Cotswold House Hotel and Spa, Chipping Campden (From Worcester News)

Cotswold House Hotel and Spa, Chipping Campden

7:47am Friday 26th March 2010 in News By Roni Skye

Venue:

Cotswold House Hotel and Spa

Where: The Square Chipping Campden GloucestershireGL55 6AN Tel: 01386 840330

What's on offer:

Cotswold House Hotel is in the heart of Chipping Campden, a picturesque little town. The hotel has everything you need for that perfect stay and offers you the experience of its new Spa.

Cotswold House and Spa is set in the perfect location where you can also take a stroll around their gardens or take a walk along the High Street and peruse around some of its unique and quaint little shops. The staff will give you the warm welcome and service you would expect from a privately-owned hotel, with a contemporary style that makes them one of the most admired luxury hotels in the Cotswolds. There are two restaurants in which to dine, Juliana’s Restaurant which offers a fine a la carte menu and has been awarded three rosettes and four AA red stars and Hicks' Brassiere which is the hub of the hotel with its sweeping bar and chic, contemporary design, serving meals and drinks throughout the day.

Opening Times

Temple Spa :

The Spa is situated in a converted coach house in the gardens at the rear of the Hotel and has been created in association with Temple Spa. There are 7 luxury treatment rooms, infinity hydrotherapy pool and a Turkish Hammann.

How to get there:Its about 27 miles from Worcester and should take about 45 minutes.

From Worcester go along the A449 to the to M5 Junction 6 roundabout. At the roundabout, take the third exit onto Pershore Lane (A4538). At the roundabout, take the second exit onto Pershore Lane (A4538). At the roundabout, take the second exit onto Evesham Road (A44). Continue onto A44. Passing close to Pinvin. Follow and continue along A4184, you will see sign for A46 (M5 South, Chesterton A435, Oxford A44, Badsey, Broadway) at the next roundabout take the first exit and continue along A44 towards (Oxford, Wickhamford, Broadway), then turn left onto B4081, arrive in Chipping Campden, continue along the B4081 turn left into High Street and right into The Square and the Cotswold House Hotel will be in front of you.

Parking at the Hotel.

There is a short term pay and display in front of the hotel, but if you are using the Spa you will need to take your car round to the carpark at the rear of the hotel.

For hotel parking turn right into High Street leaving the hotel on your right, after a short distance, turn right at St Catherine’s Church into Hoo Lane and take the next right into Back Ends. The hotel car park entrance is about 75 metres on the right and marked with a small sign. (You will see some large green bins along the wall near to the entrance).

Prices

Spa Treatment and Packages range from £35 (The Power Breakfast Facial) to £450 (for a couple – Just the Two of Us).
Review:

OUR arrival at the Cotswold House Hotel and Spa was met with a big smile from the very polite reception staff. We were immediately handed a pair of flip-flops - much more substantial than the usual footwear handed out at spas and shoe-sized - to wear in and around the pool area. From the offset we got the impression that nothing was going to be too much trouble for the staff here.

We were immediately struck by the stylish, light, interior of this new venue. Everywhere is spotlessly clean and the changing rooms are well designed, with a luxurious feel.

Once changed into our white robes we were shown to the poolside where we were served coffee complete with warm home-made shortbread. Jugs of fresh cold water flavoured with slices of lemon or lime are available throughout the spa.

We had 40 minutes spare before our treatments so made use of the Hydrotherapy pool with its infinity edge and the Hammann steam room. The pool area is furnished with high quality loungers and large fluffy towels. It has two glass-fronted walls, giving it a feeling of airiness and light and is decorated with candles placed within the stone effect wall and large ornate fish in one corner surrounded by large polished cobbles.

I was booked in for the Glorious Mud Complex Detox. This involved the therapist using some of the finest blends of ingredients to detoxify and purify the body, and also included top to toe body-brushing which encourages lymphatic flow. My body was then smoothed with warm vitamin and mineral-rich mud and then cocooned in a cotton cozy wrap. Whilst relaxing in the body wrap I was also given a fabulous face and scalp massage. The Temple Spa product range I found to be really lovely and light and made my skin feel really young and soft. This treatment costs £60 and lasts for an hour.

After lunch I had the Aaahhh! Foot and leg energizer and a Media Vespers - both relaxing treatments, one being the top half of the body and the other being the lower half.

If you have aching limbs then the Aaahhh! Foot and Leg Energiser is for you. It begins with body brushing on the legs and feet, which helps to eliminate excess fluids in the body, followed by a Mediterranean sugar scrub and hot massage oil that left my skin tingling and revitalised. This was followed by the Media Vespers, which was a neck, shoulders and back massage using oils and hot towels which were used at the end of both to remove any excess oils and leave you feeling totally relaxed. Both of these treatments lasted for around 30 minutes. The Aaahhh! Foot and Leg Energiser was £30 and the Media Vespers £35.

Steph's first treatment was the Turkish Delight, carried out on a wonderful water bed, lit by multi-coloured lights. All treatments at the spa start with essential oils, massage and breathing exercises to ensure total relaxation.

After body brushing, the therapist used steam and exfoliating mitts along with the spa's own Keep Calm Aromatherapy Cleansing Bar to lather and exfoliate the skin. Hot towels were then used to remove the suds, before warm oil was drizzled over the body during a delicious massage.

The treatment, which lasts 45 minutes and costs £45, left you feeling very relaxed and your skin peachy soft and smooth.

After lunch she had a Fiducae - Touch and Go. This starts with a dream stone back massage, reflex zone massage and scalp massage, and finishes with a facial. In other words all the best bits! The Fiducae - Touch and Go lasts an hour and costs £65.

After each treatment we were taken to a quiet room to relax and given a refreshing home-made mini mint sorbet and a glass of water.

In between the treatments we had lunch at the Hick Brassiere where we both chose a meal from the set menu. The choice was either a three-course meal for around £20 or two courses around £15. Despite it being a weekday the restaurant was bustling with lunch diners. Our table was next to a picture window overlooking a small courtyard with its large Orb fountain.

I opted for the fresh beetroot, chicory and rocket salad for my starter followed by the lamb shank in gravy with creamed mashed potato and kale. Perfect sized portion and the lamb was cooked to perfection and very tasty.

Steph had leak and potato soup followed by smoked haddock. We both agreed our lunches were delicious and very reasonable.

Cotswold House Hotel and Spa is set in the heart of the picturesque Chipping Campden.

The incredibly obliging, and welcoming staff, luxurious interior and standards of service make this a truly great place to visit. However, it's the little extras which decorated our visit from start to finish that makes your stay extra special.

Surrounded by boutique shops, tea rooms and restaurants a trip to the spa could be extended into a wonderful day in the Cotswolds. However, we suspect that once inside, you won't want to leave the spa.

For further information regarding the Spa take a look at its website: cotswoldhouse.com