Best Five Star Hotels in Malmesbury

We stayed in a spacious suite at Whateley Manor for six nights in late September, as part of a birthday trip exploring rural UK (we are Americans). From start to finish, we felt welcome and service was perfect in every way. Every detail we asked for was amazingly promptly attended to, but personnel went further -- they were proactive, and anticipated our needs. We had just come from another 5 star hotel where service was only 4 star, and the difference was refreshing. Our spacious quiet suite (room 17, 2nd floor) had a comfortable handmade mattress, a large living area, a bath with a two-person oversized soaking tub and separate shower with fluffy towels and bathrobes, a huge amount of closet and storage space, an in-room coffee/teamaker as well as a small fridge, and daily laundry service at a reasonable price. The food, wine, and service (especially by sommelier Connor) in the main dining room were simply brilliant, very creative. The lounge and bar area was comfortable with soft chairs and sofas and eclectic art work. Room service snacks were also available 24/7. In contrast, breakfast was not special (Full English, eggs and salmon, eggs benedict, but no interesting breads or varied charcuteries), but this is routine for upscale English inns. The same venue was used for the second restaurant, Grey's, which had a very limited though good menu (what I did not like there was the pumped in Detroit style pop music, it was distracting and tiring). This inn is on the extreme southern end of the Cotswolds, so the drive to get to the hub of things is further than with more centrally located hotels, and that is it's one disadvantage. Overall, however, we loved this inn.

Our 4th visit for lunch. Standards appear to be slipping. We were seated in a lounge room for lunch, when we had explicitly booked to eat in the dining room/ restaurant.Our booking details were not checked on arrival. We were seated in one of the “Lounge” areas, and waited 15 minutes before we were asked if we would like a drink. After ordering 3 glasses of sherry, after 10 minutes, we were informed that there was no sherry. The low lounge coffee-style table was then provided with cutlery in the style of the expectation of a “Bar” snack. We explained that we had booked for a formal lunch in the dining room. The food was superb - no complaints here - but the staff appeared to be inexperienced, and the standard of service was well below par. After recommending the hotel to many friends, we were most disappointed by our experience on September 11, and as a result we shall not return; neither shall we recommend the hotel in the future. What a pity, we previously thought we had found the ideal place for a perfect lunch.

Booked 10 minutes before we arrived here after being let down by Pettifers, Crudwell (see separate review). Landlady was very welcoming and helped my husband when she saw him struggling to walk across the carpark. We had a room in the courtyard which meant no stairs and the shower was a large walk in so excellent for us. The bed was very comfortable and there was all we needed in the room. Enough space to walk around and a dressing table with a chair and mirror where I could do my hair as a plug was nearby. The entrance way to the carpark is a little tight but after the first time you get used to it and there was a large transit van which had managed fine. There were painters there who were so nice and guided me through. At the end of the carpark is a terrace with great countryside side views and as the weather was lovely we spent quite a bit of time there. The 2 lads in the bar were a credit to the place as they were friendly and helpful. Would defiantly recommend.

Located in Malmesbury, The Horse & Groom Inn is in a rural location, a 5-minute drive from Malmesbury Abbey and 8 minutes from Lacock Abbey Country House. This inn is 7.8 mi (12.5 km) from Thames River and 5.5 mi (8.8 km) from Bristol Aero Collectlon.You can enjoy a meal at the restaurant serving the guests of The Horse & Groom Inn, or stop in at the snack bar/deli. Wrap up your day with a drink at the bar/lounge.Free self parking is available onsite.Stay in one of 5 guestrooms featuring flat-screen televisions. Digital television is provided for your entertainment. Bathrooms with shower/tub combinations are provided. Conveniences include electric kettles and free tea bags/instant coffee, and housekeeping is provided daily.