The Best Luxury Hotels In The Cotswolds For 2023
From a sprawling country house hotel to the finest former coaching inn, here's where to stay on a five-star escape in the Cotswolds
With its honey-stone villages, undulating hills and traditional pubs (serving up truffle chips with their ale, of course), there's nowhere quite like the Cotswolds and checking in to one of the best luxury hotels in the Cotswolds is essential for a stylish mini-break.
Straddling five counties (Gloucestershire, Oxfordshire, Warwickshire, Wiltshire and Worcestershire) and covering nearly 800 square miles, it's true that the Cotswolds are no secret, yet the area retains its appeal as one of the most picturesque places for a staycation, whatever the time of year.
There's excellent hiking, afternoon tea and the finest gardens to explore, while venturing out of the 'wolds' for a day trip to Bath, Oxford or Cheltenham is ideal for longer escapes.
Whether you're here for a weekend or week-long break, you'll want to choose the right hotel for your trip. Looking for a luxurious spa retreat? You'll love Lucknam Park, home to Michelin-starred dining and more outdoor activities than you can fit into one holiday (horse riding or croquet, anyone?).
For more of an inn-style stay, try the delightfully boutique Double Red Duke, or The Lygon Arms, which offers all the history (600 years of it) and royal credentials you might require.
New to the scene for 2023 is the much-anticipated reboot of classic Cotswolds hotel Cowley Manor by the Experimental Group.
Browse the best luxury hotels in the Cotswolds for 2023.
The Bull, Charlbury
If it's the understated, irresistibly cosy kind of long weekend you're after, book yourself into The Bull. The hotel is located in the idyllic little town of Charlbury, which truly comes alive as the sun sets thanks to a cluster of surrounding pubs and of course, The Bull's own restaurant downstairs.
Spearheaded by the owners of Notting Hill's The Pelican, Phil Winser and James Gummer, all 10 dog-friendly rooms at The Bull are designed to be peak hygge, with plush, cloud-like mattresses on four-poster beds, corner sofas you can sink into and selected rooms also feature a separate bathing area with a free-standing tub and a warm fireplace that's perfect for spending languid hours reading. There's 24-hour room service too, so you can order a glass of red (or a hot chocolate) at 3AM, should you desire. Bonus: The Bull is run by a charming team that's never short on recommendations to make your stay even more fulfilling.
Meals downstairs are just as delightful, with ever-evolving menus that feature in-season produce sourced directly from local suppliers. If you're in luck, try the seaweed soda bread and fresh green salad (the vibrant hues sets the bar high for all future salads) for starters and follow with the juicy rump of steak and black cabbage. For breakfast, go in on the honeyed eggy bread with poached pears, it'll set you up for the long walks that undoubtedly comes with a weekend in the Cotswolds.
Cowley Manor Experimental
Rebranding and updating a Cotswolds classic, the Experimental Group’s fresh new Cowley Manor opened this summer. The Grade II-listed manor was preserved, while the brand’s signature style was added, along with a restaurant by star British chef Jackson Boxer and, of course, a cocktail bar (the brand’s original UK venue was the Experimental Cocktail Club in London’s Chinatown).
The gorgeous grounds have the backdrop you’d hope for from a Cotswolds manor, with a lake and Italianate gardens. Indoors, cosy living rooms, a spa and a library await.
The Manor House, Wiltshire
Set in the quaint Cotswold village of Castle Combe, with the Bybrook River meandering through its grounds and Italian gardens rising beside the main house, The Manor House is one of the best luxury hotels in Cotswolds for lovers of fine dining, drinking and resting.
The 14th century hotel is home to Michelin-starred restaurant Bybrook, which serves up seasonal dishes enhanced by expertly matched wines in a relaxed yet elegant setting. Gin tasting, afternoon tea and cosy evenings at the nearby Castle Inn are other ways to spend your time here. If you feel like getting active, the championship golf course is a great place to start.
The Lakes by Yoo, Oxfordshire
On an 850-acre estate near Lechlade in Oxfordshire, the Lakes by Yoo is formed from several self-catering residences and, naturally, lots of lakes. It’s an excellent choice if you’re in search of a spa hotel in the Cotswolds, since it hosts regular wellness retreats. Treatments on offer include facials by the leading skincare expert Dr Barbara Sturm, and there’s an entire treatment room dedicated to the signature Dawn and Dusk rituals by Kate Moss’ brand Cosmoss.
If that all sounds a little too relaxing, sign up for zip-linging, trapezing, wild swimming and cycling instead. There are two fitness classes a day, too.
Woolley Grange, Wiltshire
Woolley Grange in Wiltshire is a luxury Cotswolds hotel that’s perfect for families, since it has some wonderful facilities for children throughout its 14 acres of peaceful countryside. Younger guests are even welcome at the spa, which does (don’t panic) have some serene, adults-only spaces, too. The manor was built in 1665.
The hotel is in the southern reaches of the Cotswolds Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, near the town of Bradford-on-Avon and a short drive away from Bath.
Ellenborough Park, Gloucestershire
Gloucestershire's five-star Ellenborough Park is a delight inside and out. The 15th century manor house nestled in glorious parkland sits just a few miles outside of Cheltenham, with original stone flags and wooden beams, glorious vast open fireplaces and and luxurious guest rooms.
During your stay, you can take afternoon tea in the Great Hall, experience delectable dining in The Restaurant, or dine alfresco in the outdoor carriages in the spring and summer months. There is also an Elemis spa and an outside pool for relaxation, as well as a Boot Room to borrow wax coats and Dubarry boots when you feel like taking a long walk.
The Double Red Duke, Oxfordshire
For something supremely cosy and boutique, check in to the luxurious Double Red Duke, which has 19 rooms in its picturesque location within the village of Clanfield. A 17th century coaching inn with rooms, this is a place to soak up history and quintessential Cotswold village vibes.
The rooms offer somewhere informal yet utterly sumptuous to rest your head for the night, with rich fabrics, roll top baths and 100 Acres Apothecary products to enjoy. There's also a treatment room in the form of a shepherd's hut for you to indulge with a relaxing massage or facial. Dining is a delight here and you must check out the restaurant, centred around open-fire cooking.
The Slaughters Manor House, Gloucestershire
This stylish 17th century manor house combines contemporary interiors with country charm. Nestled in five acres of countryside in the picturesque Cotswold village of Lower Slaughter, The Slaughters Manor House is a luxurious retreat, with a quintessentially English croquet lawn, tennis court and billiards room to keep you entertained.
Whether you're into slick cocktail bars or beautifully presented British cuisine, this chic hotel is ideal for couples or families. The rooms feature wooden beams, country-chic interiors and L'Occitane products, as well as fluffy robes and slippers for you to relax.
Barnsley House, Gloucestershire
With its famous gardens created by the 'grande dame' of garden design Rosemary Verey, Barnsley House is a luxury haven for those who appreciate beautiful outside spaces. Featuring knot gardens, statues by Simon Verity, the Laburnum Walk and an ornamental fruit and vegetable garden, the hotel's grounds are among England’s most famous settings.
Guests can experience produce grown in the kitchen garden throughout the menu at restaurant The Potager, while true garden lovers can stay in The Rosemary Verey Suite, a deluxe garden suite with a private courtyard and outside table and chairs.
Thyme, Gloucestershire
This chic country estate in the Cotswolds started as a cookery school, so you can imagine how impressive it is to dine here. A foodie destination and hotel, Thyme sits in the pretty village of Southrop and is a village within a village. The culinary journeys take place in the Ox Barn and The Swan, where you can feast on dishes that tell a story of the farm and seasons.
For those who wish to take this to the next level, there are cookery lessons for you to master the art of crafting pasta or preserving seasonal fruit. The rooms, which are named after flowers and plants, are exquisite, and the Meadow Spa is an oasis of tranquillity, with Aurelia's probiotic products used in the treatments and a swimming pool outside for guests to unwind under the sun.
Lucknam Park Hotel & Spa, Wiltshire
Located within 500 acres of listed parkland, Lucknam Park Hotel & Spa is a truly special luxury hotel in the Cotswolds. The elegant country house hotel has 43 rooms and suites, as well as a cluster of cottages. The hotel's five-star credentials include its Michelin-starred Restaurant Hywel Jones and a rejuvenating spa with a 20-metre indoor pool.
Another highlight is the outstanding Equestrian Centre with a team of horses and ponies, where guests of all ages can experience the thrill of horse riding around the expansive grounds. There are also bicycle trails, tennis courts and croquet on the lawn to try. Plus, the luxury hotel welcomes dogs so you can make it a pet-friendly escape.
The Lygon Arms, Worcestershire
Situated in the idyllic Cotswold village of Broadway, The Lygon Arms has roots dating back to the 14th century. It's steeped in history, not only in its superbly restored architecture, but also in its guestbook that has been signed by Oliver Cromwell, Charles I, King Edward VI, King Edward VIII, Richard Burton and Elizabeth Taylor.
The former coaching inn's guest rooms beautifully capture its rich 600-year history. As with all iconic hotels, you'll find the luxurious amenities to match: a relaxing spa, gym, wine bar and restaurant.
Whatley Manor, Wiltshire
This luxury manor house hotel in the market town of Malmesbury offers a grown-up getaway in picturesque Wiltshire countryside. One of the best reasons to visit Whatley Manor is its state-of-the-art kitchen, where Michelin-starred chef Ricki Weston creates exquisite menus for The Dining Room and Grey’s Brasserie.
After your meal, you can take a stroll through the beautiful landscaped gardens, where sculptures, fountains and lighting enhance the outdoor space. Meanwhile, the spa Aquarias uses Sothys and Gaia products in its treatments for next-level pampering.
Roshina leads the digital travel content for Hearst UK, covering titles including Country Living, Red, Good Housekeeping and Harper's Bazaar.
When she's not eating her way around Istanbul or hiking the Dolomites' peaks, she loves nothing more than escaping the crowds of London for a country break.
Caroline Lewis has been a travel journalist for more than a decade, reviewing luxury hotels and covering destinations all over the world, but with a soft spot for Greek islands and absolutely anywhere in Italy.
Among her most memorable trips are a month spent subsisting almost solely on guacamole in Mexico, sleeping in a room made of ice in Swedish Lapland and a rather lengthy but thankfully bear-free drive across America's wild west.
She was previously deputy chief sub-editor on the print team at Harper’s Bazaar and is a long-time contributor and editor at Mr & Mrs Smith. She writes about travel for Hearst Digital titles such as Harper’s Bazaar, ELLE, Red, Esquire and more. She read English and Philosophy at Durham, before doing a master's degree in magazine journalism in her hometown of Bournemouth.
When she's not testing out the buzziest new hotels, she's at home in London, probably baking.
From Bars To Boutiques, The 7 Most Fashionable Places To Visit In Copenhagen
ELLE UK's Guide To Bodrum
The ELLE Guide To Costa Smeralda
Forget What You Think You Know About Marbella
