Cowley Manor Experimental

Lovely location and excellent service in the restaurant.

The furniture (except for the bed) was very uncomfortable and it was impossible to read in bed.

The fact that that the staff were very friendly and exceptionally well briefed was brilliant. The food in the restaurant was very good as well and the spa facilities were brilliant.

The room did have some dust balls in the alcoves and as I had some of my clothes on the floor they got covered in dust balls. When paying the bill service was slipped onto the bill for treatments which I feelwas cheeky. I think there is a better way of doing this but to see £12 on the bill was not great. The restaurant should have a more reasonably priced house wine (it was either £66 or £70) for the house wine which is excessive. There should be a range and not with a starting price of £66/£70. We were asked throughout our stay which room do you want the cost going on (we were a group of 4 in two rooms) so we said yes put this on that and that on this room. But when the final bill came everything was lumped on the one bill which led to confusion. Why ask which rooms we should put charges to if you then lump it all together. With the spa I think there could be a little more management there. I'm thinking about staff making some rules clear to guests like no glasses (even if plastic) in the sauna or at least ensure you take them out when you leave. I took out three during my stay because other guests left them in there. Also making visitors to the spa who are wearing shoes to put plastic covers on them. Finally it would be great to have decent coffee available for guests ordering a coffee rather than instant being the only option

Loved the mix of modern and original design , the grounds are amazing!

Nothing

The staff were helpful and made a special occasion just that.

There were multiple instances of things being dirty or untidy . Biscuit crumbs on the floor of the room or water bottles smeared with food. The spa changing facilities were untidy with used towels everywhere and had multiple kids pool noodles left out, glasses left in the sauna and pool side. Food was massively overpriced for what you got, and I’m comparing to London prices. For the room price you expect better