Review of Cotswold House Hotel and Spa, Chipping Campden

Cotswold House Hotel and Spa, Chipping Campden - 5 bubbles

Cotswold House Hotel and Spa is in the centre of the lovely village of Chipping Camden. The spa has a large hydrotherapy pool but no swimming pool. Treatments are interesting and well delivered. A great spa for a restful day or stay.

First impressions?

What's on offer?

Which treatments did you have?

What were the treatments like?

What else could you have?

Food facts

Was it worth it?

We loved

We didn't love

Who do you think would like it?

Why did you give the spa this rating?

Would you go again?

First impressions?

Cotswold House Hotel is a large stone building right in the middle of Chipping Camden, a village built almost entirely of mellow Cotswold stone. The hotel is stylish with a huge circular staircase in the entrance hall.

The spa is in a converted coach house at the bottom of the long and delightful gardens. In fact, walking down to the spa feels almost as relaxing as having a treatment. The gardens are divided into "rooms", so you follow the path as it meanders along, finding new and interesting mini-gardens and planting as you go. Fab -- unless it's raining!

What's on offer?

The spa is in a separate building to the hotel, with the hydrotherapy pool housed in a many-windowed extension.

The hydrotherapy pool is large with a range of water jets. You can relax in half a dozen very comfortable wicker recliners with soft white cushions, as well as more upright chairs and tables. There is a steam room, and a hammam chamber, plus seven treatment rooms and a post-treatment relaxation area.

All of the spa treatments at Cotswold House Hotel feature products from the Temple Spa range. We know from our users just how popular Temple Spa products are!

Which treatments did you have?

I had the Vespers Drift Away (90 minutes, £85), which includes a massage and a facial.

What were the treatments like?

Let's start with the treatment bed. It was one of the most unusual treatment beds I have ever used (and I have lain my body on many a treatment bed for The Good Spa Guide). As well as being white and wide, the bed had a warm water mattress, and coloured lights that change throughout the treatment. The bed was very warm, very comfortable, and just right to help me "drift away".

This unusual treatment bed is a "Nuvola Float Bed", a form of dry floatation with chromotherapy lighting. It's available as an add-on for treatments such as massages, wraps, and facials.

Usually, the Vespers Drift Away is carried out with essential oils including hops to help with relaxation, then a balm which contains lavender, menthol and dandelion. The facial that follows uses lavender, menthol and eucalyptus. It all sounds very wonderful.

Sadly, I am allergic to lavender. I always let a spa know that before I arrive as lavender is used in so many products. Sadly, that message did not get through to the Cotswold House Hotel, so my treatment was carried out with grapeseed oil. It was still a very lovely and relaxing massage, though!

What else could you have?

Cotswold House Hotel offers similar treatments to many other spas, but they present and package them with some panache. Reflexology is offered as "Footprints in the Sand". The "Silent Night" treatment uses sleep-inducing chamomile and hot-stone massage, plus you get a kit to take away and enjoy at home.

Spa days are equally quirky. You can book a "Duvet Day" to nourish your skin and your soul. Romantics will enjoy the "Just the Two of Us" day. This package includes time in the hammam, a Turkish body exfoliation, full-body massage, a facial, manicure and pedicure. The only problem is: Do you take your partner or your best friend?

Food facts

You can have drinks, small snacks and afternoon tea in the spa. For meals proper, you have to go through the garden to the hotel, which means getting dressed, of course. But getting dressed is well worth the effort. The Hicks Brasserie uses local seasonal foods served with a bit of French magic. I had asparagus with gravad lax, followed by heavenly local lamb with sweetbreads. There is a good range of wines by the glass. All the food was carefully balanced, fresh and light.

Breakfast coffee was great -- and that is often not the case in a spa.

The hotel is right on the main square in Chipping Camden, and the restaurant is open most of the day, so people drop in for coffee and drinks as well as meals, giving the restaurant a lively atmosphere. The trendy bar is quite a meeting place in the evening as well.

Was it worth it?

Yes. Although the Cotswold House Hotel and Spa is not cheap, the location is ideal for a special occasion. The hotel and spa are clean and comfortable, the food is delicious, and the Cotswolds is a lovely area to explore.

We loved

The stylish bedrooms: The hotel had been recently refurbished and decorated on our visit, so rooms were bright, well equipped, and individual.

The restful atmosphere: The Cotswold House Spa is a spa in which to unwind gently, and feel pampered.

The colour scheme: There is a Mediterranean feel to the spa, which uses white and a strong bright blue: both uplifting and relaxing.

We didn't love

Having to sign for our robe and slippers: We have never met this in a spa before! They also insist on a letter from your doctor if you are pregnant.

The rather small changing rooms: On busy days, the changing rooms could seem cramped as there are only two loos and two showers.

Who do you think would like it?

Romantics: Take your best beloved and book in to the Grevel Suite if your budget will stretch. This self-contained cottage with its own terrace has a bedroom, sitting room, and vast bathroom with a huge stone egg-shaped bath. I felt quite lonely in there on my own -- but it would be great for two. Other rooms are individually decorated, and all are luxurious.

Foodies: The hotel offers delicious local food and there are plenty of other good eating places in the area if you want variety.

Anyone who really wants to chill out: The spa is very restful. Numbers are limited, and attention to detail means you always have fresh towels and cool drinks. On the day we were there, two women were starting their spa day with a glass of champagne at 11am. "We deserve this," they said.

We all deserve this sort of treat occasionally.

Why did you give the spa this rating?

We gave Temple Spa at Cotswold House Hotel 5 bubbles. The spa offers lovely, slightly unusual treatments, in a wonderfully relaxed and calm setting. The standard of service is good. If you stay, the hotel is friendly, comfortable and does great food.

See more on how we rate the spas.