Cleeve Hill Hotel

After a full day walking the Cotswold Way, we were so glad to arrive here. Rachel welcomed us and showed us to a very comfortable twin room, and Lindsey was wonderfully hospitable with a delicious breakfast. They'd clearly considered what walkers might need. My sister and I only wish we could have stayed longer, and we'd love to return. Thanks to Lindsey and the team!

Lindsay, the host, did so much to make our stay lovely. The bedroom was comfortable and clean, and breakfast was hot with plenty to choose from. We had two fabulous nights here and would highly recommend the hotel.

Breakfast had a wide choice and was very enjoyable, and luckily the rain had stopped by morning, so we could walk up Cleeve Hill. It's always a thrill, and the views are stunning. The night before, we ate at La Vecchia Banca Italian restaurant in Bishops Cleeve, as the hotel had recommended several places. It lived up to expectations, and a short, inexpensive taxi ride back rounded off the evening nicely. We came for one night to celebrate many years of marriage and revisit a place we'd lived next door to in the seventies. Lindsey and Rachel welcomed us warmly, even in monsoon conditions. It was good to see how much the building had improved since the run-down state we remembered. Refurbishment is still under way, and there were few guests, but the hotel felt good, with subtle Christmas decorations. Our room was excellent, well equipped and warm, with a great view towards the distant Malverns and a very comfortable bed. Thank you, Lindsey, and best wishes for the future.

The house is clean, the rooms are fine, and breakfast is good. It's also convenient for the Cotswold Way. But the owner's strict and unwelcoming way of running the place overshadowed all of that. It felt more like a rigid youth hostel than a hotel or a welcoming B&B. The innkeeper came across as curt, stingy and controlling. Ask for milk in your coffee and you get exactly two tablespoons; butter is one tiny square, and asking for more may bring a story about another guest taking yours. Guests seem to be treated like intruders. The rules are absurdly inflexible. Six hikers staying together weren't allowed to eat breakfast as a group: half had to come at 7 and the rest at 9. The later group asked for coffee, even though it was from a self-service machine, and were told it wasn't their time. Arrive before 3 pm and you'll be locked out, no exceptions. One woman in her eighties said she'd once been refused entry when she arrived early in high heat, and clearly never stayed again. There are plenty of warmer, more welcoming places along the trail, and this one isn't worth the discomfort.