If I were limited to one word to describe this hotel, it would be this: Immaculate. It seemed impossible how clean this hotel was, and even after I started looking for a surface that was less than shiny and new I was hard pressed to find any. The house is kept in the finest condition and general manager Tom Aspey is to be commended for creating such a tranquil, welcoming, and pleasing space. The beautiful stone structure is located near the highest point in the Cotswolds, offering expansive views that are but a short walk away through beautiful wooded paths and sheep-filled meadows.
The Room: We had booked the trip through Small Luxury Hotels, a site that promises a complimentary upgrade when available. Upon check-in, we were advised that no upgrade was available other than at the "highest level." Nonetheless we were shown to a "Splendid Room," which it most certainly was; a bright, corner room overlooking the front of the hotel with beautiful decor, a soft, luxurious bed, and a bright white bath area lit to perfection. That said, we pondered what it would have mattered to provide us with the upper category upgrade since it was a mid-week stay for only two nights and the hotel was obviously not at capacity. Had they done that, it would have pushed the needle on my "Impressed!"-o-meter off the scale.
The Spa: By comparison to other spas I have visited (e.g., The Encore in Las Vegas), this spa was smallish but very nicely put together. The champagne-filled mani-pedi salon was inviting, as was the adjacent cafe especially for spa guests that opened to a peaceful outdoor patio area with a stairway down to the hot tub and pool below. It was perfect for a bite of lunch (and I highly recommend the avocado/salmon sandwich with watermelon and feta salad). I treated myself to a Mediterranean-something facial, which achieved my desired result of deep relaxation, though it was unlike any other facial I had experienced before. It was mostly a facial massage with a plethora of creams. I'm sure I fell asleep during the dreamy sixty-minute interlude. The spa features a sparkling lap pool, perfect temperature for a swim, and the hot tub area was clean and equally inviting.
The Food: Where to start? It was the first menu I'd read where the chef (here, Chef Jon Ingram) actually invited guests to "pop in" and visit the kitchen to further our dining experience. We did at the end, and were met with a gracious and friendly chef who quite obviously knows what he's doing. We enjoyed the Hand Dived Orkney Scallop with sweetcorn, chicken wings, and Autumn truffle; topped with a delicious Marmite balsamic reduction that melted in my mouth (and I loathe Marmite, so this is saying a lot). This was followed by the Goosnargh Duck confit with fennel and apricot, which again, was mouthwatering deliciousness. My only regret was that we didn't stay another night to enjoy another delectable meal, though our first night's light dinner of soup and salad at the Potting Shed was more than adequate after a tiring day of traveling.
The Service: As they say in England, it was "just lovely." For the most part, every need was anticipated in advance. The service was that of a manor, where I felt completely catered to and cared for as if it were my very own country home. If that was the goal of the owners and manager, then the goal was achieved. Personal delivery of tiny bottles of fresh milk for coffee each morning was a treat, as was the bottle of Vueve Cliquot awaiting in a bucket of ice upon our arrival to the room, along with a handwritten note over the (presumed) signature of the general manager.
Again, as stated at the onset, I was hard-pressed to find any room for improvement at this hotel. But lest it appear that I am a pushover, here are the few tidbits that could be lifted. Likely due to the time of the year, the garden off the main dining area was a bit sad. Most of the daisies had long since faded but were left to hang rather than having been dead-headed. Perhaps the gardener came on the day after we left, but in any event, it wasn't as trimmed up as it could have been.
There was also a small nick on the dining room table that I noticed at dinner, which would have been obscured had there been linen tablecloths (the only criticism worth mentioning -- the food was divine and, in my view, deserved better tableware than the olive-colored ridged plates on which it was presented).
Staircase carpet is a challenge in every instance, so I can't fault them for the worn(ish) look of the back staircase down from the rooms to the spa. And the lovely flowers that adored the hot tub outside turned out, upon closer inspection, to be artificial. Given the area of the country and the proliferation of beautiful flowers all around, it would seem that installing live blooming plants instead of plastic ones would have been an effort worth undertaking. Again, these are very minor criticisms of an otherwise "splendid" hotel. I look forward to returning. read more
