Cowley, Cheltenham, GL53 9NL, United Kingdom
#5 of 28 hotels in Cheltenham
Guests' ChoiceBased on 158 hotel reviews
8.6Cleanliness
9.2
Comfort
9.1
Location
9.3
Facilities
9.1
Staff
8.8
Value for money
8.0
Free Wifi
5.0
Real Bookers. Real stays. Real opinions.
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End of dialog contentReviewed: May 28, 2024
Christian
United KingdomOutside pool was a little dirty but at least it was heated! Spa facilities looked in need of an upgrade/modernisation.
Staff, hotel, restaurant and the food were amazing! My wife and I had such a great stay....must make it longer next time! Oh, and quite simply the BEST salad you will ever have as a starter!!!! who knew???
Stayed in May 2024
Reviewed: May 24, 2024
Philippe
FranceThe rooms are unusually large (4400 feet) compared to other hotels and were totally renovated 2-3 years ago. Very large and very comfortable bed together with expensive linens. Very generous and high-quality breakfast. The park around the hotel is stunning and very well kept. The spa comprises a large indoor pool as well as a large outdoor pool and a fitness club.
Stayed in May 2024
Reviewed: May 24, 2024
Kavita
United KingdomThe toilet in our room did not flush well. It also had a car park view out the window (despite paying more than 300pounds per night).
The breakfast were excellent
Stayed in May 2024
Reviewed: May 22, 2024
Lucie
United KingdomIt is the most beautiful Manor House with exceptional grounds and facilities. The C-side spa was so relaxing and the gym was well equipped and clean.
Stayed in May 2024
Reviewed: May 22, 2024
Shachaf
United KingdomWe are not a big fans of France cousin but breakfast was great
The location and views , the kind and very helpful stuff, the pool and spa
Stayed in May 2024
Reviewed: May 14, 2024
Nadya
MontenegroEverything is perfect.
Stunning hotel - the design of the rooms and the main areas is exquisite, everything is thought through. The restaurant and cocktail bar are great, breakfast was very good as well. The spa is lovely and the working hours are quite long but try to book the treatments in advance as it gets busy. You can also walk around beautiful lake, river and the forest located at the hotel grounds. In short, it's a gorgeous hotel - you won't be disappointed.
Stayed in May 2024
Reviewed: May 9, 2024
Andy
United KingdomCooked breakfast could be improved nothing to write home about and service at breakfast was hit and miss. £19 for a G&T was a bit expensive
Spa is fantastic especially as we had sunshine maybe the first of 2024!! Rooms were lovely spotlessly clean and bed very comfortable
Stayed in May 2024
Reviewed: May 8, 2024
Kez
United KingdomSausages and bacon at breakfast tough. More Coca Cola than ice cubes please!
Lovely entrance and lead up to the front of the hotel. Friendly staff at reception. Room was great and everything was there that we needed. Dinner was good we enjoyed. One gripe was the 10 ice cubes in a coke. Breakfast ticked the box as well. Sausage and bacon was a bit tough. Great croissants! Grounds were lovely we had a walk around and sat and enjoyed the view overlooking by the Lake. Would come back again for sure.
Stayed in May 2024
Reviewed: May 7, 2024
Stephen
United KingdomNo complaints whatsoever.
Everything was perfect. Fantastic room. Beautiful dining room, excellent restaurant staff serving up delicious food, locally and organically sourced. Will definitely like a return soon.
Stayed in May 2024
Reviewed: May 7, 2024
Conner
United States of AmericaBeing 25-45 minutes from other Cotswold towns, it would have been nice if Cowley provided a shuttle service of some kind to drop guests off and pick them up later for at least one location. Without this, we had to taxi around to see nearby towns which got expensive quickly.
It was a dream. I was here four days for my honeymoon between time in London and the south of France. This was hands down the best portion of our trip. The property and grounds are immaculate. You literally feel like you’re walking through a fairytale. The staff was kind, professional, and eager to make our stay special. The food in the restaurant was delicious, the bar and bartenders were fantastic, and the spa was jaw-dropping. I felt it was also fairly priced, and they didn’t try to nickel-and-dime you at every corner like some hotels do. I couldn’t recommend Cowley Manor enough.
Stayed in April 2024
Reviewed: April 29, 2024
Jane
United Kingdommy bathroom though gorgeous original art deco had a strange shower - like a bathtub with a curtain around it but the main problem was it wobbled and the shower jets needed cleaning as the jets shot in all directions.
very welcoming. lovely decor. spacious rooms. the sun trap outdoor pool and spa area were gorgeous.
Stayed in April 2024
Reviewed: April 27, 2024
Clare
United KingdomAbsolutely beautiful hotel, very thoughtfully decorated with lovely little details throughout
Stayed in April 2024
Reviewed: April 22, 2024
Navin
United KingdomThe manor was gorgeous with such lovely spa amenities, the room by far exceeded our expectations, but above all the staff were all lovely - particularly George, who made our birthday celebration so special and made us feel so welcome!
Stayed in April 2024
Reviewed: April 19, 2024
Grace
United KingdomSome things didn’t work well in the room- lights failed.
Food was fantastic! Wonderful bed and was upgraded. Fabulous pool and spa.
Stayed in April 2024
Reviewed: April 15, 2024
Carolina
United KingdomThe food could have been a little better, but was still very good
Service, space, spa facilities, decor
Stayed in April 2024
Reviewed: April 13, 2024
Marji
United KingdomEverything
Stayed in April 2024
Reviewed: April 10, 2024
Alex
United KingdomNothing
Everything, it’s a beautiful building and setting.
Stayed in April 2024
Reviewed: April 2, 2024
Peter
United KingdomScreaming/crying children I hate to mark the Hotel down for this, but the business model of the Hotel is stuck between a rock and a hard place. It markets itself as a 'Hotel spa and retreat', which is exactly why we booked it. My partner and I needed a massive rest and relaxation after what has already been an intense year. Despite the many positives we do have a few negatives which is why we haven't given it a full 10/10. - Screaming/crying children in the restaurant: We were disturbed twice at dinner by young children shouting. We were also disturbed at breakfast by a new born baby crying. - Screaming/crying child at the spa pool. - Loud crying/shouting and running by toddlers coming from another bedroom in the hallway and above us. Given how the Hotel is very old, the soundproofing has clearly deteriorated over time. This meant we could hear children crying/shouting from another room on our floor (we were room 19). We were also woken up very early on the Friday morning by a very energetic toddler running up and down the room above us when we were looking forward to a lie in (e.g., 'thump, thump, thump'). Ultimately, we don't understand why parents would bring very young children/babies to what is essentially a place of relaxation. Don't the parents want a break/rest from their kids? Also, if parents want to take their babies/children to a spa, surely they should take them to a local pool and not to a spa pool where people are spending a LOT of money to get away from noise and stress. So, it's just really inconsiderate given how high-cost the Hotel is.
Reception/Hotel - Upon entry we were kindly welcomed to the manor by George who was so warm it was if we were old friends. George proceeded to give us a tour of the ground floor with a brief history of the manor including its Horlicks and Lewis Carroll connections. George is so lovely, courteous and informative, give him a pay rise! The Hotel is utterly stunning. According to a few reviews, the recent refurb doesn't do it for everyone. However, we found it tasteful, chic, and calming. Bedroom - We were lucky enough to be upgraded to the 'Swan Lake Suite' which had a terrace that overlooked the grounds and lake. In terms of comfort, the room was outstanding - huge cloud-like four poster bed and the duvet and mattress were so soft and high quality we both had an excellent sleep over the two days. There is also a reading nook, gorgeous bathroom with large bath, and luxurious toiletries. Dinner - We had a room/meal package downstairs in what is a stunning restaurant with original wooden panelling. The food was high quality and delicious with a named Chef at the helm. My partner is vegetarian and there were lots of delicious options for her to choose from. We particularly enjoyed the brioche with honey and smoked butter to start as well as the pasta dish, the chicken dish, and the chocolate mousse. The Bar/Cocktail room - We loved the warm glow and dark/soft lighting of the bar. The style was a mix of contemporary Berlin and 70s chic. Super comfy with an open fire. The Spa pool and spa facilities - The indoor pool (heated) had a lovely slate floor and rock sides. The indoor pool was in a transparent glass structure which allowed swimmers and pool goers to pause and look outside onto the lovely trees (super calming) - The outdoor pool is also heated and super fresh - There is a large sauna and steam room, both very clean and not slimy. - There are also massage rooms. These are very busy so we recommend booking in advance.
Stayed in March 2024
Reviewed: April 2, 2024
Marji
United KingdomEverything amazing from Hotel to food, staff, amazing room fantastic view .
Stayed in April 2024
Reviewed: April 1, 2024
Philippa
United KingdomInterior design was very odd, not in keeping with the house but neither was it especially beautiful or comfortable…BUT the staff were lovely and the bed very comfortable and our room was a good size with beautiful views. I think if the owners ever choose to redecorate they should go elsewhere for the aesthetic!
Beautiful property
Stayed in April 2024
Reviewed: March 20, 2024
Paul
United KingdomAll good !
Amazing staff !
Stayed in March 2024
Reviewed: March 19, 2024
Neil
United KingdomThe spa is beautiful & the facilities are excellent. The food at breakfast & dinner was very good.
Stayed in February 2024
Reviewed: March 17, 2024
Susan
United KingdomThe lighting. I understand creating an ambient atmosphere downstairs but there should be more lighting in the bedrooms & bathrooms that can be used if required. We had 3 bulbs in the bathroom and 2 of them were not working properly - flashing on and off!
We loved everything, the swimming pool is truly beautiful. Dinner was good as was breakfast.
Stayed in March 2024
Reviewed: March 17, 2024
Paul
United KingdomLocation just a little too far out from Cheltenham race course otherwise it would have been the perfect location!
excellent staff and food . Probably the nicest staff I’ve came across in any hotel.
Stayed in March 2024
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