If you’re looking for a fur-bulous getaway with your doggy friend then you needn’t compromise on luxury or location. While your first thought might be to trawl the internet for holiday cottages and pet-friendly farms, don’t forget there are lots of lovely hotels who are more than happy to welcome you – and your four-legged friend – through their doors too.
PetsPyjamas has done the hard work for you; compiling more than 18,000 hotels and cottages that are 100% dog-friendly, where your best pal will feel as welcome as you. And we were lucky enough to visit just one of those beautiful hotels; the stunning De Vere Cotswold Water Park, nestled amongst the lakes and waterways of the UK’s largest man-made marl lake system, right on the Gloucestershire-Wiltshire border.
Location
Set against the backdrop of a tranquil lake and reeds that rustle in the gentle breeze, De Vere Cotswold Water Park is a chic and contemporary building that sits beautifully amongst its natural surroundings.
On the outskirts of Cirencester, De Vere is wonderfully located for easy access to an area packed full of history, heritage and attractions for couples, families and dogs! There are museums, country houses and gardens, and country parks all within easy access, not to mention the rolling hills and wolds of the Cotswolds which sit right on your doorstep; ripe with footpaths and trails just waiting to be explored.
We decided to stay closer to home during our visit, exploring the local lakes and streams that meander around De Vere. There’s a gentle leafy stroll on your doorstep from the hotel lobby around Lake 6 – the waterway on which the hotel stands – which is certainly worth an early-morning dog walk. We followed the serene babbling stream through the trees, spotted cormorants as they perched with their wings outstretched drying their feathers, and took in views of the hotel across the shimmering water.
Lake 6 is just one of around 180 lakes that make up Cotswold Water Park itself – a Site of Special Scientific Interest stretching across 40 sq. miles – which were made when the pits created during limestone extraction filled with water. This fascinating and unique landscape has become a haven for wildlife, particularly for birds and aquatic plants, making it an excellent spot for enjoying bird-spotting and relaxing on the hotel’s decking.
Hotel
De Vere Cotswold Park is a modern hotel that really makes the most of its beautiful setting. The building – made of Cotswolds stone and vast swathes of glass – reflects the pretty setting in its windows. The décor and finishes inside are equally as inspired by the surrounding landscape, with rich blues and natural textures throughout.
A popular conferencing, events and meeting destination, there are parts of De Vere that feel quite corporate. But the friendly staff and cosy corners offer quiet retreats for anyone who is visiting for a break from the hustle and bustle of everyday life, as opposed to those networking with colleagues and clients.
The smiling staff greeted us with treats for Storm and gave us a map to find our way around the building and grounds. The lobby is a large, modern space decorated with exquisite floral displays, and is home to The Pantry; a little shop packed full of goodies that you – or your furry friend – may need during your stay. Next door is Spa6 and The Gym; where guests can enjoy working out in a state-of-the-art gym, or can relax by the swimming pool, or in the sauna. There are also a range of beauty treatments on offer if you need a little extra to help you unwind after a long day exploring the wolds.
Room
We were staying in a deluxe lakeside bedroom with excellent views over the water. Large windows took in the watery vista and our patio doors opened straight onto the wooden decking, nestled amongst the reed beds. Celebrating the landscape outside, the room was decorated in hues of blues, finished with rustic nautical-inspired wood furniture. A beautiful mural of birds soaring over the trees and soft furnishings imprinted with flora and fauna added to the relaxing setting and really brought the outside in.
Sadly some areas of the room were a little tired and reminded us that we were in a busy conferencing setting, as opposed to a grand country house hotel. The tiles and grout in the bathroom were cracked and a little grimy, while the water ran hot and cold in the shower. However, the room was well-proportioned – with plenty of space for Storm – and well-equipped, providing him with a plush bed, smart ceramic bowls, and a selection of tasty treats (for which he was very grateful!), while offering us a large and comfy bed, desk area, lounge space, and small kitchen with a large fridge and mini bar.
Dining
If you’re thinking of lunch or dinner then there are several options at De Vere Cotswold Water Park. The Old Boathouse Restaurant and Bar – which was sadly closed during our visit – offers guests classic British dishes and lakeside dining in a lovely setting, overlooking the water. In the main hotel, The Brasserie is the formal dining room for breakfast and dinner, but we headed to the laid-back and cosy Lounge and Bar (which is dog-friendly) to tuck into a delicious meal.
Storm was happy to snooze under the table in a quiet corner as we enjoyed drinks from the bar and a friendly server talked us through the menu. I chose the wild mushroom and mozzarella arancini with aioli; a basket of tasty, crunchy breadcrumb-coated balls filled with warm rice and gooey mozzarella. My husband opted for the salt and pepper squid which was served with sweet mango, hot chilli and zingy lime.
To follow, I chose the chargrilled tuna loin, served with a fresh Niçoise salad; which was dressed with a flavoursome dressing and finished with intense, sweet sun-dried tomatoes, soft potatoes and hard-boiled eggs. My other half sampled the asparagus gnocchi which came in a rich carbonara sauce and smelled delicious. For dessert I took a risk, steering away from my usual chocolate choice to try the banana and toffee mess; a sundae of cream, banana, toffee, honeycomb, and popcorn which I wasn’t entirely convinced by (although I only had myself to blame)!
In a nutshell
PetsPyjamas brands itself as the dog-friendly travel experts and you can certainly rely on them to help you plan a getaway that’s right for you, and for Fido. We certainly found an excellent spot for our mini escape with Storm; De Vere Cotswold Water Park was perfect for a short overnight stay offering lovely walks on the doorstep, comfortable and relaxing accommodation with beautiful views across the lake, and tasty food that gave us the energy to keep up with our dog’s exuberance!
Factbox
Amy and Storm’s trip was organised by PetsPyjamas, which offers exceptional and exclusive dog-friendly holiday packages where dogs stay free with almost all bookings. With just one booking, customers become members of PetsPyjamas’ Priority Paws loyalty programme, with benefits to the value of over £1,200 including access to their own VIP pet concierge, complimentary 24/7 vet line access for the duration of their trip, special discounts and exclusive deals. To discover the best in dog-friendly holidays, visit petspyjamas.com.
Address: De Vere Cotswold Water Park Hotel, Spine Road E, Cirencester, GL7 5FP
Phone: 020 3642 3162 (PetsPyjamas)
Website: petspyjamas.com
