There are only a few places in the world which charm me quite like the Cotswolds, especially in the autumn. Staying in the Cotswolds is quintessentially English, from the honey-coloured cottages to the everlasting rolling hills. It’s the perfect place to escape the busyness of the world and to forget about the stresses of everyday life. Enter the Hyll Hotel in Chipping Camden, a place I was lucky enough to review. Here, relaxing isn’t just expected; it’s a requirement.
If you’re in need of a boutique escape with roaring fires, beautiful interiors and all the board games and books you could ever want, then read on. This is for you.
Hyll Hotel Review | Staying in the Cotswolds
The Hyll Hotel is in the middle of Charingworth, just outside of Chipping Camden. The building used to be known as Charingworth Manor, before being sold recently to two budding entrepreneurs. The estate is vast and is as private as you can get within the Cotswolds. As the name implies, Hyll Hotel is… On a hill! It overlooks a vast valley so that you feel well and truly enveloped into the Cotswold life and mantra.
This is not the only time though that such a feat has been done. Hyll Hotel joins the ranks of other successful Cotswold luxury retreats, and so faced a rather high bar. Before we arrived, we obviously looked through all of the website to see what we could deduce. In short, there were similar elements to similar hotels, but there was an emphasis on relaxing and unwinding. We were both eager to test this theory out, after all it is arguably the busiest time of the year.
Arrival at the Hyll Hotel
The turning to the Hyll Hotel is obvious and grand. We felt that we were entering a top establishment immediately and then took the long road up to the property. Like all manors, the building is purposefully obscured by a hill at the start of the ascent, before it slowly rises above it to awe you. This felt more like a National Trust property and less of a hotel when we drove up which, incidentally, only added to the luxurious element.
We parked in their large – albeit very country – car park and made our way inside. Even though it was a gloomy, wet, November day, the hotel looked the part. Around it were lush gardens and lavish seating; I could imagine how perfect this would be in the summer months. The silence was also deafening. Being on top of the valley in the middle of nowhere is the ultimate retreat location. It adds to the requirement that you shut yourself off from the world; you are indeed physically.
The reception felt less of a reception and more like a friendly chat. There is no formal desk, instead, the hotel uses the old boot room where the concierge sits. From aesthetic point, this works. You forget you are in a hotel and feel that you are just seeing some old friends who just so happen to live in a Manor. Once we had checked in we were escorted to one of the Manor Rooms, one of just 8.
The Rooms
As I’ve said, there are just 8 Manor House rooms in the building. There are also 18 rooms in the Courtyard. Our room was number 7, a Classic King Room. What I loved immediately was the retention of older features. The floor was slightly sloped and you could feel the original floorboards as you moved along this large room. Where new additions needed to be made, the hotel ensured that they stayed in line with the country-living vibe. Cast iron radiators, Victorian-style sinks and free-standing bath, along with tasteful added details to bring it all together.
Our room was incredibly spacious. Along with a large bed, there was also a cosy seating area (perfect for reading and playing board games), and one of the largest, brightest bathrooms I’ve seen. What I loved about the bathroom in particular was the quality of the finish; the floor was immaculately tiled using the smallest floor tiles you could imagine, and the grand rainfall shower was hidden out of the way. All in all, the room screamed luxurious escape.
As the hotel was new, there was one small teething problem. There were issues with the blinds in our room, but these were swiftly solved by a friendly member of staff. Despite this small hiccup, our room felt like a home away from home; the perfect place to relax in. Even if you aren’t sure how to relax, have no fear – each room has a small book with relaxing ideas!
Hyll’s Communal Spaces
The Hyll Hotel believes that the entire property is there to relax in. And, to be honest, I loved this. Here are a few spaces that you can find, but there are more hidden places dotted about.
The Lounge
If you are after a cosy sofa and a crackling fire, this is where to start. The lounge is a vast room where guests can sit down and unwind. You can bring your laptop down, grab a book (which are replenished monthly by Borzoi), or just relax.
The Drawing Room
Very similar vibe to the Lounge, only smaller and more intimate. What I loved about this room was that it housed the books (as I mentioned above) and a vast array of board games. The hotel encourages you to pick these up and take them to a quiet space in the hotel, including your room. We have recently gotten very into the game Skyjo and we were very happy to see that it was here!
The Terrace & Gardens
Hyll’s outdoor spaces were thoughtfully reimagined during the renovation. On a warmer day, I could really imagine relaxing here with a drink in hand. The views are magnificent – in fact, you can see 5 counties from the location. I can’t comment on the flowers and greenery for obvious reasons, but I can’t wait to come back to explore.
Dining
Before we had arrived, we of course had checked out the menu. Whilst the location of the Hyll Hotel is amazing in terms of relaxing, there isn’t a lot of choice when it comes to dining. Unless you want to drive a long way, you are eating at the restaurant. Luckily, our experience was incredible in this area and – whilst slightly more expensive than usual – the food was delicious and was easily one of the highlights of the visit.
Dinner
The menu of the restaurant is small and seasonal, but with enough variety to cater to everyone. When we arrived we were greeted by our wonderful waitress, Jenny. She couldn’t have been more friendly if she tried; the service felt like we were at a friend’s for dinner.
I opted for the Briar Hill Farm Lamb, served on a bed of cannellini beans and salsa verde, served with charred broccoli. The tenderness of the meat was unbelievable – the meal really felt and tasted luxurious. My husband opted for the ribeye steak, served with French fries, wild mushrooms, roasted marrowbone and bordelaise sauce. He said that this was one of the top 3 steaks he’s had and, after tasting it, I believe him.
For dessert, we were again spoilt for choice. I couldn’t resist the elderflower panna cotta, which included Oxford gooseberries, lemon & poppy seed shortbread. It was incredibly delicate and tasty. My husband went for the white chocolate profiteroles, served with pistachio & raspberries. His portion was incredibly generous; there were three large, home-made profiteroles. I must admit – I had food envy bad! Fortunately, he did share.
All of the ingredients are local and of really high quality. This goes as far as the drink too, and you can find many local gins, wines and beer at their bar.
Breakfast
I haven’t mentioned that Hyll allow you to have breakfast in bed at no extra charge. In the summer, they’ll even make you a picnic.
The menu for breakfast is honestly one of the best I’ve seen. We opted for a Full English and pancakes as our ‘mains’, served alongside pastries, cheeses, meats and overnight chia seeds. It was all brought up in the morning, served with cappuccinos and orange juice.
Our breakfast in bed was probably the highlight of our stay. We could enjoy our curated meal in a gorgeous room and could really just relax. There was no rushing down to secure the best deals at the buffet, or worrying about what to wear for breakfast. We just took it at our own pace, something which the Hyll Hotel is all about.
One thing you should know: Hyll takes breakfast seriously. Served in a dining space that feels equal parts farmhouse-chic and Nordic retreat, breakfast is included — and it sets the tone for the entire day.
Service
It wouldn’t be a review without mentioning the star-studded service at the Hyll Hotel. We genuinely couldn’t fault them at all, from the friendly welcome to our lovely experience at dinner. The staff go the extra mile for you. As I said, there is no extra cost for breakfast in bed or a picnic, but they also allow you to purchase the books which you read should you wish to, and much more. You’ll feel like a VIP from the moment you arrive, something which is long-forgotten in many other luxury hotel brands.
Ultimately, the service is so good you won’t need to worry about anything. You can relax.
Final Thoughts | Hyll Hotel Review
If you have had a busy few months and need to relax, come to the Hyll Hotel. Personally, I’ve been extremely busy recently. Our stay here was just what I needed and I genuinely came away feeling revitalised and refreshed. It was an incredible stay and one which I will be repeating… Soon.
If this sounds like a trip for you, why not consider reading my post on The Prettiest Villages in the Cotswolds? There are so many good days out from the Hyll Hotel that, for longer stays, will just add to your experience.
📍 Hyll Hotel, Cotswolds
Hyll, Campden Road, Charingworth, GL55 6NS
🌐 hyllhotel.com
