Dog Friendly Spa Hotel Review: Montigo Resorts Somerset at Charlton House
Tucked away on the edge of Shepton Mallet is an eclectic country house hotel, equipped with everything you need to retreat for a few days. And that’s exactly what I did – dog, partner and all.
Montigo Resorts Somerset at Charlton House is a Grade II listed estate dating back to the early 1600s, with the King of Thailand and Duke of Edinburgh said to have often graced its oak floorboards. In 1996, it was bought and refurbished by Roger and Monty Saul, the founders of Mulberry Design Company, and then sold to Montigo Resorts (KOP Limited) in 2023 who wanted to bring “a welcoming blend of Asian hospitality” to this stunning Regency period estate.
Over the course of two nights, we indulged in the full experience – eating from three different menus, melting into a full body massage, writing with the view of the garden, swimming in the pool, chilling in the hot tub, and treating Scruffy to a perfect groom.
City Girl Rating: ★★★★
Location: Charlton House, Charlton Lane, Shepton Mallet, BA4 5AE
Room Type: Superior Double Room and Junior Suite (The Lodge)
Average Price: £152 (Two guests, breakfast included)
Check-in + Check-out Times: 3pm - 11am
Closest Train Stations: Csatle Cary Station (then 15 min taxi) or Frome Station (then 15 minute taxi)
Parking: Parking is available and charges apply
Bonus points: Dogs allowed (cleaning charge applies), luxurious bath, great working space, garden views, spa, hairdryer, a beautiful living space and very friendly staff
Perfect for: A country escape and a spa day
The Location
Montigo Resorts Somerset at Charlton House is perfectly situated in Shepton Mallet, a charming town with quirky independent shops, cobbled streets and Georgian architecture set against the picturesque backdrop of the Mendip Hills. Its central location makes it an ideal base for exploring Somerset’s best-kept secrets, whether you’re after quaint villages, historic landmarks, or dog-friendly outdoor adventures.
The Room
Montigo Resorts at Charlton House has 28 unique designer bedrooms, all with a cosy country aesthetic that every book lover seeks to snuggle into. We were very fortune to try two types of rooms: the Junior Suite and a Superior Double Room.
The Junior Suite: Our Junior Suite was also referred to as The Lodge, as it was in a beautiful luxury wooden lodge overlooking the gardens and the apple orchard. It is the epitome of a cosy English lodge: the regal bed with its wooden crafted headboard, plumped bedding and throws, with a sofa at the end overlooking the gardens. The ensuite bathroom is a sanctuary in itself. With a freestanding bathtub, a separate walk-in rain shower, a heated towel rail, fluffy bathrobes and luxury toiletries, it feels more like a spa experience than a hotel bathroom.
Scruffy particularly enjoyed her walk (well, run) to breakfast in the morning across the gorgeous lawn.
Superior Double Room: The Superior Double Room that we stayed in came recommended by the wonderful manager, Imran. It was a huge room in the main house with incredible views of the gardens, and a lovely window seat for book reading (spot the window selfie above) – and, in the case of Scruffy, people/bird/dog watching.
The bathroom was a little worn out in comparison to the Junior Suite. The bath, taps, flooring and toilets were more basic, and clearly hadn’t yet benefited from the stunning renovations so much of the hotel has endured. But don’t let that put you off. The views, the bed and the space in that room are utterly gorgeous.
The Spa
In true Montigo Resorts fashion, they’ve curated an Asian Spa Experience, drawing inspiration from the natural springs of Bali and blending it with the ancient thermae of Somerset’s Roman Baths. We enjoyed full body massage treatments and thermal spa facilities, including an advanced hydrotherapy pool that travels both inside and outside, and a large hot tub in a relaxing courtyard.
The pool experience is centred around relaxation and rejuvenation, with other guests either having a lazy glide through the pool or laughing together with beers in the corner of the pool. There are cushioned seats around the pool area for you to chill with a pool as you relax into this small sanctuary of escapism.
Our hour-long full body couples massage was an extra special bonus, which left us both completely relaxed and resulted in a very peaceful, long night’s sleep. They took place at the same time in different rooms, with us both relishing in our destressed states afterwards.
Top Tip: Book your stay at Montigo Resorts Somerset by Charlton House via their website to get a complimentary spa pass included. Booking your stay with any third party sites (like Booking.com) will lead to an additional cost of £30 to use the gym and spa facilities.
The Pet Spa
We weren’t the only ones to have a spa experience… Scruffy had one too at KD Pet Spa! Created by multi award-winning pet grooming expert, Kelly Davies, this luxury grooming parlour is in a warm cabin next to the spa. Therapies for cats and dogs include deep coat conditioning experiences, a delicately scented blueberry facial, full grooms, a de-shedding Ayurveda treatment, a puppy pamper, paw-dicure and even professional teeth cleaning.
Scruffy, who usually is very anti-grooming and baths (unless it’s a mud bath), came out looking ready for crufts (see photo above) and, well, not Scruffy at all. She even let Lisa, the groomer, trim almost all of her nails – a sign of a true miracle worker. I honestly couldn’t recommend the experience enough.
The Food and Drinks
Montigo Resorts Somerset by Charlton House is home to three different eateries: Charlton House Restaurant, Bobo’s Bistro and TIIGO Bar and Grill (TIIGO wasn’t open when we went but I’ve heard great things).
Charlton House Restaurant: We had the pleasure of eating a three-course meal in their lovely restaurant on our first night and breakfast on both mornings. The breakfast menu is a classic delight of eggs, avocados, waffles, lot of toast (gluten free included) and a continental buffet. The evening menu is a fusion of Asian dishes, like the Heritage Sri Lankan Chicken Curry and English country house classics like am 8oz 28-days Aged Ribeye Steak.
The Charlton House Restaurant experience is usually hosted in their botanical conservatory. However this particular part of the hotel isn’t dog-friendly, so we sat in a lovely table in their lounge area overlooking the fountain outside the house. In fact, that became our food eating spot for the rest of the stay as it was such a peaceful place.
Despite not being in the physical restaurant, we did have the Charlton House Restaurant experience – with incredibly kind and chatty staff, fast service and attentive recommendations. As someone who’s wheat intolerant and allergic to milk, I was particularly please with their care and consideration over allergies. Almost every dish could be adjusted, giving me plenty of choice.
Winning dishes: Poached Egg and Avocado on Sourdough/Gluten Free Bread (breakfast), Pressed Braised Ox Cheek (starter), Cider-Braised Pork Belly (main), Seasonal Eton Mess (dessert)
Bobo’s Bistro: Bobo’s Bistro is a more relaxed eating option, named lovingly after the owner’s dog, Bobo. The menu was a mixture of salads, burgers, sandwiches, pastries and brunches – all of which served in generous portions. It was lovely to see how popular it was as a lunch spot for non-guests too, who were tucking in on burgers, egg dishes and fries.
We opted for the House Salads – Nourish Bowl, Mineral Rich Salad (with a huge slab of lovely goats cheese), and a Sticky Duck Bowl. All with fresh, nourishing ingredients that have been carefully curated by the chef. The staff, who were the same staff as the Charlton House Restaurant, were just as fun, chatty and passionate about Charlton House, with some brilliant stories of the years that many of them have worked there for.
Winning dishes: All of the House Salads we tried and the Classic Paprika Fries.
Accessibility
Day Trips Ideas from Montigo Resorts Somerset at Charlton House
Whilst you can easily do what we did and hibernate inside the hotel for your entire stay, there’s also a whole heap of adventures that you can have outside the resort too. On our way over to our 48 hour luxury hideaway, we visited Cheddar and Wells, and then drove the 45 minute journey to work in Bristol for a few days with the Bristol Girl team. It really is an amazingly situated resort!
Stunning image of Cheddar Gorge by Paul Underwood
Shepton Mallet Prison (5 minutes by car or a 20 minute walk): Once home to notorious inmates and steeped in eerie 400 year-old history, Shepton Mallet Prison has been transformed into a visitor attraction where you can take self-guided tours, join a guided history walk, or even brave a ghost tour after dark.
Cheddar (30 minutes by car): A quintessential Somerset village famous for its dramatic gorge and the birthplace of cheddar cheese, this is a must-visit for both nature lovers and foodies. Cheddar Gorge, one of the UK's most iconic natural landmarks, offers jaw-dropping limestone cliffs and plenty of hiking trails that welcome dogs.
Glastonbury (20 minutes by car): Just a short drive away, Glastonbury offers a mix of mythical history and natural beauty. Walk up to Glastonbury Tor for panoramic views of the Somerset Levels or explore the town’s spiritual side with a visit to the Abbey and its tranquil gardens. Many shops in Glastonbury are dog-friendly, and there’s no shortage of quirky places to stop for a coffee or a light bite.
Wells (15 minutes by car): England’s smallest city is a real gem. The magnificent Wells Cathedral, with its intricate Gothic façade, is unmissable. The Bishop’s Palace and its surrounding moat are equally impressive – and the gardens welcome dogs on leads, making it a great spot for a peaceful stroll.
Bath (40 minutes by car): If you’re after a city day, Bath offers stunning Georgian architecture, historic Roman baths, and a buzzing cultural scene. While dogs aren’t allowed inside the baths, you can enjoy scenic walks along the River Avon or through the Royal Victoria Park. Many pubs and cafés in Bath are dog-friendly, so you’ll find plenty of spots to relax with your pup.
The Mendip Hills: For outdoor enthusiasts, the Mendip Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty is practically on your doorstep. Whether you’re up for a challenging hike or a leisurely woodland walk, the Mendips offer breathtaking scenery and plenty of trails that are perfect for adventurous dogs. Don’t miss the chance to explore the dramatic Cheddar Gorge, which is just a 30-minute drive away.
Stourhead (National Trust, 30 minutes by car): This iconic 18th-century landscape garden is a stunning place to wander. While dogs are allowed on certain paths, the surrounding countryside also offers plenty of off-lead opportunities for energetic pups.
Book your stay at Montigo Resorts Somerset by Charlton House over on their website.
Please be aware that there’s a small fee for dogs (£30 at the time of writing this review).
Reviewed by Pippa Moyle
Disclaimer: I was gifted the first night of my stay plus the breakfast and three-course-meal dinner at Charlton House Restaurant in exchange for an honest review.