Hotels
Just as gastro-pubs have stolen a march on the traditional Cotswold spit and sawdust pub so the boutique hotel has arrived with its metropolitan offering of plasma screens, dinner-plate sized showerheads and funky bars. Cowley Manor typifies this type of accommodation with its cowhide window seats in the bar and papier- mache “hunting trophies”. It is very popular with trendy young families from London, attracted by its large rooms, relaxed ambience, children’s playroom (unsupervised) and the provision of children’s high tea in a designated part of the restaurant. It also has a fabulous if expensive spa, c.side, with both an indoor and outdoor pool.
There’s definitely no hint of chintz in the recently opened Cotswolds88 Hotel in Painswick. More like a hotel in London or New York, its 18 rooms are bright and funky.
Another contemporary country house hotel is Barnsley House, famous for its gardens designed by Rosemary Verey, the previous owner. These are still open to the public at certain times of the year but otherwise provide a beautiful setting for lunch for hotel guests on a summer’s day. Barnsley House also has a spa and private cinema.
In addition to the hotel the Village Pub opposite is also owned by Rupert Pendered and Tim Haigh.
Whatley Manor is set in 12 acres of beautiful gardens in north Wiltshire. It has 15 rooms and eight suites, all individually decorated in an eclectic style combining antiques and contemporary furniture. It also boasts an award winning spa and restaurant. Hotel events include wine tasting evenings and Sunday film shows in its private cinema. Those seeking a smaller hotel with more of the feel of a private house may like to consider booking into the Rectory Hotel l. Located in the village of Crudwell, the hotel combines period and contemporary furnishings. It has 12 bedrooms all overlooking the three acre walled Victorian garden and two restaurants. Dining can take place in the wood panelled dining room, light and airy conservatory or outside in the formal gardens in the summer months. Residents can play croquet, boules or table tennis or swim in the heated sunken outdoor pool. The hotel is well placed for exploring Bath, Tetbury and the ancient market town of Malmesbury with its Benedictine abbey. The hotel is just three miles from Kemble train station where the journey to London Paddington takes 75 minutes. The hotel can arrange for guests to be collected from the station.
The Lygon Arms in Broadway is arguably the best known of the established hotels. It is popular with Americans for whom it ticks all the boxes of what they expect a Cotswolds house to be. It has been welcoming guests to the Cotswolds for over 400 years. Traditional dining rooms include the Great Hall with its 17th century Minstrels’ Gallery. It has its own gardens with floodlit tennis court and a croquet lawn. Broadway is a classic honey-stoned Cotswold village with a number of antique shops and galleries.
Other beautiful country house hotels include Lower Slaughter Manor, Charingworth Manor in Chipping Campden and Lords of the Manor in Bourton-on-the-Water. The latter dates back to 1650 and offers fine antiques and individually designed rooms overlooking the lake or courtyard.
On a different level Calcot Manor near Tetbury in Gloucestershire is a farmhouse set around a courtyard of ancient barns and stables. Built in the 14th century by Cisterian monks, it is set in 220 acres of beautiful countryside. It offers informal dining at the Gumstool Inn and has a well regarded spa with a pool and gym. However the biggest selling point for the hotel is its child-friendliness. The hotel is consistently rated as one of the UK’s top hotels for families. It has a Playzone, resident nanny and family suites. There are also lots of activities for older children and a small cinema.
The Priory Inn in Tetbury combines a family friendly hotel with a gastropub serving interesting modern food and gourmet pizzas in a relaxed environment.
A welcome addition to the Cheltenham hotel scene was the opening of a Hotel du Vin. Formerly the Carlton Hotel and located in the upmarket Montpelier district, the hotel offers 49 bedrooms and suites. It has a trademark Bistro and bar with extensive al fresco dining plus a dedicated Grape and Grain Bar. In addition there are private dining rooms with a viewing window to the kitchen and a spa with five treatment rooms.
The four star Cotswold Water Park Four Pillars hotel makes the most of its great location with a lakeside bar and restaurant. In addition to 220 rooms there is a spa with an 11 metre swimming pool, 7 treatment rooms, hydro pool and multi-gym.