Hotel of the Week: The Cotswold Hotel & Spa

As a big fan of the Cotswolds, I’ve visited the gorgeous village of Chipping Camden several times. Like many of the towns and villages in this picturesque part of Gloucestershire, it’s a place with more than a feel of Lilliput about it, writes Rachel Roberts.

Small, centuries-old cottages and tearooms made from the area’s famed buttery-yellow limestone line the streets and curious tourists peer into windows.

I’d peered myself through the glass into The Cotswold Hotel & Spa, in the Square on the main street, many times. Watching the elegant clientele take afternoon tea, I’d hoped one day to treat myself to a stay here.

First time visitors can’t miss the place. The Regency-era building is a stand-out; no small feat considering the architectural competition here. We arrived in the run up to Christmas, when the hotel hollers ‘look at me’ even louder, thanks to the columns on either side of the grand front entrance being transformed into huge Nutcracker-style soldiers. Wonderfully kitsch, they may not be to everyone’s taste, but they certainly lend an extra dollop of drama and sense of fun to the experience.

We were swept up to our room by the spiral staircase. It’s quite the show stopper; very Downton-esque. The ‘country lady on vacation’ vibe continued in the bedroom – elegantly and comfortably furnished but with modern touches including a Bang & Olufsen flatscreen TV.

I’m pleased to report that the hotel passed possibly the most important test of all. The tea-making-facilities-in-your-room test. Many a visit to a swanky hotel has ended in tears before bed time when I’ve been met with a one-cup tea bag and an out-of-date custard cream situation. If I wanted that, I’d stay at home.

But not at The Cotswold Hotel & Spa. There was a good selection of teas, we were given a daily jug of fresh milk and there were delicious hand-made biscuits to nibble on. Our bathroom also had my favourite Ren products, so another big gold star.

The beds were super-comfy, but our night’s slumber was disrupted by the sauna-style temperature in the room. No matter what we tried, we couldn’t turn the heat down on our out-of-control radiator and in the end we had to resort to opening the window to its widest – not ideal with late November’s icy-cold winds blowing in.

But any grumpiness quickly disappeared the next morning, thanks to the receptionist who couldn’t have been more apologetic and helpful. Quick smart, she dispatched a member of housekeeping to fix the situation and all was well in our world again.

Although the hotel was recently under new management at the time of our visit, there certainly weren’t any teething problems with the staff. Like the lovely receptionist, they were polite, courteous and smiley. Special props have to go to the manager, too, who went out of his way to chat to all of the guests in the bar before dinner every evening.

We ate in the Cotswold Grill, choosing from a good choice of dishes on the British modern menu, although guests who stay on a Friday and Saturday can indulge in more of a fine dining experience in The Dining Room restaurant.

Tummies growling hungrily after a day of walking, exploring and yes, peering into windows (you’ll see: it’s impossible not to), I tucked into salmon served with dauphinoise potatoes and purple sprouting broccoli while my companion tried the wild mushroom risotto. Both got a thumbs-up.

And so to the (adults-only) Spa. You reach it through the walled garden that stretches out from the back of the hotel, so you may feel a tad self-conscious ambling down there in your spa gown and slippers! And again, in November, it made for a chilly experience.

But we soon warmed up in the small but perfectly formed spa, (which was recently named Spa of the Year 2013 in LateRooms Best Kept Secrets awards, don’t you know). It boasts an hammam (Turkish steam bath), a hydrotherapy pool and several treatment rooms. For those who fancy a right good pampering, there’s plenty on offer and the hot stone massage (tested in the name of research) was pretty good.

Before checking out, we took a peek at the rest of the hotel’s accommodation, housed in cutesy cottages in the garden. Two of the luxury suites have hot tubs; perfect for those guests looking for a romantic getaway.

Sadly, as it was winter, the two-acre garden wasn’t on best form and looked a little sad and forlorn. Although it wasn’t too hard for me to imagine how glorious it will look in full bloom at the height of summer, I think I must return, just to make sure…

Classic doubles from £105 per room B&B and treatments in the spa from £15.

Bespokehotels.com/Cotswoldhouse