考利莊園酒店(Cowley Manor Experimental)

The design is utterly beautiful and simultaneously completely impractical the place is so dark you can’t read in your room. There is no plug by a mirror. The kettle has to be plugged in on the far side of the room. It’s a triumph of style over substance. The staff are great and the grounds gorgeous. The food was good at dinner and mediocre at breakfast. Could be perfect if they reviewed the lighting and electrical circuits - the staff said it’s a frequent complaint so it needs sorting. Whoever messed up the symmetry with this mirror/TV arrangement please think again!

I was excited to go back after the refurbishment, having had a great time previously. We had to wait for the girl on the spa reception to finish her chat before acknowledging us. We were given some forms and told to take a seat. The spa was filled with children who were running riots. We were told when booking the arrival drink was tea or coffee, so we ordered a coffee and was told the coffee machine was broken so could only have herbal tea. So we were not off to a good start. Then off to get changed where the girl said there would be towels and flip flops already in the locker. Only one of us had a locker with this in. So we had to interrupt the receptionists chat to get those. The facilities have not been refurbished, and the steam room smelt so bad we couldn't bear to use it. Indoor pool is lovely, but it needs a bit of music or something. Cups and mugs and towels were left throughout the whole morning. Treatments we had booked for the same time as per my confirmation. We sat waiting, two of my friends went through, and I sat there, so I asked and was told my treatment was 30 minutes later. I queried this, and she said the manager had moved it some time ago. There was an apology that I hadn't been informed but added to the already there frustration. The treatment itself was amazing, my therapist really listened to what I wanted and delivered(sorry I forgot your name, brown hair and glasses, but you really do deserve credit) in fact, all of us were blown away by the treatments. Although, you can hear absolutely everything from the treatment room. could hear the same girl from the desk, noise from the gym and every time someone opened the changing room. As this was a treat for a friend we did not make a fuss, we paid and went for lunch earlier than planned. We went through to the hotel, where the receptionist was busy looking at her mobile over helping us. We made our own way to the restaurant. I did absolutely love the decor in the main hotel and that felt as though it really transformed. Lunch was great, service was excellent. We didn't get any names, but everyone who served us was fabulous. Things were on the look up! We decided to stay in the bar and lounge area for our coffee, finally! We really eally enjoyed the atmosphere up there. Overall, I wouldn't go back to the spa, the expierience of the spa itself wasn't relaxing or luxury. I can't wait to go back for lunch.

Like location, quirky decoration and ambience. But a number of serious problems for expensive accommodation. First shown to room overlooking building site and had to make a request for change which was grudging. Second room more spacious. Steps to shower slippery and dangerous especially for older or infirm visitors. Hotel common areas spacious. But lighting after dark makes it impossible to read. When asked if lights could be turned up bar tender said manager would reprimand him if it was done! Light in room also poor for reading or writing. Breakfast excellent although long delays in delivery of hot food. Evening menu innovative but no variety of choice over three days. Slow dessert service but charge was waived without request. Spa enjoyable especially heated outdoor pool in inclement weather. Spoilt by cramped changing room and mucky shower area far to small and lacked privacy and luxury. Pool area used by outside members so filled with children for chunks of day. Guests should be prepared. Wouldn't recommend this to friends or colleagues.

'Experimental' sums it up nicely!!! Having visited nearly 20 years ago I was expecting a nice surprise...oh dear, sadly not! I sincerely hope that what has been done is and experiment because the transformation is unforgivable. The integrity of this outstanding building has been compromised with a tacky (dare I say trendy) interior scheme. Management must have been drugged before they accepted the design pitch? Visiting last the evening meant the light levels in the bar were so low is was like bing in a dimly lit cave. I could go on – but fortunately I do have a life. Good luck for the future....you'll need it!

My husband booked the Cowley Manor as a birthday treat, sadly it didn’t live up to expectations. Initially my husband enquired by telephone and was simply told to book through the website. Given it was a special occasion, he was hoping to organise a few extra details and spa treatments, but again told to do it when we arrived or online. When we arrived on the day our room wasn’t ready and were told to take a seat whilst the final bits were done. Nobody came to us to take us to our room, we had to check progress and visit reception again. When we finally accessed our room, we immediately noticed a rather unpleasant smell. The window had been left open to help disguise this and remained open for our entire stay. We were promised this would be dealt with whilst we visited the spa, but when we arrived back it was still very noticeable. Again, we contacted reception and whilst they acknowledge there was an issue no immediate offer to move room was made and we were simply told housekeeping would visit again. They did and sprayed some room spray which lasted an hour or so. Finally, at 10pm we were offered a different room, but at this point we were already in bed. The combination of synthetic room spray and horrid smell didn’t make for a good nights sleep. The spa was noisy, the staff lazed around in the back kitchen and the overall experience lacked the polish and attentive staff you’d have hoped for. When we checked out the following day, whilst it was acknowledge the unpleasant smell in our room, the issue was not reflected in our bill. Very disappointed and sadly wont be returning.

Very sick 🤒 for 2 days after eating the oysters at Cowley manor and very disappointed by the furnishings….this place needs to add some atmosphere and flowers to match the wonderful surroundings and rooms…will never eat there again…so sick 🤢

This was our first visit since the change in ownership. Really enjoyed our stay and had a lovely room and breakfast. Couldn't be tempted by the menu for lunch and dinner though - apart from the scones. Fortunately there were lovely options (The Green Dragon and Knead) nearby which we felt were more us and better value. Please sort out your menu, Cowley Manor!

We were married here in the adjoining Church two years ago with the reception at the Manor, and we have now begun to return for anniversaries. There has been a complete refurbishment and the room we were in was superbly decorated. It was a lovely touch when Emma, our brilliant wedding organiser, made a point of meeting us personally and showing us to the room. It is always the people who make the real difference, even though the the building and grounds are already amazing; as well as Emma, we were beautifully hosted in the restaurant by Tatiana and Amy (both pitch perfect), and in the bar by Nora who remembered us despite the thousands of faces who must have passed through. I’m sorry that I didn’t catch more of the names of a thoroughly excellent staff. We will be back next year - and before if we can manage it.