We're counting down the days to when hotels re-open (Monday 17th May, all being well), we can throw our weekend bag in the boot of the car and head off to the countryside. Here we round up five our favourite boutique hotel stays in the Cotswolds.
The Rectory Hotel, Crudwell, Malmesbury
Contemporary and relaxed, The Rectory has 18 rooms that are simply but stylishly dressed, each slightly different in design and colour palette. Each has a view over the village itself or out to the countryside beyond. There’s an al-fresco (heated) pool and honesty bar in the walled grounds, whilst bathrooms are kitted out with Bramley bath products, with the largest boasting beautiful roll top baths.
The Wild Rabbit, Kingham, Chipping Norton
A beautiful restaurant with rooms, this converted 18th century inn in Kingham is run by the Daylesford team—the Bamford day spa and organic shop are just five minutes up the road by car (half an hour on foot). Elegant rooms are decked out in calming neutrals, with natural birchwood bed frames and exposed beams. The restaurant is the main event with a seasonal, organic menu.
No 131, Cheltenham
The beautiful Georgian architecture of this classic stay houses elegant interiors that are bold but beautiful. High-ceilinged bedrooms have enormous windows and soft furnishings that are sumptuous, but not over the top. You’ll find deep colours offset with contrasting neutrals—this is fun but grown-up interior design. The restaurant and buzzing bar have plenty of atmosphere—don’t miss the beef wellington (we’re still dreaming about it). No 131’s central location makes it a great base for the city as well as day trips into the nearby Cotswolds countryside.
The Stump, Foss Cross, Cirencester
Looking for a slice of hipster in the Cotswolds countryside? Check in to The Stump for its specialist pizza menu and extensive range of craft beers. Small plates include wood-fired flat breads whilst pizzas (all of which have the option of a gluten-free base) have some unique and enticing toppings— wood-fired cauliflower & shitake mushrooms, toasted pumpkin seeds and goats cheese anyone? Bedrooms are smart but simple—deep green feature walls off-set bright, contemporary prints.
Thyme, Southrop Manor Estate, Nr Lechlade
Describing itself as a village within a village, there’s so much to do at Thyme you’ll be hard pressed to find time to venture further afield. There’s a cookery school, kitchen gardens, a 150-acre farm, meadow spa, and even a floristry class—head florist Sophie Witham leads classes that mix the foliage, flowers and herbs found in the gardens at Thyme to create beautiful, hand-tied, seasonal bouquets. Bedrooms boast sophisticated interior design that beautifully blends the traditional with the contemporary.
What to pack
For a weekend stay, our Chelsea weekend bag is the perfect holdall for a couple of nights away. If a cabin case is more your style, we'd suggest our best-selling Clifton cabin case—it comes in seven stylish shades. And if you pack light, our Chelsea overnight bag is a neat and streamlined holdall that also makes the perfect piece of hand luggage, ready for when travel returns.
Up next—read why our travel packing cubes are the best in the business.
