Cowley manor or Barnsley house hotel, which would you choose?

[DarrellRivers]

Having found the other weekends away thread courtesy of WWW, and by using google, have found 2 suitable luxury/funky hotels within the correct distance.
Any personal recommendations in respect to either of these , and any recommendations re rooms/suites to go for or avoid.
Thanks in advance

I think I'd go for Barnsley House on the basis that:

a) I read a good review recentl
b) My sister recently went to Cowley and felt it wasn't all that, service a bit slack, not that amazing given price etc.

Nice dilemma to have! Or have you thought about Babington? What are your criteria?

Hmm, mixed reviews of Barnsley House here, tripadvisor

Hmm, Cowley Manor has better reviews there. What about Cotswold House?

Cotswold House reviews

Nice website anyway

I would love to go to Babington, but just a bit too far away, want to treat DH to a night away for anniversary child free, i think luxury but nothing chintzy , smart but relaxed, fashionable, stylish, make us feel re-charged but also happening.
Interesting re cowley and the slack service, as quite honestly you are paying a lot for these rooms and you would expect good service.
Ahh , things aren't what they used to be.
Aldwych one sounded fab by the way, i was tempted by doing the london thing, but then thought we would be tempted to do so many other things, catch up with friends, shop for furniture etc etc that at least if it is rural we will relax and spend time with each other

I DO like a website that shows you the rooms, it's exactly what you want imo. I hate the thought of getting there and hating the room.

I have heard nothing but good things about The Grove (but you can't see their room on the site which is annoying) but in wrong direction. What about he Forbury? I'm dying to go there. Is there any way you can get away for 2 nights? It makes SUCH a difference imo, waking up and knowing you've got all day and another night ahead of you.

fantastic reviews of The Forbury, sounds like they're getting it right.

AND they've got a two for the price of one offer in Feb! Laterooms has just started allowing users to post reviews btw so worth a look there I think.

Cotswold House sounds ideal in terms of
Location
You can choose the room
Rural
Boutique, not chintz
Good reviews

When are you going?

And you can see the room on the website before you go

It does feel odd going to Reading though,plus I had an ex-bf who lived there
Quite tempted by cotswold house hotel as chippin camden prob nice to have a meander around.
2 nights, well my mum will be looking after DS and DD and I think 2 nights will just be that bit too much, i would prefer 2 , much more relaxing

Oh not for a bit, end of April, I like takning my time and doing loads of research before doing anything

Ikwym about Reading. I am going to be near Cotswold House soon and was wondering about going for a nose around/cup of tea. If I do I'll come and report back on how it looked.

Oh do go for a nose,in the name of research, because I think their website is very well designed, particularly in view of the fact you can see all the rooms, whereas the cowley manor and barnsley house hotel websites weren't that great.
Although Cowley does look beautifully decorated

OK, I will go there, have wanted to for ages anyway and will come and report back. Have added this thread to my watch list.

Hi, I have stayed at Cowley and it was lovely. Room was quite small but very stylish and the food and spa were great. Have also been to babington and it is by far the best hotel I have stayed in in the UK. Service/surroundings/decor etc were all amazing and I would say it is more than worth the travel time to get there. Before I went I thought it was a rip off but now I would happily pay for a weekend there for a special occassion (didn't pay for either of these trips btw - it is just a very nice perk of my job!!)

Hi toomanyshoes, yes I am still really tempted by Babington but the journey will be 2.5-3 hours V 1.5 hours for cirencester.
Out of interest what type of room did you stay in? and did you get value for money for the level of room or if you went again would you choose a different size room.
Thanks

Hi, I live in the cotswolds and know of these places. Bransley House hit and miss at the mo on food and service. Cowley great but likely to have a lot of kids at weekends. Calcot Manor - great spa and grounds but again kids all over the place at weekends (and main restaurant v.disappointing on last visit - stick to the brasserie).
How about Lord of the Manor? Not been but have heard good things.
Hope you get sorted soon!

DR, sorry, we drove round and round Chipping Camden today with the satnav droning 'take a SHARP left. Turn around when possible' blah blah and with dh refusing to ask for directions and in the end we gave up. Which is a shame because I was dying to get a look at Cotswold House. If you go, make sure you know how to find it or you ignore oyur sat nav!

Thanks anyway WWW.
I've decided to go for Cowley Manor as have had a few good review from friends, and there was an article in Easy living this month with some more pictures which look fab.
The big cottage co sounds fab.

Good choice. I went to Cowley manor when I was 7 months pregnant and it was fantatsic. Rooms were glorious, small but ours was on 2 levels, the bathroom taking up the whole of the 2nd floor! Food was just what a pregnant girl wanted, comforting and delicious. Spa was just superb and the pool is beautiful.

Any room for a little one to squeeze into your suitcase

Marvellous DR, do come back and give us a full review won't you?