Dormy House Hotel & Spa began life as a working farmhouse in the 17th century and the hallmarks of that heritage of evident from the moment you set eyes on the estate.
Warm, welcoming staff were on hand in the light, airy reception area. A name check for our six-month-old son and a glass of prosecco could not have made for a special, more courteous first impression.
No building feels the same at Dormy. Everything feels very joined up and accessible, but nothing seems to be the same age or appearance. It’s a delightful, charming combination.
After the brief tour we were shown to our room, which was classed under their Splendid category.
The unique selling point of Dormy, to me, feels like the peace there. It is set in the stunning Cotswolds, away from the rat race, with countryside in every direction and, crucially, the room sets that tone too.
The greys, greens and blues of the room were gentle, classy and calming. As with the whole establishment, the room was light and airy with two large windows and, again, our baby was thought of. A comfortable travel cot, with bedding, was waiting for us.
An immaculate en suite almost goes without saying based on the descriptions I’ve given you up to now. There was also a tablet included. Replacing the traditional handbook you may find at more dated establishments, this tablet is your Dormy bible and allows you to order things like fresh milk to your room.
The spa was a short walk down three flights of stairs and into the lower levels of the complex. Treatments are available, but we stuck with a pleasant half an hour in the indoor pool and outdoor jacuzzi.
The pool was long enough for lengths and the jacuzzi hot enough to switch off and enjoy the countryside air without catching a chill. Again, it’s the peace of the place. Nothing, but the sound of nature.
Our first evening centred around a reservation at Dormy’s new restaurant, The Back Garden, the centrepiece of which was a jaw-dropping series of floor-to-ceiling glass panels, which open up the entire restaurant to the, yes, enclosed garden beyond.
Seated by the window, the garden provides a beautiful backdrop for this new restaurant at Dormy, which prides itself on showcasing the best of the Cotswolds with an ever changing menu founded upon sustainability and seasonality.
Three courses will set you back £49.50 per person, but the quality is there and the portions are perfect. Normally, I find myself getting to that dessert course in a little trouble, but it was manageable here and we did not return to the room needing a sit down en route.
After an uninterrupted sleep, even with a baby, and a breakfast with limitless options, we made the effort to explore the wider area, which you will want to do during a stay at Dormy.
Deciding on nearby Moreton-in-Marsh, a town you have almost certainly driven through along the A429, we were delighted with the charming offering of pubs and shops.
After another relax in the spa back at Dormy we dined at The Potting Shed, where the hotel’s bar was situated and offered a less formal experience than The Back Garden.
Unfortunately for us, our little one behaved much worse and made it difficult for us to properly relax, but the staff, at no stage made us feel unwelcome or like an inconvenience.
The food on this second night was also sublime and could not be faulted. This restaurant was more dimly lit, moody and romantic with soft music playing and cocktails being made at the bar.
The relaxed and laid back approach to guest happiness is best summed up by their willingness for us to have dessert served in our room. We wanted to protect the other diners from our whiny boy.
Beyond the restaurants and the spa, there are several lounging areas within the hotel, which allow one to escape their room for a change of scenery. There is one bar and outdoor area attached to the spa, while there are three lounges, complete with fires, board games, books and newspapers also available.
For a relaxing, peaceful break from city or urban life, Dormy House Hotel & Spa is highly recommended.
The staff, the facilities, the dining experiences, the spa, the quality of sleep, the surrounding countryside and picturesque nearby towns should make this an appealing location for anyone looking to treat themselves to a tranquil break.
Rates at Dormy House start from £269 per room on a B&B basis. Special ‘Hot Date’ rates available from £215 per room on a B&B basis.Contact: +44(0)1386 852711 / reservations@dormyhouse.co.uk Website: www.dormyhouse.co.uk Travel: Dormy House is approximately an hour and a half out of London by car. Moreton-In-Marsh is the closest train station and can be reached via a direct train from Paddington in under two hours.
