We’ve chosen some of the most highly rated hotels in the area: pick from vast manor houses complete with indulgent spas and Michelin-starred dining to quiet cottages located in the heart of peaceful rural communities.
Whether you want to explore enchanting old villages in distinctive yellow Cotswold stone or treat yourself to a pampering at the finest accommodation this Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty has to offer, here are some of the most refined hotels in the Cotswolds.
Set in vast grounds and complete with historic battlements and its own tower, Ellenborough Park dates back to the 15th Century. Sample a cool pint of the local brew at the Horse Box pub, which sits in the grounds, or indulge your taste buds at the restaurant, its ancient wood-panelled walls adding to the tranquil, sophisticated ambience. Finish off an active day exploring the countryside with a evening meal of juicy roasted black bream.
Many rooms in the hotel feature original wooden beams and fireplaces. Stay in the suites for the most refined experience in the hotel – they feature curtained four-poster beds and spacious bathrooms complete with stone vanities and roll-top baths.
At the hotel spa, you can recharge with something from their selection of massages or aromatherapies, or book a complete spa day for a carefully selected combination of treatments. The organic skincare rituals using Scottish seaweed leave your skin radiantly smooth.
In addition to Lucknam Park‘s 42 rooms, each individually tailored with its own charming character, you can stay in the hotel’s exclusive three-bedroom cottage for an authentic slice of luxury country living. Take a morning stroll through the 500-acre gardens surrounding the hotel, which include the Walled Garden (dating back to the 1830’s), the arboretum and the Equestrian Centre. For a true countryside experience, book a horse-riding class.
Pamper yourself with a day at the hotel spa. Its wide selection of reinvigorating treatments ranges from hot stone massage to yoga and Pilates classes. The hotel also runs a variety of leisure activities: cycle through the stunning grounds, or try your hand at the ancient art of falconry.
Treat yourself to an elegant afternoon tea in the hotel’s drawing room or library, then finish the day with an evening meal in the Michelin-starred Hywel Jones Restaurant. The more casual Brassiere has a terrace overlooking the grounds and specialises in seasonal fare, like Cornish fish fresh off the boat.
The Old Swan’s Garden Spa is the place to unwind with treatments ranging from rasul mud therapy to massage. Sip afternoon tea on the terrace, then dine at the Old Swan with its comforting log fire. All dishes are made from locally sourced ingredients, with mains including beer-marinated pork tenderloin and tender braised lamb shank.
Tucked away in the village of Minster Lovell, this hotel is located close to both Blenheim Palace and Oxford, so you can day trip to either location with ease. That said, a gentle walk through the 65-acre grounds is equally relaxing. Play a few rounds of tennis or croquet, or try your luck at fishing to fully immerse yourself in the serene surroundings.
Rooms are split between the Old Swan and the Minster Mill. There’s a mixture of modern décor with citrus highlights, as well as more traditional wood and cream rooms – some with charming original beams. The hotel also owns the idyllic Swan Cottage: a three-bedroom hideaway with a log burner in the kitchen, as well as a fire pit in the garden for family barbecues or romantic evening drinks.
With a rather impressive 30,000 bottles onsite in its award-winning cellar, the Vineyard is a wine enthusiast’s dream. The fact that it’s located in a secluded spot free from the bustle of the town, yet just off the M4, makes it ideal for a weekend escape to the calm of the country.
Rooms at the hotel feature contemporary touches which complement the traditional décor. Soft creams and warm browns create a relaxing atmosphere whether you’re staying in one of the luxury doubles or the grand suite (which has a four-poster bed).
In addition to having over 100 wines on their tasting shortlist, the hotel has a triple AA rosette restaurant, so you can match aromatic wines with dishes like juicy Black Angus beef sirloin. Stop in for buttery scones and rich clotted cream at the afternoon tea servings. Unwind at the full-service spa with a signature treatment using red grapes – a divine ‘aperitif’ before a glass of Merlot.
Deep in the quiet of the countryside, Buckland Manor and the surrounding village offer high-quality accommodation, service and dining in a picturesque setting. The manor itself is surrounded by ten acres of grounds, just waiting for you to explore them during a lazy afternoon.
Inside your room, the classic cream walls are offset with the smouldering tones of designer furnishings, coupled with elegant historical features like fireplaces and ceiling beams. You’ll be greeted with a plate of home-made biscuits and complimentary L’Occitane lotions. Each room at the Manor is both elegant and comfortable and most have garden views to take in over a morning tea or coffee.
Sit down to a sophisticated evening meal at the hotel restaurant, which uses only local and seasonal ingredients, with tantalising dishes like roast quail breast and turbot fillet. Afternoon tea includes a cake selection, scones and sandwiches (and the tempting option of adding a glass of West Sussex sparkling wine).
A pinnacle of rustic simplicity and charm, this traditional coaching inn is just the place for a stress-free sojourn from the everyday. The hotel warmly welcomes dogs, so a weekend’s walking with your pet is an easy option. After a relaxing morning, you can head to the nearby Cotswold Water Park for a day out or take a dip in Cheltenham Lido. The Wilson Art Gallery is nearby too, where you can ponder the fine art exhibitions.
Return to the hotel for lunch at the Wheatsheaf’s restaurant, which serves a varied menu throughout the week from breakfast through to supper. Take Sunday indulgence up a notch and choose from a selection of roasts including slow-cooked pork belly and sirloin of Hereford beef.
The history of the Wheatsheaf is written throughout its 14 rooms, with minimalistic, warm décor complete with fuzzy blankets, wooden headboard beds and traditional bedside lamps. All rooms are equipped with power showers and some feature standalone bathtubs.
On the corner of Magdalen Street in central Oxford, the Macdonald Randolf towers with historic elegance. Inside, the hotel is equally striking, with a traditionally designed restaurant complete with leather couches and antique paintings. Visit the world-class spa to soak in the Jacuzzi, try out the sensation shower and experience the vigorous refreshment of the ice fountain.
The Acanthus Restaurant is open for lunch or dinner, where you’ll indulge in fine dining delicacies like Chateaubriand and beef Wellington. The hotel serves an afternoon tea in the Drawing Room, styled to be the final word in classic English charm.
Let the evening drift by over a few cocktails at the Morse Bar, named for its many appearances in the TV drama of the same name, and keep an eye out – it’s a popular haunt with famous actors and politicians.