The Cotswolds is the perfect picture of the quintessential English countryside you’ve always imagined. This beautiful area is home to postcard-worthy villages where limestone houses and thatched cottages line babbling brooks. Rolling hills sweep through forests and farmland, hiding the remains of Roman ruins and the hearty interiors of medieval pubs.

Walk the long-distance Cotswold Way, and retire each night to a homey hotel or a charming bed and breakfast. Tour through famous Cotswold towns and cities like Cirencester, Oxford, and Bath, spending cozy nights in luxurious five-star retreats and ancient manor houses that have been converted into spas.

It’s no secret that the Cotswolds is dotted with many incredible hotels. So many, in fact, that you might have a hard time choosing the perfect one. So, we’ve created a list of the 12 best hotels in the Cotswolds to help you plan your perfect getaway!

• Short on time and don’t want to read the whole article? Here are our top 3 picks!
  1. Ellenborough Park (for Luxury)
  2. No.131 The Promenade (for Foodies)
  3. Lords of the Manor (for Romance)

The 10 Best Luxury Hotels in the Cotswolds, England

1. De Vere Cotswold Water Park Hotel

Boasting one of the best locations in Gloucestershire, the De Vere Cotswold Water Park Hotel overlooks 152 lakes and waterways that extend through rolling hills south of Cirencester. This is one of the top luxury hotels in the Cotswolds, and you’ll love how the best rooms offer sweeping views of the water.

This lakeside hotel has been designed using contemporary yet natural materials, creating a property that’s both modern and light in decor and character. Rooms feature soft, calming colors and plush beds, while one and two-bedroom apartments are equipped with kitchenettes and living areas.

You can walk to the Cotswold Country Park & Beach, where you can swim or paddleboard on the lake in summer. Or you can book a session at the on-site Spa6, where there’s an indoor swimming pool, sauna, and gym. 

There are three different restaurants to choose from at De Vere Cotswold Water Park Hotel, including The Brasserie, The Old Boathouse, and The Lounge & Bar.

2. The Angel at Burford

There’s no better place for a super traditional pub stay than The Angel at Burford. One of the best Cotswolds hotels, you’ll be staying in an award-winning gastro-pub in the historic town of Burford. 

A short journey west from Oxford, Burford is a great gateway into the Cotswolds. Independently owned and run for over a decade by the King family, The Angel at Burford has just three boutique rooms above the pub and restaurant. You’ll love how original Cotswold stone walls have been preserved while oaken timber supports are found throughout.

The pub has won the grand title of “Best Pub in the Cotswolds” on multiple occasions. You can enjoy a pint of real ale as you kick back among the regulars or book a table for a feast of slow-roasted pork belly, battered fish and chips, or their famous shortcrust pies. 

3. Lords of the Manor

Live the life of a country gent or landed lady at Lords of the Manor, which, in our humble opinion, is easily one of the best Cotswolds hotels. You’ll find this luxury property in Upper Slaughter, a small village near Bourton-on-the-Water where little has changed in centuries.

Lords of the Manor is located within a large country estate that’s surrounded by 8 acres of landscaped gardens, and you’ll love how the grand manor house dates back to 1649. Book fast because there are only 25 boutique rooms, and limited tables at the Atrium, where Head Chef Charles Smith has nurtured a fine dining restaurant that’s been awarded 3AA Rosettes. 

4. Cotswold House Hotel and Spa

Located in the quintessentially Cotswold town of Chipping Campden, the Cotswold House Hotel and Spa offers luxury in the heart of the countryside. 

You’ll be staying in a Grade-II listed townhouse, which dates back to the Regency era. A four-star hotel, the 28 bedrooms and suites overlook the town square or are found in the two acres of gardens beyond the hotel. Our favorite suite is the Cottage Room, which features period furnishings, wooden timbers, and limestone walls. 

The stables have been converted into a cozy spa, where you can enjoy massages, facials, and pedicures before taking a dip in the indoor plunge pool. Breakfast is served at The Fig, where you can also take afternoon tea and enjoy a dinner of guinea fowl, sea bream, or prawn linguine. 

5. Ellenborough Park

Ellenborough Park is one of the most incredible five-star hotels in the Cotswolds. This grand country manor is located on the outskirts of Cheltenham and has a storied history dating back to the 15th century. 

Surrounded by 90 acres of landscaped grounds and packed with period furnishings and historic character, enjoy afternoon tea with an Ellenborough Park Gin cocktail before indulging in a soothing session in the spa. In summer, you can enjoy drinks around the outdoor pool, but in winter, you might prefer the warmer climes of the indoor sauna and hot tub.

Rooms are without a doubt luxurious, but it’s the restaurant, set within a 15th-century dining hall, resplendent with wood paneling and antique chandeliers, that steals the show. 

6. The Double Red Duke

One of the most unique boutique hotels in the Cotswolds is the Double Red Duke. Located in Clanfield, you’ll be staying in the quaint rooms of a 16th-century pub, where there’s a roaring log fire in winter and a bustling beer garden in summer.

The 19 rooms at the Double Red Duke are brightly colored and furnished, with art-deco-inspired bathrooms that feature freestanding tubs and luxury toiletries. The pub’s chefs love cooking over hot coals and blazing fires, and their fascinating menu offers woodfired mushrooms, cod, chicken, and venison to its hungry guests.  

7. The George Inn

Another one of the most unique Cotswolds hotels is The George Inn, where you’ll be staying in a thatched pub that traces its history back to the 17th century. Located in the tiny village of Barford Saint Michael, on the northeastern edge of the Cotswolds, there are three homey rooms above the pub’s bar and another six in the surrounding courtyard.

The nine rooms are traditional in character but bright in color, and you’ll love luxury touches like the freestanding bathtub, underfloor heating (you’ll appreciate this in winter!), and 100 Acres toiletries. 

You’ll receive a lovely welcome pack on arrival, detailing all the nearby walks from The George Inn, while a Full English Breakfast is served every morning in the restaurant. 

8. The White Hart Royal

The White Hart Royal in the market town of Moreton-in-Marsh has been serving travelers since the 17th century. This old coaching inn is found on the northern side of the Cotswolds (there’s even a direct train from Moreton-in-Marsh to London), making this the perfect base to explore this Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. 

Constructed from local stone, you’ll love how The White Hart Royal has retained many of its original period features, including flagstone floors and an impressive “Inglenook” fireplace. As history has it, King Charles I stayed at The White Hart Royal in 1645, just before the Battle of Naseby in the English Civil War.

It may be that you’re put in the same room frequented by the King, although he’d hardly recognize the modern amenities that bounce off the traditional decor. The restaurant serves excellent pub food that King Charles might just recognize, including English classics like sausage and mash, steak and ale pie, and sirloin steaks. 

9. The Slaughters Manor House

The Slaughters Manor House is found on Copse Hill Road, a charming avenue in the village of Lower Slaughter that’s consistently been named the most romantic street in England. You’ll be staying on a 17th-century country estate that’s home to glorious gardens and perfectly preserved interiors.

This is one of the best Cotswold hotels, and you’ll love the antique furnishings, the roaring fireplace, and the sense of grandiose Georgian nostalgia that sweeps through this luxury property. Take afternoon tea on the terrace and enjoy a sumptuous modern dinner at 1658, the hotel’s bespoke bistro. 

10. No.131 The Promenade

Located in the large Gloucestershire town of Cheltenham, No.131 The Promenade is one of the coolest boutique hotels in the Cotswolds. With no less than two restaurants and a dedicated Gin Bar serving an astonishing number of spirits (there are 400+ gins), this is one for the foodies.

But first, check into your boutique room, which is found within the restored halls of a grand Georgian townhouse. Period features and antique furnishings, like high vaulted ceilings and Victorian windows, have been well-preserved and masterfully complemented by unique works of art from the likes of Banksy and other modern artists. 

At No.131 The Terrace, you’ll find an eclectic menu of beef cheeks and Chateaubriand, while Yoku serves up Japanese sushi and Asian fusion dishes. Finish with a gin cocktail on the terrace at Gin & Juice. 

That completes our list of the 10 best Cotswolds hotels! Did we miss any cool luxury hotels in the Cotswolds? Comment below so we can add them to the list!

Where to Stay in the Cotswolds

The Cotswolds is a vast area of beautiful countryside stretching south from Stratford-upon-Avon, in Warwickshire, to Bath, in Somerset.  To the east is the city of Oxford, while the western border is marked by historic towns like Cheltenham. 

The beauty of the Cotswolds is staying in charming country villages like Lower Slaughter (trust us, this one’s more romantic than it sounds!) and Burford or historic market towns like Chipping Campden or Moreton-in-Marsh. Wherever you stay, you’ll be surrounded by the rural beauty of the Cotswolds!

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