老天鵝酒店(Old Swan)

In nearly 10 years of international travel this was the smallest, most ill equipped room I have ever experienced. The lack of storage space in Room No. 129, in The Barn, was appalling. There was no closet, only an 18 inch wide hanger space attached to the top of a metal bar (see photo). There was almost no space around the bed, due in part to the complete lack of a place to stow luggage. So the entire time we had to hoist luggage up onto the bed to access it and then drag it back down, then climb over it when we wanted to go to one side of the room or the other. Worse, the shower was downright dangerous. The water would run cold, then suddenly go scalding hot, then back to cold. Apparently the system was one of those that provide hot water when needed. When the hot water was turned on it would make moaning sounds in the walls and then suddenly gush dangerously hot water, then go back to cold. We were traveling in a large group and others had the same dreadful experience with tiny rooms and weirdly hot walls that made the rooms steaming hot. Complaints from our trip guide went unheeded. Poor service and accommodations at luxury resort prices.

Just returned from a second visit to the Old Swan with friends as, despite very poor service last time, the food was good and the ambience pleasant. I should have gone somewhere else - the staff need serious customer service training - the cold platters we ordered took forever to come out - and I had to ask someone to clean under the table as it was absolutely disgusting with what looked like the remains of several breakfasts god knows how old. And this was a table that had been reserved for us - did no-one check? Then I discovered that the second table adjoined to us ( we were a party of 4) was broken - so in order for us to eat lunch I had to swap the tables myself with a friend as nobody was about, only to discover more grunge. It was very embarrassing as I had chosen the venue for our lunch club - and it was not what I would have expected under the Brownswood banner. Get a grip guys

The rooms are pretty basic, we spent almost £500 for two nights in a less than average room. The biscuits that came with the tea and coffee was opened and half eaten, would you expect that at almost £250 per night? didn't get to use anything in the hotel as the pool or gym is at an extra cost!! Food menu way too limited to ended up dining elsewhere. Overall, save your money and go elsewhere.

Pros. The Old Swan is in a beautiful picturesque village. The grounds are immaculately kept and together with the sister hotel Minster Mill opposite with a river running by looks idyllic. The staff at both hotels are friendly and professional. Food is good although the wait at dinner was rather protracted and it was an hour wait before the second course arrived. Cons We had booked a superior room and as others have said there was nothing resembling superior. The photographs on the website bear no resemblance at all to what we experienced. The mattress was in need of replacing and the chairs in the room looked ok but sitting on it was another story. The bathroom was miniscule. We made our dissatisfaction known to the manageress and I must say she dealt with our complaint very well and a resolution was found with which we were happy. If you are thinking of staying here then do ask about the condition of the mattresses and the condition of the room. £265 for a nights stay is a lot to pay for such a room as we were given.

The only good thing about this hotel is the location. Everything else is poor. Untrained staff, badly laid out and terrible value for money. I paid £500 for a one night stay and would have had to pay another £50 to swim in the pool. The cost is not an issue for me and I want to pay to have a nice experience. The service was terrible. We walked out of the restaurant before ordering from a very limited menu.

Very disappointing stay at Minster Mill, it's a shame because Myself and my sister stayed here in March in the Hill Top Garden Room 147 and it was very spacious and lovely, therefore I decided to rebook in June for me and my partner only we were put in Garden Room 146 which was terrible. The conservatory area was over grown with grape vines and when trying to sit in there you were immediately covered in bugs and insects. The room itself was small and in need of immediate attention, grubby bathroom and carpets. The small courtyard area leading out from the room had broken glass on the patio and smashed tiles. The telephone and fan did not work and there are no windows to open in the room only the patio doors which is not safe as people can access the room from the back which is not secured. The is a three quarter bed and not comfortable, especially when staying in summer when the room was very hot. The food is average and does not reflect the price.

From the chocolate box surroundings to the beautifully presented rooms, this was a stay to remember for all the right reasons. After navigating the narrow bridge to arrive at the old village, we turned left into the tight, gravelled entrance, passed slowly between the riverside seating and the bar/restaurant and entered heaven. This was a superb stay in the most fantastic surroundings, with lovely, attentive, helpful staff. There is a lot to do on site, including a spa, tennis, table tennis, giant chess, and croquet. However, we were there to relax, which was so easy. We walked the beautiful and peaceful grounds. We strolled through the chocolate box thatched village, which has to be seen to be believed, to the old church and wonderful ruined manor by the banks of the River Windrush. We’d chosen men Minster Mill as a base to visit Blenheim Palace, but it was so much more. From the fantastic service from Francis and her colleagues, to the lovely food in the restaurant and the Old Swan (sister hotel immediately across the road), we could not have found a better way to celebrate our 30th wedding anniversary. This place was an absolute pearl!

A lovely, quaint old place full of character and Cotswolds charm. We stayed in a superior room, which was very comfortable, had a large bed, and good hot drink selections. I had ordered a bottle of fizz for the room on arrival, as this stay was for a special occasion, and it was there as asked, a nice touch. The only slight downside to the room was the bathroom which felt a bit dated and in need of a lick of paint, not very luxurious in keeping with the rest of the place. The eating and drinking areas were nice, there was a great selection of drinks at the bar and the evening meal was great. The amount of choice for a meal is a little limited, with the menu being pies or “not pies”, but overall what I ate was delicious! Breakfast was also good, minus the slightly soggy toast. A recommended stay overall.