Sinking into the ultra-glamorous bathtub, I pondered if this was how Cleopatra must have felt. The lavishly glamorous marble bath matched the beautiful honey-coloured stone walls that the Cotswolds is so famous for.
The grand entrance to Cotswolds House Hotel
It was another big tick in the relaxing nature of this dog-friendly romantic retreat at the heart of the Cotswolds in Chipping Campden.
My blissful state was in the
Cotswolds House Hotel & Spa - a luxury hotel on the main high street of this picturesque village. Entering between stone columns into the stunning Grade II listed Regency townhouse feels very grand. Almost like stepping into an episode of Bridgerton.
This quintessentially ye olde English part of the country is a leafy oasis of tranquillity. The Cotswolds is where the rich and famous flock on their weekends and time off, and it's no wonder that the likes of Kate Moss, Jamie Dornan and Elizabeth Hurley have lived in the Cotswolds.
Cottage room at the hotel
There are rooms within the main historic house of the hotel along with around the carefully manicured gardens. I was in the Grevel suite, where you get an outhouse for two with a discreet courtyard to yourself.
The stunning bath at Cotswolds House Hotel
It combines modern luxuries, like the bathroom and glass-fronted living area, within historic stone walls. There's modern art tastefully on the walls along with mood lighting in various colours. There are large mirror type objects around and above the huge comfortable bed. I wasn't sure if it was supposed to be art or a sexy addition for a romantic break though.
The exceptional marbled bathroom - that comes with a huge walk-in monsoon shower as well as the extravagant bath - has White Company toiletries while there are biscuits to welcome you to relax over a tea or coffee in the cosy living room.
It feels like a home from home, but much more luxurious and relaxing.
The private courtyard outside the exterior room at Cotswolds House Hotel
There are 28 ensuite rooms ranging from Cosy and Classic to Feature rooms and Suites in the grounds and cottage.
While it's pretty on sunny days, this hotel would also be ideal for a wintry break when you can cosy up by log fires.
The Spa
There's a boutique spa in the rear garden that you can find hidden among the mature gardens, down an enchanting cobbled path.
Therapists are at hand seven days a week for treatments and there's a hydrotherapy pool and steam room that is reopening after being closed due to covid restrictions, so best to check ahead about if you need to book a time slot to meet restrictions.
The main entrance to the spa at Cotswolds House Hotel
In the rooms at the front of the hotel is the brasserie-style Bistro On The Square along with the more traditional Regency surroundings of The Fig Lounge, open for lunch, dinner and afternoon tea.
If you fancy pub grub, the hotel also owns The Noel Arms directly opposite. The historic pub serves food from midday to 3pm and between 6pm and 9pm in a more casual setting.
Elegant rooms to dine in at Cotswolds House Hotel
Breakfast in the Bistro offers a wealth of options from the full English to pastries, fresh fruit and salmon and eggs that will make you feel fully revived for a day exploring.
Dinner has a wide variety of fine foods to choose from to eat in either restaurant but The Fig adds a touch of grandeur with its white table cloths and full service.
It's a classic British fine dining menu while the bar has over 70 varieties of gin. Choose from starters like twice-baked double Gloucester Soufflé to scallops, confit duck terrine or soup from £7.50 to £12.
Mains range from a lentil croquette to roasted lamb rump, pan-fried duck, fillet steak Diane or sea bass with the likes of Lyonnaise potatoes, roasties or thick-cut chips from £17.50 to £28.
It's all high-quality produce packed with flavour for a traditional meal.
The delicious Apricot Sacher Cake at Cotswolds House Hotel
Desserts are divine, so save room for offerings like chocolatey Apricot Sacher Cake with chantilly cream or the sharp tantalising taste of a Glazed Lemon Tart with ice cream and raspberry coulis. They all come beautifully presented on the plate and range from £7 to £8.50.
Attractions in the Area
Chipping Campden is lined with independent boutiques, ideal for a shopping trip along with quaint pubs for a lazy afternoon or evening hopping between them.
This is the Cotswolds village where a struggling Graham Greene got his first success and you can find a plaque honouring the author in the phone box on the main road where he took the calls to his agent about his breakthrough novel Stamboul Train.
For something more strenuous, there's nearby
Broadway Tower to walk up for a stunning view of the north Cotswolds or a stroll around the National Trust's beautiful grounds at Hidcote.
Within 90 minutes of Birmingham and two hours from London, Chipping Campden is an easy to reach retreat for a staycation break that combines the beauty of the Regency era with all the modern desires you need. So maybe you can live out that Bridgerton fantasy after all.
Find more details on Cotswold House Hotel and
book a room at its website here. Prices are low season double rooms from £150 and high season from £180 including breakfast and spa access.
