Hoburne Cotswolds Review

We were lucky enough to be asked to review Hoburne Cotsolds this weekend, and here are our honest thoughts!

Hoburne Cotswolds is situated in the heart of the picturesque Cotswolds (and boy is it beautiful!). It offers a tranquil and scenic escape, just what we needed. This review covers various aspects of the park, including the Deluxe 3-bedroom lodge with a hot tub and the on-site restaurant. We also explored nearby attractions like Cotswold Wildlife Park and Diddly Squat Farm Shop.

Check in

This was easy, and as we arrived late in the afternoon, there was no queue. The receptionist was polite and welcoming, and gave me all the information I needed. We got an information booklet which was useful. We were provided with a key on a wooden keyring – it was nice to have something that wasn’t plastic as we have had in the past. The check-in area was pretty quiet considering that it was half-term. It was decorated ready for the Halloween celebrations and lots of families were taking selfies with the skeleton!

Accommodation

Our lodge was located about a couple of minutes drive from the reception area (or a ten minute walk). It was in a nice and quiet area which suited us. We were given a lodge on Water Lily Meadows which was situated at the edge of the park. The whole park was, in fact, quieter than I had expected for half-term. I am guessing that this is a newer area of the park, as we had a drive around.

Where we were, the lodges were larger, and most had a hot tub. Our lodge felt brand new! Other parts of the park had smaller lodges and no hot tub. We were also lucky to have private parking, which made unloading our belongings easy (especially as it was raining and dark!)

Deluxe 3-bedroom lodge

The Deluxe 3-bedroom lodge we stayed in was very clean and very well-maintained. We were impressed! The living area was very spacious, with plenty of room for a family of six if required. There were two twin bedrooms and one double bedroom. All were more spacious than the lodges / mobile homes I have stayed in previously. There would have been plenty of space for six adults.

The bedding and furniture throughout were immaculate, as was the cleanliness. There was a nice touch when we arrived, with a little post card telling us who had cleaned the lodge – Tina and Claire, you did a great job!

The kitchen was well equipped with everything that you needed, including a little box of ‘essentials’. Unfortunately, we hadn’t packed any salt or pepper, which we didn’t think of until our evening meal on day two. This was our fault as we hadn’t read the list properly to see what was provided. We did venture to reception to ask whether we could have a sachet or two. We were told ‘no’, but we could buy some the following day from the on-site shop. That really didn’t help our meal prep that evening (and we had had a glass of wine, so we couldn’t pop out to any other local shops). However, we have to admit to asking at the restaurant where we had eaten the evening before, and they were more than happy to help and provided us with a couple of sachets of each! In this instance, I think reception could have been a little more obliging! A couple of sachets of salt and pepper offered with a smile would have been nice! It’s these little things that change customer service from good to excellent.

Hot Tub

The highlight of the lodge was undoubtedly the hot tub, which provided a luxurious way to unwind after a day of exploring the Cotswolds. However, we were a little disappointed to find that when we arrived, it was actually switched off and a little cold to venture in. However, we did manage to turn it on, and by the evening, it was warm enough to enjoy—and much better the following day. The hot tub, like the rest of the resort, was spotlessly clean. It was inspected on the second day by two men. I don’t think they thought anyone was in as they were quite noisy on the decking outside; however, they seemed happy in their job, so it didn’t really bother me!

Another niggle was that the wifi didn’t work. It wasn’t a massive issue as we tethered to our phones, but it was a niggle, never-the-less!

Restaurant

The on-site restaurant at Hoburne Cotswolds serves a variety of dishes, from hearty breakfasts to evening dinners. We had a three-course meal and wine in the restaurant. However, I have to confess that we had low expectations. We were at a holiday park during half term and expected it to be crowded, noisy, and serving typical ‘pub grub’. However, we were so wrong; it exceeded all expectations in all areas and was a highlight of our stay!

We found the food to be of excellent quality, and the service was friendly and efficient. The restaurant’s menu caters to a range of tastes, and we were particularly impressed that there were options for the foodies amongst us. Despite being in a holiday park, the restaurant really did cater to adults. We may be on holiday with our children, but we also want a nice meal out and to feel catered for. Hoburne has absolutely nailed this: fantastic menu, fantastic meal, and fantastic staff (special mention to Ellie!).

Local Attractions

One of the highlights of staying at Hoburne Cotswolds is its proximity to local attractions. Cotswold Wildlife Park, a short drive away, is a fantastic family outing. The park features a wide array of animals and beautiful gardens. It’s an educational and enjoyable experience for all ages. Having been to Africa over the summer, it was great to see the animals in such large enclosures.

Diddly Squat Farm Shop, owned by Jeremy Clarkson, is another nearby gem. The shop offers a variety of locally sourced products, and the quirky farm-themed setting adds to its charm. It has a cafe which serves a small but tasty menu. The shop itself, however, had a massive queue. We queued for over an hour (in the rain) – I was glad it wasn’t winter too!

Conclusion

Hoburne Cotswolds is an ideal destination for those seeking a peaceful and scenic retreat in the Cotswolds. The Deluxe 3-bedroom lodge, with its hot tub, offers a comfortable and relaxing stay. The on-site restaurant serves delicious food, and the local attractions, including Cotswold Wildlife Park and Diddly Squat Farm Shop, provide plenty of opportunities for exploration. Hoburne Cotswolds is a great choice for a family holiday or a group getaway, offering a balance between relaxation and adventure in a stunning natural setting.

Pros

• Spacious
• Immaculately clean
• Beautiful location
• Excellent on-site restaurant

Cons

• The hot tub was turned off on arrival
• Wifi in lodge didn’t work

Despite there being a couple of ‘cons’, we would certainly highly recommend Hoburne Cotwolds as an ideal destination whether you are travelling with your family, need a cheeky couple weekend away, or even a babymoon. Well done, Hoburne; we will be back!

We awarded Hoburne Cotswolds 9/10 stars.

Read more Parenting Expert reviews here.