This Autumn, more than ever we’ve all needed a break. A break away from the noisy news, the drudgery of our own four walls and to be ever so slightly spoilt again. Not that I’m complaining, we’ve been very lucky this year and have discovered just how resilient we all are BUT as the October half term arrived my daughter and I were very much in need of a change of scenery. A two night stay at the De Vere Cotswolds Water Park Hotel was just what we needed to set us up for the wintry months ahead.
The Cotswolds is one of my favourite places in the whole world. I love the English charm of the villages, the vast expanses of countryside and the feeling that time slows down here. It holds many happy memories as we got married here in a beautiful barn in Bibury – perhaps that’s were my obsession with barn living come in!
I love De Vere hotels, they’re always thoughtfully designed and seem to manage that balance between luxury and snobbery s well. The De Vere Cotswolds Water Park didn’t disappoint.
Hotel Design
The design of the hotel is beautiful – modern yet tasteful. The reception area is bright and crisp with plenty of friendly staff to help you check in. The bar is all moody blues and golds with plenty of cosy snug areas to whisper with a loved one and larger tables to meet with groups of friends – those were the days! The rooms are modern, with crisp white bedding and all the amenities you’d expect from a luxury hotel.
The only area slightly less than perfect was the restaurant, it did feel a bit like a works canteen but that is perhaps down to the many necessary changes required to keep guests safe this year.
Eating at the De Vere Cotswolds Water Park
Two coarse Dinner for two nights was included in our package to be taken in the Brasserie Restaurant. I imagine this place is gorgeous in the Summer with its huge windows looking across the water. The food was all good quality, the portions plentiful and the staff were super attentive. On the first night I opted for a curry and Piper had the pasta.
On our second night I had a beef chilli which was delicious and again Piper had the pasta – you can tell she enjoyed it the first time! We also had a dessert and cheese board to finish.
Breakfast is currently a little different at the De Vere Water Park. A continental breakfast bag will be dropped outside your room at 7 am. This includes a fruit pot, orange juice, pastry and yoghurt. You’ll have to make your own coffee or tea in the room. If you fancy something hot then you can head down to the Brasserie Restaurant for a sausage or bacon bap. These were yummy and we were also able to get a proper coffee from a machine before taking it back up to our room to enjoy. I loved the wide selection of herbal teas.
We popped into the lounge bar each evening for a pre dinner drink and also enjoyed a big bowl of nachos here one afternoon.If you’re looking for different surroundings for dinner, you could wander across the carpark to the delightful Boathouse bar and restaurant.
If you fancy a snack out of hours then the pantry by reception is a great place to fix those hunger cravings.
The Spa at the Cotswolds Water Park Hotel
One of the main reasons to visit a luxury hotel is of course the spa. Visiting with Piper, unfortunately I couldn’t try any of the treatments although I did spend a good amount of time salivating over the menu, planning when I could return. We did however manage to squeeze in a trip to the pool. Swimming is possibly the thing Piper has missed most this year and her excitement at finally getting back in the water almost made up for having to miss a massage.
Booking a swim was a bit of a nightmare to be honest, the times were very restricted due to limited numbers. We could only book in once during our stay which was disappointing. The pool area is lovely, not huge (11 metres) but large enough to get a few laps in. There is a saunas and jacuzzi which I’m sure will be back open when is safe. The hotel also has a full gym if you fancy getting a work out in.
Other Things to do
Being in such a beautiful area, you probably won’t want to spend all your time at the hotel but there is plenty to entertain you should you wish. Our favourite thing to do at the Cotswolds Water Park hotel was to explore the lake. The hotel is sat right on the edge of a couple of lakes, perfect for a brisk autumnal walk. We headed out straight out after breakfast and spent around half an hour walking to the far end of the lake and back. This, being autumn in the UK it was very muddy so I highly recommend some wellies.
If it’s wet there’s plenty to keep you entertained indoors. The hotel has a small games room with table football and ping pong. Make sure you use the sanitiser stations and come back later if it’s too busy.
There are also several TV areas dotted around the hotel (mainly showing news channels) and a few places to curl up with a good book.
Location of the Cotswolds Water Park Hotel
The De Vere Cotswolds Water Park Hotel is located in the South Cotswolds about 15 minutes drive from Cirencester. I absolutely love this part of the Midlands. It feels like you’re completely surrounded by nature but also close to the delightful towns and villages the Cotswolds is so well known for. During our short break we enjoyed a beautiful walk at the Cotswolds Water Park and beach and got our arts fix at the Cotswolds Sculpture Park. Both just ten minutes drive away from the hotel. For more ideas check out this post on things to do in Autumn in the Cotswolds.
New Safety Measures
As with all good hotels right now, the De Vere Cotswolds Water Park has introduced plenty of new safety measures to protect guests and staff. We felt safe at all times and the hotel is big enough to make distancing easy. Face coverings must be worn in all public areas of the hotel unless you are seated to eat or drink. I love that food and drink can be ordered from the QR code on each table in the bar which made the whole process safer and smoother.
The hotel is operating completely cashless and reception staff will greet you from behind screens when you check in or out. If your only visiting for a couple of days like we were they will not come in to clean your room but encourage you to phone down to reception show you need any more tea, coffee or toiletries.Your room will be sealed when you first enter after a full clean between guests. I thought the sanitisation pack ready for us in the room on arrival was a lovely touch.
Make sure to pin this Cotswolds Water Park Hotel Reviews to plan your next visit to the Cotswolds, UK.
