Hotel Review: The Rectory Hotel, The Cotswolds

Sep 19

Gravel crunches under our feet as we head towards a grand gloss-finished navy door which has been tastefully decorated with a contrasting orange Christmas wreath. We make our way to the bar for an early afternoon drink whilst we look over the well-maintained English garden to which the property looks out on. It is a few days past Christmas and my fiancé and I have checked in to The Rectory Hotel in The Cotswolds for a short two-night stay. A continuous curtain of light rain falls outside as we turn our attention to the crackly fire that can be heard across the room.

**Food + Drink 4/5**

I slipped on a pair of heels to make our way downstairs for a few pre-dinner cocktails in the elegant drawing room at the front of the house. The drinks menu is well sized and offers a selection of freshly made cocktails as well as champagne by the glass or an extensive wine list to choose from, all prepared at the bar at the back of the house which overlooks the garden.
We sit for dinner in a smart wood-panelled dining room which, like the rest of the house, was tastefully decorated for Christmas brightening up the dark December evening. An a la carte dinner menu is served throughout the week and consists of classic food with a contemporary edge. We moved on to a bottle of French Red and treat ourselves to the Gruyère truffle toasted slices and soft buttery scallops while we waited for the rest of the meal to arrive. I opted for a classic beetroot and goat's cheese salad followed by a chunky piece of pan-fried cod with vegetables. Dinner is well presented, seasonally fresh carefully executed.

Breakfast is served in the beautiful glasshouse on the side of the building and is included in the room rate. It features a continental spread which is well presented on a central timber table full of cheeses, fruits, pasties and an option to order hot classic English dishes off a separate menu. There is to our delight a make-your-own Bloody Mary or Mimosa station that we help ourselves to and wait for our teas to arrive. Potentially, the added choice of drinks is a Christmas special but the selection and quality of food was excellent.

On our arrival, we had missed the restaurant's lunch opening times so ordered a few pieces from the bar menu to keep us going. This menu is small, with options such as sandwiches and salads however there were no vegetarian options available. On request, they did produce cheese and pickle sandwich but for £12 was very basic so I would suggest only ordering food when the restaurant is fully operating.

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**Aesthetic + Interiors 4/5**

The early eighteenth-century property has an interesting history and was originally the rectory to All Saints’ Church and designed with a large number of bedrooms to accommodate the rector’s 14 children. Built with Cotswold limestone, the Grade II listed building has an informal yet traditional feel with original period features.
As you step past the front door a large timber reception desk greets you within the first drawing room, which features a large crackling fire followed by a wide flagstone floor hallway leading you to other areas of the house. The secondary ground floor reception room is just as composed as the first with a mix of antique and contemporary pieces such as furniture by Pinch, lighting by Jamb and a little nook in the corner for playing board games.
There are fifteen rooms upstairs, spread over two floors, and an additional three in a separate cottage on the grounds. The scheme is continuous throughout with simple and refined furnishings using cool placid colours. We were in one of the 'Small Rooms' which was painted in a soothing muted green overlooking the lawn through two huge sash windows. There is a paired back feel with no additional accessories or art in the bedrooms which I feel could have been used to add a little bit more warmth to the scheme. I would recommend going for either the medium or large room as these include large bathtubs and look as though they have more character.

There is additional seating and soft comfy sofas next to the bar with views of the garden. My favourite part of the house has to be the glass conservatory which is full of natural light, herringbone brick flooring and mid-century modern-inspired furniture.