In mid-October, we are looking to stay in the Cotswolds, in a town centrally located for touring around, but that's not too remote in the evening. I have limited my choices (believe it or not) to the following places and looking for some insight as to what you've heard or your personal experiences.

Wyck Hill House Hotel (Stow-on-the-Wold) (it seems really nice, 4 stars, decent price, but I've done a search and don't see any reviews)
Manor House Hotel (Moreton-in-Marsh)
The Broadway (Broadway)
Malt House (Chipping Campden)
Burford House (Burford)
Bay Tree Hotel (Burford)

I've also looked into the Grapevine (Stow-on-the-wold), The Swan (Bibury)(not sure if they have availability) and the Lygon Arms (Broadway)(on the more expensive side, but is it worth it?)
Lots of thanks in advance for your help.

I've stayed at the Bay Tree and Burford House. The former is lovely but I'd pass on the latter. I found the owners a bit cold but that's all rather subjective I realize. I also like The Golden Pheasant in Burford.

Of the others you mentioned, I'd take the Swan in Bibury if it's available.

I'm sure you'll get lots of input.

I just returned from a trip that included a stay at Burford House and I can't recommend it highly enough. Evveryone was very kind and helpful.They even looked up information for us on the internet regarding a site we wanted to see. The room was wonderful and the bathroom was huge. Burford is a great town with a number of nice restaurants. This was important to me because I'd rather not drive in the Cotswolds after dark. As an added bonus they offer laundry service at a very reasonable cost. SAK, did you make a decision on Bath? I just noticed your previous post and I've stayed at both Hayden House and Villa Magdala.

RacoonBait: we did decide on Bath and got a room at Haydon House. But I'll tell you it was a tough choice. What was your opinion of your stay there? Did I make the right decision?

As far as our stay in the Cotswolds, this is where we were going to splurge a little bit, so I had preferred to do some sort of Manor or castle type of accommodation, thus, my hesitation with Burford House, even though the reviews are fairly good. Anyone with some input to sway me one way or the other?

Here are some elegant Manor Houses that we have stayed at in the Cotswolds:

Danesfield House Marlow-on-Thames, England

and:

LORDS OF THE MANOR

For 200 years the home of the Witts family, this Hotel lies in Upper Slaughter, one of the most unspoilt villages in the Cotswolds. A calm Country House atmosphere and a superb Michelin Star Restaurant.

Tel: +44 (0)1451 820243
E-Mail: [email protected]

While Lord of the Manor is OVERATED-it's restaurant is TO DIE FOR-- Michelin rated and outstanding food and service-Definitely try to get there for dinner..

and we have also stayed at the Bay Tree and it was small rooms but tons of fun- restaurant had wonderful food...

Tel: +44 (0)1993 822791
E-Mail: [email protected]

I stayed at Haydon House several years ago and it was very nice. Our room was on the top floor and very spacious. The breakfasts were quite good as I remember. It's about a 5 minute uphill walk from town. It made day trips easier since you didn't have to deal with the traffic, but it was a long walk home at night after dinner. We solved that problem by getting a cab most nights. They can always be found around the Abbey.

SAK, I could be wrong or misunderstanding your posts, but I think wanting a place that's "not too remote in the evening" and wanting to splurge on a manor house/castle might be working against each other. Manor houses/castles are unlikely to be in the center of a town where you can walk around.

Of the places you've mentioned, I've only stayed at the Swan in Bibury (many years ago) and I LOVED it! It seemed like the quintessential English Country Inn. However there's nothing else in Bibury but another hotel-no pubs, restos, shops etc. So in the evening I had dinner at the Swan (which was lovely)but I was only there for 2 nights. During the day we easily toured other villages.

All the other locations you've mentioned are towns with activity-shops, pubs etc but one of the Burford hotels is also not right IN town-can't remeber which one it is though.

I THINK the Lygon Arms has gotten good reviews here

Thanks for your help. I guess your right, I am looking for that type of charm who would find in a Manor or castle, and it would certainly make sense that it would not be located in the center of town. I suppose I was also thinking that it would be convenient not to be too isolated so perhaps we could do something in the evenings, where we could walk. But I don't think I can have the best of both worlds. Thanks for making that point.

Anyway, I tried booking the Swan, but it is fully booked for one of the three nights (the second night) that we are staying in the Cotswolds. So, unfortunately, it's off the list. I was now thinking about leaning towards Wyck Hill House or the Manor House Hotel. Does anyone know anything about either of them? Thanks

Also, has anyone heard anything about Charingworth Manor in Chipping Campden? Good, bad, etc? Thanks.

Sorry I can't help with any of these. Are you checking on tripadvisor.com?

Meanwhile, I've been searching on & off all day for an article I read recently about talented young Brits who've renovated old Manor Houses throughout Britain & opened them as hotels. One or two were in the Cotswolds. I THINK it was in US Vogue in the Sept issue. But US Vogue doesn't have a search engine for archives on the web. If you're interested you might try at your library.