Skip to main content

The 17 Most Romantic Cotswolds Hotels for 2021

Enjoy a getaway in one of the UK's most beautiful areas with our round-up of romantic Cotswolds hotels. Whether you prefer the intimacy of a boutique or the luxury of a five-star hotel, these are the best country escapes for a mini-moon or honeymoon.

24 August, 2020

Famous for glorious countryside and idyllic villages, the Cotswolds is also known for the quality of its hotels. This is where you'll find some the UK's best places to stay - and they're far from the stuffy stereotype of a country hotel.

From style havens to traditional-with-a-twist boutiques and cool country pubs, you'll find some seriously book-able hotels here. Think inviting bedrooms with luxe facilities, including beds precision-engineered for a delicious night's sleep; innovative food and drink from fresh local produce; and state-of-the-art spas. Basically, the perfect bases for UK staycations!

Each of the properties in our Cotswolds hotel edit would be ideal for a standalone romantic weekend stay - especially a mini-moon. However, if you have more time to play with, book two or three, in different places, for a road or rail trip round of England's most beautiful areas.

READ MORE

1. The Wild Rabbit, Oxfordshire

Located in the picturesque village of Kingham, The Wild Rabbit is a stylish proposition. The bedrooms at this 18th-century inn have a Scandi-inflected, pared-back feel, with plenty of light and a neutral colour palette. Luxe touches abound, from Nespresso machines to four-poster beds. The food in both the restaurant and the pub has won excellent reviews - and as The Wild Rabbit is part of the Daylesford Estate, the produce used is fresh, local and organic.

2. Foxhill Manor, Worcestershire

With just five rooms and three suites, Foxhill Manor is the perfect get-away-from-it-all Cotswolds hotel. The attention to detail here is most pleasing, with a focus on excellent service and giving each guest a bespoke experience. There's plenty to keep you occupied, from country walks and punting to picking up treats in a local farm shop. What's more, their pet policy makes the hotel ideal for dog-friendly mini-moons.

3. Artist Residence, Oxfordshire

If you favour boutiques with plenty of character, you're going to love Artist Residence, the Oxfordshire outpost of this cool micro-chain. The styling is quirky and eclectic, but works brilliantly against the period features of the 16th-century building. There are just five suites - we say book the Barn Suite for an extra-special stay, as it has a private terrace and freestanding bath. Downstairs you'll find The Mason Arms, a pub that's a lovely spot for a hearty meal after all those long countryside ambles.

4. Whatley Manor, Wiltshire

Whatley Manor combines a classically luxurious country house experience with a very contemporary focus on sustainability. Starting in 2019, they've totally revamped their approach, to be kinder to the planet, with initiatives ranging from water use-reduction to energy efficiency. Put that together with breathtaking grounds, an excellent culinary reputation and a renowned spa, and you have a Cotswolds hotel that brings together heart and hospitality.

READ MORE: The 20 Most Popular Honeymoon Destinations

5. The Bradley Hotel, Gloucestershire

Located in Cheltenham, this intimate boutique hotel has bags of charm, with antiques throughout. The bedrooms range in style from Regency opulence to Art Deco-inspired serenity. While The Bradley Hotel doesn't have a restaurant (they do serve breakfast), you're within easy reach of the historic spa town's dining scene.

6. Thyme, Gloucestershire

Thyme describes itself as "a village within a village". It's certainly a unique take on the country hotel, with accommodation, spa, restaurant, cookery school and restaurants spread out in a series of bewitchingly pretty stone buildings that form a self-contained hamlet. This is an ideal spot if you're looking for fine food and plenty of relaxation.

7. The Fish Hotel, Worcestershire

There are some lovely bedrooms at The Fish Hotel, but for a break from the norm, we suggest staying in one of the treehouses. You get luxe touches such as underfloor heating, Nespresso machines and heated outdoor baths, along with the romance of sleeping amid magical woodland.

8. Cowley Manor, Gloucestershire

If you're looking for a thoroughly pampering getaway, check out Cowley Manor, which has one of the best spas in the Cotswolds. The facilities are excellent, with heated indoor and outdoor pools, sauna and steam rooms, and a perfectly curated menu of treatments. Once you're sufficiently blissed out, you'll find much to admire within the rest of the hotel, including bold, bright interiors and delicious dining.

READ MORE: The UK's Most Impressive Country House Wedding Venues

9. The Swan Inn Swinbrook, Oxfordshire

Set in the charming village of Swinbrook, the riverside Swan Inn is ideal for a cosy, country-pub stay. Accommodation is spread across a pretty cottages and converted stables, and has been elegantly designed throughout. The food here is particularly pleasing, featuring locally sourced, seasonal ingredients.

10. Abbots Grange, Worcestershire

Sometimes, it's hard for a hotel to live up to its setting, particularly if that setting is as idyllic as the Cotswolds village of Broadway. Luckily, however, Abbots Grange certainly lives up to its glorious surroundings. This 14th-century manor house is incredibly atmospheric - think vaulted ceilings, open fires and antique furnishings. All the rooms are worth a stay, but we'd particularly recommend The Abbots Chambers, which combines medieval features with contemporary indulgences.

11. The Calcot Hotel & Spa, Gloucestershire

This Cotswolds hotel has it all: a luxurious spa; excellent dining; beautiful bedrooms; and, of course, a stunning country setting. Calcot is just a few miles from the market town of Tetbury, which is worth a visit for its 16th- and 17th-century architecture, plus a host of vintage and antiques shops.

12. Dormy House, Worcestershire

Located on the Farncombe estate, along with sister hotels The Fish and Foxhill Manor, Dormy House is all about life's simple pleasures, from snuggling up in an ice-cream-soft bed to tucking into afternoon tea or swimming in the candle-lit pool. The retro-chic interiors at this this 17th-century farmhouse keep the overall feel contemporary while still utterly welcoming. For extra privacy, book Rose Cottage, a standalone property with courtyard and hot tub.

READ MORE: 6 Hot Honeymoon Trends and Where to Experience Them

13. Lucknam Park, Wiltshire

If you're looking for a grand country house experience, Lucknam Park is the dream. At the end of a tree-lined driveway, this sublime Palladian mansion has everything you need for an indulgent rural retreat. If you're keen on outdoor pursuits, there are 500 acres of parkland to explore, and an equestrian centre if you'd prefer to go on horseback. Indoor types may prefer the cookery school; everyone will love the superb spa and Hywel Jones's Michelin-starred restaurant.

14. The Rectory Hotel, Wiltshire

The Rectory Hotel is ideal for a laidback stay. Interiors are chic and serene, and in the 18 bedrooms there's an emphasis on comfort and ease - think goosedown bedding and TVs with complimentary film libraries. The restaurant serves classics with a contemporary twist, and there's a sister pub over the road. From spring to autumn, make time for a dip in the heated outdoor pool.

15. Barnsley House, Gloucestershire

Barnsley House is the kind of hotel you visit to cocoon yourself in luxury and let all your wedding stresses simply melt away. The spa is, of course, the place to start, with an outdoor hydrotherapy pool, sauna and steam room. Continue your journey to relaxation by strolling in the enchanting gardens, before devouring either hearty pub food in the hotel's inn or fresh, local dishes in The Potager restaurant.

16. No. 131, Gloucestershire

When you arrive at this Cheltenham gem, you're greeted with freshly baked goods in your room - that's our kind of welcome. There's a restaurant serving Modern European dishes made from British ingredients, and a superb cocktail bar that also serves a good brunch. Edible treats aside, No. 131 is a stylish option, with beautifully designed bedrooms across a range of categories to suit different budgets.

17. The Slaughters Manor House, Gloucestershire

The Slaughters Manor House has plenty of personality, with an enchanting 17th-century exterior revealing eclectic, contemporary interiors. The living areas are a pleasure to lounge in, with open fires and even a billiards room. The gardens are lovely, and if you're feeling particularly active, there's a tennis court and croquet lawn.

Make it a extra-stylish stay with our edit of the best his and hers suitcases for your honeymoon.