De Vere Cotswold Water Park

The visit made Mum’s birthday extra special, and she had the best time. We booked a spa day with treatments at this fabulous hotel, where the facilities were immaculate and the customer service was superb. The receptionist, spa staff, treatment provider and team at the Boat house restaurant next door all helped make it a great experience. We plan to return, this time for an overnight stay. Many thanks to the staff, especially those at the restaurant and spa.

The water views from the balcony are beautiful, and the setting is lovely. Our rooms were spacious, clean and tidy. The food was good for our large conference, and drinks were reasonably priced. Check where your room is in relation to the parking, as it can be a long walk. It’s worth moving the car closer.

Breakfast was a highlight. My husband said the scrambled eggs were the best he’d ever had, and I loved the vegan yogurt with so many toppings. The staff were all lovely and polite, and they had a cot ready for us along with an anniversary card. I loved the deer statues, fountain, park and ponds/lake, and every room has a balcony. The lobby was beautifully decorated and the bar was lovely too. We didn’t get to the boat house this time, but definitely will next time. 10/10 hotel.

The lakeside setting and wildlife are beautiful, and there’s a nice playground and kids’ menus at both restaurants. The staff do try to be helpful. But the hotel feels like a throwback to Britain in the 90s: the food is bad and the rooms are tired. Be aware that everything costs extra, including the swimming pool at £10 per person per hour. With the kids’ menu, order all the courses you want together, or you’re charged for each course separately instead of the two-course menu price.