A 'calm oasis in the middle of the busy Cotswolds', this 17th-century manor house of honeyed Cotswold stone is 'a bit hidden away', in 'beautifully maintained' gardens on the River Eye. 'Having found the hotel, it was generally really excellent,' writes a regular reporter. Smart interiors are a contemporary take on the English country house. Bedrooms range from small doubles to super-king 'Lords Rooms'. A 'strange suite' of attic rooms had a sitting room, shower room, a bathroom with a modish slipper bath with 'very high sides'. Witts room, named after a former diary-keeping resident parson, was 'extremely large' with antiques, a 'beautifully comfortable' bed, a small bathroom. You can opt for a tasting menu in Atrium, or eat à la carte, maybe 'confit of duck with bean cassoulet, superb butternut squash soup', lamb shank with salsa verde. 'Every mouthful was a delight,' says one reader, though another noted that the short menu was the same on a second night. At breakfast 'the homemade yoghurt was quite remarkable, and we enjoyed the juicy kippers'. 'Gorgeous location, very peaceful, excellent gardens.' (John Barnes, M Collen, Andrew Kleissner, RW)