vividventures

Hotel Review

Overview

Cotswold House Hotel is a luxury hotel and spa in a charming Grade II listed regency townhouse in Chipping Campden, Gloucestershire featuring 28 individually styled bedrooms and suites.

Location:

The hotel is situated in the centre of the charming market town just 16 miles from Cheltenham and within two miles of the Worcestershire border.  Chipping Campden is easily accessible from all parts of the country with the motorway network close by.  For guests arriving by train the nearest station is Moreton-in-the-Marsh 8 miles away with services to London Paddington taking approximately 90 minutes.

Arrival and check-in:

On arrival at the hotel we parked briefly outside its main entrance to drop off our luggage as the hotel’s car park is located to the rear of the property behind its large garden.

From there, we wandered along a path through the beautifully maintained grounds which extend to approximately three acres and followed a sign to enter the hotel by its rear door.

This led us through to the reception area which oozed country house charm with its sumptuous decor,  stylish sitting room and large vase of freshly cut flowers.  Here, we were greeted by the lovely Trish who had a soft Scottish accent and checked us in speedily before leading us to our home for the next two nights.

The room:

We were taken back outside into the garden yet close to the main building where Trish opened the gate to the Grevel Suite with its own private patio with two sets of tables and chairs.  She explained that if we would like drinks from the bar we just needed to phone and they could be delivered to our room/patio which seemed a lovely idea as the small garden was a real sun trap.

The entrance to our suite led into its contemporary styled lounge furnished with a large grey sofa, armchair and television.  After our journey, we were ready for a drink and were spoilt for choice as our hospitality tray came stocked with a selection of teas and fresh coffee, a teapot, cafetière, chocolate cookies and shortbread.  On opening the fridge we found bottles of still and sparkling water and best of all, a jug of fresh milk for our hot drinks.

To one side of the lounge was the most beautiful bedroom ever with an exceedingly comfortable bed, exposed beams,  glitterball, mirrors and mood lighting.

The large wardrobe had illuminated lighting and the multi-purpose desk/dressing table lots of room to set up a laptop with ample USB sockets and power points to charge our devices.

Moving into the spacious bathroom I couldn’t wait to soak in its huge oval limestone bath, it was sheer indulgent luxury.

In addition to the statement bath, in the far corner there was a wet room shower complete with a powerful monsoon rainfall head, White Company toiletries, cotton waffle dressing gowns and huge Egyptian cotton towels.  I was pleased to note that the hairdryer was not hardwired, enabling me to dry my hair in the bedroom whilst the bathroom was being used.

Dining:

Dinner is served between 7.00 – 9.30 p.m. with the same menu being available in either the formal Fig Restaurant or in the more relaxed setting of the Bistro on the Square.  Both looked appealing but we decided to keep with the luxury theme and dine in the elegant Fig Restaurant with its starched white tablecloths and large paned glass windows with views out into the garden.

Service was friendly and attentive and although rather more formal than the Bistro wasn’t stuffy and we felt perfectly at ease.  After ordering drinks we sipped our glasses of wine whilst studying the menu.  To begin, I selected local Wye Valley asparagus with prosciutto ham and a duck egg as I can never resist asparagus when it’s in season.  Across the table my husband opted for grilled Cornish mackerel which he informed me was delicious and to his liking.

It was then on to mains with our choices being seared fillet of cod with puy lentils, and chorizo and free range duck with dauphinois potatoes and juniper jus for me, both plated beautifully, and flavoursome.  Of course, we couldn’t resist a dessert especially when I spotted crème brûlée on the menu.

This was baked to perfection with a thin crisp caramelised topping, tasting lovely and creamy.  Portions were of just the right size and we then returned to our suite to round off our evening with a pot of freshly brewed coffee.

On our second evening we decided to book a table at the hotel’s sister hotel The Noel Arms, a charming country inn located just across the road.  We were offered the choice of dining in either the Dovers Bar, the conservatory or the bistro as the menu was the same throughout.  The bistro looked cosy so we settled down in there at a circular table with comfortable armchairs.  The inn is renowned for its award winning curries so my husband selected their Sri Lankan black lamb curry whilst I fancied fish so opted for the pan fried hake supreme.  Both dishes exceeded expectations and across the table my dining partner was in raptures over his curry served with sauce, pickles and poppadoms.  Desserts were irresistible too and I was tempted into pistachio cake with Scottish tablet ice cream whilst my husband tucked into a dish of warm apple strudel with crème anglaise and vanilla ice cream.

Breakfast: This is served in the relaxed setting of the hotel’s Bistro where we sat at a window table for two overlooking the high street.  Guests are requested to complete a breakfast order form before bedtime for the next day’s breakfast with a preferred time.

There were lots of options to choose from and we varied our selection on both days to include full English, eggs benedict and smoked salmon with scrambled eggs.  These were all cooked to perfection and alongside our hot dishes we enjoyed fresh fruit, yoghurt, pastries, toast and marmalade.  I overheard a guest on a neighbouring table asking if they were able to amend their overnight order and this was changed without problem as all the dishes are freshly prepared.

The Facilities:

The hotel features two restaurants, a lounge bar and an elegant lounge.  With its private function rooms, entrance hall with a striking wrought iron spiral staircase and manicured gardens it’s also a sought after Cotswold wedding venue.

The large garden has neatly tended box and yew hedges which divide the space into secluded lawned and patio seating areas offering tranquil spots to relax and enjoy a pre-dinner drink.  There’s also fun to be had with giant sized garden games of Jenga and Connect Four, which of course we couldn’t resist playing.

The Spa

To the rear of the garden, housed in a former coach house lies the luxurious hotel spa.  Guests are able to book two hour time slots for use of the hydrotherapy pool and steam room with Decléor treatments also being available.  I enjoyed using the spa and then relaxing on one of the sun beds surrounding the pool with a pile of the latest country house magazines.

Other facilities include fast, reliable Wi-Fi throughout and a large car park, with dogs also being welcome in garden rooms.  Due to the age and layout of the building there isn’t a lift but five rooms on the ground floor are suitable for the less mobile.

Out and About:

Chipping Campden – the hotel is well placed in the town centre for a gentle stroll around one of the loveliest small towns in the Cotswolds with its market hall dating from 1627.  This was erected to provide shelter for traders and is still in use today under the care and ownership of the National Trust.

The honey coloured stone buildings along its terraced high street date from 14 – 17th century and it is now a conservation area to preserve the ancient town for future generations.  Other notable features of the town include a row of 17th century almshouses, St. John’s Church and Grevel House, the oldest home in the town and one of the finest examples of 14th century architecture.  Our lovely Grevel Suite takes its name from this historic house.

Broadway – just a few minutes drive from Chipping Campden lies this beautiful village.  The pretty high street is lined with horse chestnut trees which were looking at their best during our visit in mid-May.  The village contains a mix of beautiful period houses and stone cottages all in the local yellow Cotswold stone.  There’s a good selection of small shops, galleries and cafes and it’s a delightful place for a wander.

Snowshill Manor and Garden – the unconventional home of the eccentric architect and artist Charles Wade.  Take a leisurely 15 minute walk from the National Trust visitor centre along woodland paths that lead to the Manor House and its enchanting gardens.  Don’t miss the Wolf’s Cave small model village and Priest’s House.

Wade dedicated his life to collecting anything and everything after inheriting his family’s sugar estates but never actually lived in the house, just filling it with memorabilia.

He resided in a cottage across the courtyard and utilised the manor for his collection of thousands of objects ranging from a room full of wheels (old bicycles, prams etc.) to others containing such items as Samurai armour and musical instruments.

Evesham – a pretty riverside market town with historic Tudor buildings.  Take a stroll through the attractive Abbey Park which leads to the riverside from where you can wander along the banks of the River Avon and relax on a bench whilst watching the boats pass by.

The Fleece Inn, Bretforton: This historic, half timbered medieval building is nestled in the centre of the village.  It was originally built in the 15th century and remained in the ownership of the same family until 1977 when the last of the descendants bequeathed it to the National Trust.  It remains largely unchanged with its quaint small rooms and beer garden.

Hidcote – one of the best known Arts and Crafts inspired gardens in Britain with its linked garden ‘rooms’ of perfectly trimmed hedges created by the American horticulturist Major Lawrence Johnston.  Explore the maze of narrow pathways awash with colour from its herbaceous borders and discover secret, hidden areas tucked away.  Just a shame it was pouring with rain during our visit, but we still enjoyed it anyway.  Before leaving, take a look inside the ground floor of the Manor House and its adjacent glasshouses.

For more ideas of things to see and do, take a look at the Chipping Campden website which is very informative.

Overall:

The hotel is perfect for a luxurious Cotswolds break and ideally suited both for couples wishing to explore the surrounding area and for groups of friends getting away from it all for a few days on an indulgent spa break.  Our stay was absolutely faultless and we adored everything from our gorgeous suite with its oversized limestone bath to the choice of dining experiences.  The staff are all very well trained and committed to ensuring guests enjoy their stay in the most friendly and relaxed way possible.

Details: Cotswold House Hotel, The Square, Chipping Campden, Gloucestershire, GL55 6AN

We were guests of the Cotswold House Hotel and as always, all views and opinions are entirely my own.

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