A charming, Grade II-listed Regency townhouse, Cotswold House Hotel & Spa lies in the heart of Chipping Campden. The hotel, which has just 28 rooms, offers multiple dining and drinking options and a spa.
It also offers breakfast, lunch, dinner and afternoon tea dining, offering a variety of different foods. The spa, which can be found at the rear of the property, boasts a hydrotherapy pool, steam rooms, a relaxation room, and treatment rooms.
Located on Chipping Campden’s high street in the heart of the Cotswolds, the hotel is just a stone’s throw from independent boutiques, cafés, and local pubs. It’s also situated just 30 minutes from Shakespeare’s hometown of Stratford-upon-Avon and has great links to other nearby Cotswold towns and villages.
The hotel offers a variety of different rooms, catering for all price ranges. Choose between a small double room, a classic double room, a standard double or twin room, a superior double room or a double room with a bath.
More luxurious offerings include a cottage double room, a junior suite with a garden view, a suite, a suite with a hot tub, or a hot tub double room. Classic double rooms include televisions, a minibar, a private bathroom, and air conditioning, while a double room with a hot tub features a garden view, hot tub, soundproofing, and a patio.
I stayed in a double room with a bath. It had homely features, albeit slightly outdated, and the colours did not match the rest of the hotel’s decor. It featured a comfortable seating area and a desk and boasted a balcony with a table and chairs, which had a lovely view overlooking the manicured grounds.
It also came with a mini fridge, which was handy for storing afternoon tea leftovers, and a large bathroom with a huge bath and walk-in shower. Although the bathroom was more modern, there could have been a little more attention to detail, but overall, it was a comfortable bathroom with toiletries, shower caps, and vanity kits.
The building is three old houses interwoven, and this subsequently means there are numerous steps around the building, including down into the bathroom, which wouldn’t have been suitable for someone with mobility issues, but this is pointed out on the hotel’s website. If you do have mobility issues, there are some ground-floor rooms with a few steps, but the majority are on the first and second floors.
Overall, the room was pleasant and the bed was super comfortable, but this particular first-floor room could do with some modernising. Prices of the rooms differ depending on the time of year and which room you pick, but you can compare prices on Booking.com or the hotel directly.
The hotel is home to the Campden Cocktail Bar and the Hidcote Brasserie & Grill as well as offering afternoon tea in their restaurant on Saturdays and Sundays.
The cocktail bar, situated just next to the reception area, was relaxing and modern, with a great selection of drinks to choose from. The Pina Colada cocktail was one of the tastiest I’ve had, and I was impressed that they also had dinner dining options, but in a more relaxed setting.
Dinner
Hidcote Brasserie & Grill is located in the hotel’s beautiful high-ceilinged Regency room, which was painted in a gorgeous duck-egg blue and had comfortable seating throughout.
Guests can pick between an array of starters, including ham hock terrine, soup of the day, steak tartare and gin-cured salmon, but I went for the Cotswold cheese twice-baked cheese soufflé along with some freshly baked bread.
The soufflé was absolutely delicious, and the warm bread went down a treat along with the Marmite butter which accompanied it, as well as the olive oil and balsamic. Main options include a variety of steaks, multiple fish dishes such as Cornish lemon sole, and vegetation options too.
The menu was impressive, albeit a little on the pricier side, with a fillet steak, sauce and potatoes costing £50.50. However, the steak was cooked to absolute perfection, with the green peppercorn sauce a great addition to it. Pudding options were great, too, including the most delicious chocolate fondant I have had, baked to perfection with a gooey centre.
The service was slightly slow, with only one to two staff members working, but this meant we were not rushed and could take our time. It would also be great to revisit the restaurant when they have more food items on the menu available, as there were a few which weren’t available at the time of dining.
Breakfast
Breakfast is held in the same dining area, with a small continental area offering delicious mini pastries, yoghurt, fruit and cereal. There was also a fresh juice section, which was well-stocked, and the staff were very attentive.
Toast can be brought to your table if you wish, and there is also a hot menu which can be freshly ordered.
We ordered the vegetarian breakfast, which went down a treat, and crispy bacon pancakes, which were pleasant, but I often prefer streaky bacon with pancakes as it pairs better.
Afternoon tea
Guests for afternoon tea can expect to enjoy loose-leaf teas, sandwiches and seasonal menus overlooking the glorious streets of Chipping Campden. The tea menu was extensive, with offerings including English breakfast, Earl Grey, all-day decaf, Assam tea, green tea, and fruity choices.
I was expecting a menu to see what was on offer, but due to being seasonal, the offerings change regularly, and the cakes and sandwiches were a surprise.
On offer when I visited were two warm scones as well as a mini Victoria sponge, a mini cheesecake, a mini banoffee tart, and a chocolate pistachio mini cake. The scones were delicious and went down well with the clotted cream and jam, and the mini banoffee tart was also sublime.
Available for £34 per person, you can also spruce up your afternoon tea with a glass of bubbly if you fancy. If you aren’t after the full afternoon tea, cream tea, which consists of freshly baked scones, clotted cream, and strawberry jam, is also available, perfect for a sweet treat.
Location
The location of the hotel couldn’t be more perfect, situated right on the glorious high street in Chipping Camden. In this village lies a variety of different independent stores and cafés.
It works as a great base for visiting nearby areas such as Broadway, Moreton-in-Marsh or even more popular locations such as Bourton-on-the-Water.
Due to the hotel’s popular location, car parking is limited, but there are plenty of pay and display spaces right outside the hotel’s reception.
It’s also one of the only hotels in the area to offer a spa. The spa is located at the rear of the property, and just a small walk through the gardens is required to get there. Although small, it has everything you need, including a hydrotherapy pool, steam rooms, a relaxation room, and treatment rooms, but be sure to book your timeslot with reception as some guests were disappointed to find out their preferred time was full.
The hotel also offers a variety of different spa packages and stays, including one where you can receive a stay, a spa treatment, dinner, and breakfast. I had a 30-minute back massage, and it was the best massage I’ve ever had. The therapist really listened to my concerns and targeted these areas.
It was a great stay at Cotswold House Hotel & Spa, with welcoming staff, plenty of eating options and the bonus addition of a cocktail bar.
It’s easy to see why this hotel gets busy throughout the year, and it never felt overcrowded due to there only being 28 rooms.
Overall, the reception, brasserie, and cocktail bar were pleasant, but some of the rooms could have had a little updating.
If you’re planning a trip to the Cotswolds or Chipping Camden, I would recommend checking out this hotel for a pleasant and comfortable day, whether for the night or longer.
Prices vary based on the season, day of the week and room type. To book a stay at Cotswold House Hotel & Spa, click here.
