with contemporary flair.

1. Overall Rating & Sentiment

No 131 generally garners an "Excellent" to "Very Good" overall rating from guests, with scores often in the 8.5 to 9.0 range out of 10 on various booking platforms. The sentiment is overwhelmingly positive, with many guests describing it as "exceptional," "beautiful," and the "best hotel in Cheltenham." It's seen as a luxurious and trendy boutique inn with a lively ambiance, making it a popular choice for special occasions and those seeking a dynamic stay.

2. Key Highlights

Guests consistently highlight several standout features:

Design & Atmosphere: The hotel is celebrated for its distinctive blend of classic Georgian architecture on the outside and a contemporary, modern British, and sometimes urban-industrial chic design inside. Interiors feature high ceilings, vast sash windows, statement artwork, and lavishly upholstered furniture, creating an informally elegant yet lively vibe.
Location: Its central position on Cheltenham's iconic Promenade, directly opposite the Imperial Gardens, is a major draw. This allows easy access to shopping, the Montpellier district, and local attractions.
Dining & Bars: The on-site restaurants and multiple bars are a significant appeal, offering a comprehensive culinary and social experience. The hotel is known for its "vibe" and is often seen as a destination for both dining and nightlife.
Amenities: Free WiFi, well-equipped rooms, and attentive staff are frequently mentioned.

3. Room Quality

The 36 individually designed rooms at No 131 are consistently praised for their comfort and thoughtful design. They combine country-house charm with urban-industrial chic, or a stylish mod-British aesthetic. Key features include:

Comfort: Guests frequently commend the "incredibly comfortable" beds and luxurious Egyptian cotton sheets. Some rooms also feature down comforters.
Design Elements: Rooms often boast wooden panelling, tweed headboards, and curated decor. The top-tier rooms might include Chinoiserie-style paintings and luxurious throws.
Bathrooms: Many bathrooms are generously sized and feature rainfall showers, with some offering roll-top baths, walk-in showers, or even double showers and heated floors. Designer toiletries, such as Bramley and Acqua Di Parma products, are provided.
Amenities: Standard in-room amenities include Nespresso coffee machines, tea-making kits, minibars, flat-screen TVs with Sky TV and Apple movies, and free bottled water. Hot-water bottles are a charming touch.

4. Dining Experience

No 131 is a destination for dining, offering two main restaurants and several bars.

The Terrace: This brasserie-style restaurant serves seasonal European cuisine, focusing on local produce from breakfast through to late-night dining. It's particularly known for serving "the best breakfast in town," with options like eggs Benedict and kedgeree, alongside a popular "Ultimate Roast Sharing Platter" on Sundays. Dishes and drinks, including freshly pressed cocktails and the signature Chateaubriand, are crafted in-house.
Yoku: A Tokyo-style Japanese sushi and Asian dining experience with its own Bar Tokyo cocktail bar, Yoku offers an aspirational and exquisite setting for dinner. Guests have praised dishes like black miso cod and wagyu don.
Breakfast: A full breakfast is offered daily, with a complimentary continental buffet that includes bread, pastries, homemade jams, cold meats, cheeses, and fresh juices. Made-to-order hot dishes are also available à la carte.
Bars: The hotel features "Gin & Juice," known for its extensive selection of over 400 gins, and "Crazy Eights" downstairs, which has a lively atmosphere and often hosts DJs from Thursday to Saturday nights. Bar Tokyo is associated with the Yoku restaurant.

5. Service & Staff

Feedback on service and staff is largely positive, with many guests describing them as "attentive," "knowledgeable," and "exceptional." The team is noted for their "effortless hosting" and helpfulness, from reception staff offering room choices to accommodating wedding parties. Multilingual staff are also available.

However, there have been some criticisms regarding service inconsistencies, with a few instances of staff being described as "disengaged" or "underwhelming" by some guests, particularly concerning restaurant service or specific requests.

6. Location & Accessibility

No 131 boasts an unbeatable city-center location on The Promenade in Cheltenham, directly facing the Imperial Gardens.

Neighborhood: It's flanked by the Cheltenham Ladies' College and offers easy access to the high street, boutiques, jewellers, and gift shops, especially in the charming Montpellier quarter.
Attractions: Imperial Gardens hosts town festivals, and other attractions like Cheltenham Town Hall are nearby.
Transport: The hotel is easily accessible by car, just 10 minutes from Junction 11 of the M5. While guests won't need a car to explore Cheltenham's Georgian quarters, metered on-street parking is available in the surrounding area, with the hotel providing parking permits.

7. Value & Pricing

No 131 is positioned as a luxury or upscale inn. Room rates can vary, with typical prices starting around £115 (approximately $145 USD) per night, but can range upwards significantly depending on the room type and season. For example, a "Deluxe Double Room" might be around $238, which is higher than Cheltenham's average hotel room price of $161, but guests often consider it "exceptional value for money" for the luxury experience offered. While some perceive it as expensive, many believe it's worth the cost for the quality, design, and overall experience.

8. Common Complaints

While generally highly rated, some recurring issues or criticisms have been noted:

Noise Levels: The hotel's lively bars, particularly Crazy Eights and Gin & Juice, can be quite loud, especially from Thursday to Saturday nights when DJs are present. Guests seeking a quiet stay are advised to request a room further from the bar or consider that the hotel might not be suitable if noise is a major concern.
Service Inconsistencies: A few guests have reported "underwhelming" or "disappointing" service experiences, citing issues like long waits for orders, missing cutlery, or a lack of engagement from staff.
Room Specifics: Some guests have mentioned small tables in the restaurant or occasional defects in rooms. Others noted that rooms on higher floors might involve stairs, which could be an issue for guests with reduced mobility, suggesting it should be communicated during booking. One review mentioned a desire to open windows for fresh air, as rooms are air-conditioned.
Cashless Property: No 131 operates as a cashless property, accepting only debit and credit cards.