In our Suite Staycation column, Gina Jackson – hotel expert and author of British Boutique Hotels – tours some of the best hotel suites in the UK. Next up, HYLL Hotel, Cotswolds.
Best for: A cosy Cotswolds stay, made for slowing down
When it comes to The Cotswolds, there’s no shortage of good hotels. In fact, competition in this patch of countryside is undeniably fierce, and any new contender needs something a little different to stand out from the crowd.
Give us the lowdown
In fact, hotels are increasingly pulling out all of the stops, sometimes to the point of outright peacocking: think padel courts and all-frills spas. Yet, HYLL Hotel – the latest to join the Cotswolds chorus line, and the debut concept by Northern hospitality group Madfabulous Hotels – has ambitions to carve out a distinct identity among the region’s well-heeled offerings. Instead of showstopping facilities, a stay here is centred around the tried-and-tested concept of simply switching off and slowing down. Situated within the estate formerly known as Charingworth Manor, the hotel occupies a honey-hued pile perched atop a hill, which dates back to the 17th century and offers sweeping views across the surrounding patchwork landscape. It’s an elevated position in every sense – and one that makes the name HYLL feel entirely apt. I arrived in the right headspace to switch off – thanks in part to the unhurried ease of the journey itself, a smooth two-hour glide from London with Wheely that made slipping into the weekend feel effortless.
What’s in the suite?
Bedrooms have been designed by Manchester-based studio YOUTH and mirror the moody aesthetic found throughout the rest of the hotel. Thanks to the manor’s original configuration, no two rooms are the same, each shaped by the quirks and character of the building itself. Rooms are on the darker side, featuring low-slung beams and small windows, and are outfitted in earthy tones of rust, grey, and deep, almost-black purples. Exposed timber beams and soft linen bedspreads create a cocooning feel. All of the little touches have been carefully considered: Dyson hairdryers with a full range of attachments, steamers neatly stored in the wardrobes, a snack drawer packed with artisan treats, and homemade shortbread on arrival. In the bathrooms, surfaces of black stone and polished marble set the tone, while generous showers are stocked with body lotions by Verden.
How’s the crowd?
You’ll find a real mix of ages here: couples and multi-generational families are drawn in pursuit of some proper peace and quiet. Locals from the surrounding villages flock to the hotel as a meeting place, while Londoners and Mancunians pop down for the weekend, keen to swap city noise for slower rhythms.
Where can we eat and drink?
The hotel’s restaurant operates as an all-day affair, its moody interiors a refreshing departure from your standard Cotswolds manor. From the outside, you’d never assume this historic house would conceal such a slick, Bond-esque space within: subtly arranged into a bar, lounge, and dining area, all of the restaurant’s various sections flow effortlessly into one another. Banquettes and armchairs draped in the same grey linen are paired with dark-hued furniture and dramatic spotlighting, while menus are comforting and as seasonal as possible, highlighting the best of local bounty.
Mop up smoky babaganoush with homemade flatbreads, before moving onto kedgeree arancini and spathcock poussin swimming in lemony, caramelised date jus. Alternatively, you can sprawl across the hotel’s three cosy lounge spaces for drinks and nibbles, or drift out into the gardens during the warmer months. Return the next morning for Turkish eggs and pancakes; breakfast service then rolls immediately into lunch and afternoon tea.
Are there any stand-out touches worth mentioning?
The hotel has partnered with local, independent Cotswolds bookshop Borzoi Books, who supply a monthly ‘menu’ of titles that guests are encouraged to flick through. You’ll find piles of books stacked throughout the hotel’s trio of communal living spaces, encouraging unhurried afternoons spent reading by the fire. The whole guest experience is built around ease: expect flexible check-in and check-out times, a 24/7 WhatsApp hotline to the team, and the option to request everything from breakfast through to dinner in bed.
What’s on the to-do list?
This is a place purposefully made for slowing down and switching off. There’s no spa or suite of facilities to get stuck into, but instead you’ll find thoughtful booklets in the bedrooms, filled with recommendations for how to spend your time, depending on whether you’re in a ‘do something’ or ‘do nothing’ mood. If you’re feeling the former, head out on trail walks across the estate or pootle around the chocolate-box villages on your doorstep. Feeling the opposite? Hunker down in one of the living rooms with a good book; they’re so cosy, you could easily snooze the afternoon away.
What should we know before we go?
The hotel is well placed close to the quaint, postcard-perfect Moreton-in-Marsh. It’s just a 15-minute taxi ride from the village station if you’re arriving by train, though travelling by car will give you greater flexibility to explore the surrounding scenery at your own pace. Alternatively, travel there in style by booking a Wheely chauffeur, who can whiz you to HYLL directly from London for a seamless, door-to-door journey – and even help you hop around the surrounding villages as part of your trip.
What should we pack?
This is prime Cotswolds stomping ground: Barbour jackets won’t go amiss for long romps across the fields and muddy-footed walks. But wear whatever you like; cashmere two-sets for lounging around all day are just as appropriate, and you’ll fit in just fine either way.
All image credits: HYLL Hotel by Murray Orr
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