Tucked away in one of the Cotswolds’ prettiest villages, The Painswick is exactly the kind of boutique hotel we love to discover: stylish but relaxed, luxurious without feeling stuffy, and full of thoughtful details that make a stay memorable.
As a family of five, we’re always looking for places that work for both parents and children. Somewhere that feels special for a weekend away, but practical enough that everyone can properly relax. The Cottage is a beautifully restored three-bedroom hideaway right next to the main hotel. The perfect space for families who want a luxury stay, but also their own space and the amenities of a home from home.
We’d previously stayed at Calcot Manor, which shares the same owners, so we arrived with high expectations. Happily, The Painswick lived up to every one of them.
The Cottage
It’s a characterful cottage, completely self-contained with three bedrooms – two king size beds and one single – each with its own bathroom – there’s a freestanding bath in the main bedroom. Plus, a living room, dining room, kitchen, courtyard and private garden area.
We visited mid-heatwave, which did worry me slightly, but each room was kitted out with a Dyson fan, so it was a completely comfortable stay!
The children loved it – we walked in to be greeted to freshly baked biscuits. The lounge was complete with a PlayStation and board games. And they each had TVs in their bedroom which they just thought was the most exciting thing ever.
And perhaps the biggest miracle of all? They all slept through the entire night in their own beds. This is unheard of for a musical beds family like ours. But the rooms were just so comfortable – crisp white sheets, the best pillows and mattresses you immediately want to know the brand of. Everything is top tier.
The thing that really sets The Painswick apart is its attention to detail. The 100 Acres toiletries are delightful, the Roberts radio was softly playing as we entered, there were wellies + umbrellas by the door ready to be used. Gowns for all. A sourdough loaf and farm shop butter + milk ready-stocked in the kitchen.
And having your own private area as a family just makes everything so easy. We had a drink in the hotel garden before dinner and played scrabble, the kids cartwheeled on the lawn. But when they got a little tired, we could retreat to The Cottage, rest, have a bit of privacy but still a lot of space to settle before dinner…
The Food
When staying in The Cottage you have the option to dine in the restaurant or have a traybake delivered. We opted for the latter having three mildly fussy, hot and tired children. I think the restaurant would have been fine – particularly if you had a baby – but there isn’t a dedicated children’s menu and it is a little fancy and quite intimate – we thought we’d be more comfortable with the traybake and I’m so glad we did as it was the most delicious lasagne any of us had ever eaten.
And my mum makes a really good lasagne.
It arrived with a bottle of wine, large fresh salad and crumble and custard for dessert. Which again was just completely delicious. They even gave us some boxes so we could take home what we didn’t eat for the next day.
The same option was the case for breakfast but this time we chose to dine in the restaurant.
There was a selection laid out to help yourself to – salad and yoghurt, fresh juices, croissant, the most delicious homemade crumpets and lots more. We also ordered from the menu – avocado and eggs for me, a full English for my husband.
All of the food felt beautifully made and was thoughtfully presented. The atmosphere was relaxed and welcoming and the staff were super friendly throughout our stay.
Highlights
The hotel itself is beautiful to explore. It’s relatively small (17 bedrooms) but full of aesthetically pleasing nooks and crannies. There’s a small games room and the prettiest balcony I’ve seen in the UK – the perfect spot for a coffee or drink with a view.
A wander around the pretty village of Painswick and its picture-perfect Cotswold stone streets is a must.
As is a visit to the nearby Rococo Gardens – you can get free passes for these from the hotel reception – there’s a maze, tree swing and play areas as well as the most beautiful gardens and woodland. They have a plunge pool to dip your feet in which was heaven when the heatwave was in its prime.
If you’re staying for longer, you can also make use of the facilities at Calcot Manor, including the spa and swimming pool, although it’s around a 30-minute drive away.
On checkout, we were all given little homemade flapjacks to take away. It’s these small touches that make such a difference and leave such a lasting impression.
Need to Know
If you’re looking for a family-friendly Cotswolds stay that feels genuinely luxurious without sacrificing comfort, The Cottage is hard to beat. It’s ideal for families with more than two children – I often find hotels don’t offer great options for larger families. It would also work brilliantly for two families sharing. And if you want to bring your dog (we didn’t this time), they’re more than welcome too.
Having the privacy and space of your own cottage, alongside all the benefits of a boutique hotel, is a winning combination. We only stayed for one night, but the children were all desperate to stay longer. It’s an ideal base for exploring the Cotswolds…
The Cottage rates are from £706 B&B – the cottage is only bookable as a whole unit.
Check out more stylish UK family breaks HERE and HERE.
