Another quintessentially fabulous, and very English, country house hotel. The major difference between this boutique bolthole is that she serves style, and effortlessly so. Hidden away off a busy road on a smidge of the vast Farncombe Estate, it is perhaps, one of the most remote inns the Cotswolds conjures up. There are a few chocolate-box villages around, and the closest big town Moreton-in-Marsh is a mere 12-minute drive south, but beyond that you are truly out in the sticks. In fact, the only company you really have here is your fellow guests – mostly wealthy bankers and their husbands and wives who all naturally hail from West London or the capital’s burbs.
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Stylistically, Dormy House has been designed to feel like a classy home. Groundbreaking, we know. But sarcasm aside, the patina lies in the house’s lovely attention to detail. It’s peek cottage core, with 17th-century farmhouse feels and great big old stone fireplaces and flagstone floors to match. Beyond the front door, it is all very informal with rooms filled with cushty couches, window seats and reception rooms oozing Nordic chic – countless cute dogs included. The atrium is perhaps the biggest showstopper, and thanks to the well of light that graces the space, it’s the cosiest of all the main lounging spots dotted throughout the house.
As for the rooms, they are all individual in style and were crafted with space in mind. As I was staying with a cute Pomeranian mix called Hugo, I was out from the main house in one of the dog-friendly Courtyard Suites. The style is overly minimal and caters more to pups that it does human folk. The bed was comfortable, and the bathroom functional but it was Hugo who scored more than me. He got his own doggy bowl, bag of treats, a toy bone and a courtyard complete with a chair he could sit and contemplate in. I was his human butler, and naturally he loved it. Elsewhere, the suites are lavish and large. Exposed stone walls, beams, and copper tin roll top tubs are the norm here, and if you are out in one of the cottages, outdoor hot tubs come as standard.
Another perk of staying here is that it is a great spot for foodies. MO is a real highlight and it’s perhaps the most intimate and entertaining chef’s table style experience you can have here. Sustainability and seasonality take centre stage during the eight-course culinary tour-de-force, with much of the herbs and veg coming direct from the estate gardens and greenhouses. Game is also caught locally and comes in the form of venison, chicken and Peppa pig’s family. The jus is lush, as are the wines to wash it down with, too. Brekkie is a score, too. Served in The Back Garden, it is a lavish affair with a big old buffet headlining all sorts of fresh fruit, muesli, cold meats, pastries and eggs cooked to order. The fry up is also good, and worth the extra plume of belly fat.
When it comes to burning it all off, you are all set. Dormy House is very much off the beaten track, and long country walks to nowhere are plentiful. The concierge team is clued up on all the must-sees, so it’s worth planning your itinerary in advance of your stay so you can get the most out of your rural escape. Plus, with a spa and golf course in the mix, you are near guaranteed to never get bored here. Wellies are available to borrow, and among the great list of organised “adventures” in the Farmcombe Estate and beyond, you can take up all sorts from archery and axe throwing to clay pigeon shooting and falconry.
Overall, it’s a beautiful and stylish spot, and one worth making a real long weekend of if you have the time. Lovely jubbly indeed.
Top Takeaways
Location: Broadway, Cotswolds, England
Rating: Five-star
The vibe: Cottage core chic with a dose of Scandi noir.
Food + drink: Farm fresh to a tee and Michelin guide approved. If you are not staying, it’s worth coming here just for the grub, especially at MO.
Amenities: spa, restaurant, golf course, bar, dog-friendly rooms
Our favourite thing about the hotel: It’s quiet to a tee and a truly wonderful spot to just switch off and clear out all those dusty cerebral cobwebs.
What’s nearby: Nothing. Go on a walk and get lost in the woods. That’s the whole point.
Rooms? 38
Pricing: From about 900 USD per night.
Closest international airport: London Heathrow
