A review of De Vere Cotswolds Water Park

During a recent two-night stay in a lake view apartment, my friend and I had the opportunity to immerse ourselves in the beauty of the surroundings while indulging in exquisite dining experiences and exploring the nearby village of Cirencester.

Throughout our time at the De Vere Cotswolds, we indulged in fine dining, unwound with refreshing drinks, pampered ourselves, enjoyed leisurely conversations, strolled through picturesque landscapes, engaged in playful activities, and savoured every moment of our exceptional stay from beginning to end.

We arrived at the hotel on Friday evening, two hours before our dinner reservation at the hotel’s main restaurant, The Brasserie, and were greeted by the picturesque setting of the estate and the stunning interior designs.

The lake view apartment, boasting panoramic vistas of the tranquil waters and lush greenery, provided the perfect backdrop for a relaxing retreat.

The spacious and elegantly appointed apartment featured modern amenities such as a quaint bathroom, coffee and tea station, and a bed fit for quite literally a king, ensuring a comfortable stay throughout.

After spending a considerable amount of time getting ready and enjoying a bottle of prosecco, it was time to head to The Brassiere.

@poppyhuggett Escape the hustle and bustle of city life at the gorgeous De Vere Cotswold Water Park hotel. With stunning grounds, nature reserves and the beauty of the Cotswolds, its the perfect location for any nature lover 🤍 #Cotswolds #hotel #thingstodo #FYP #weekendaway ♬ Heartbeats - Remastered 2023 - José González

For starters, I enjoyed the Smoked Salmon with soused cucumber and pomegranate, whilst my friend had the Smoked Duck Breast – both starters were priced at £14.

My salmon was bursting with flavours and paired perfectly with the sweet essence of the pomegranate – this would be a great choice for any fish lovers.

For mains, I chose the £20 Harissa marinated pork fillet with was accompanied with Herb couscous, broccoli, and ras el hanout jus.

The pork fillet was balanced by succulent tenderness, harmonizing with the aromatic herb couscous.

My friend had the traditional Sirloin steak, which was accompanied with Portobello mushroom, tomato, watercress, and chips – this was priced at £32.

The vibes inside The Brassiere were relaxing, romantic and sweet – the staff were great and helped with any menu questions we had and recommended one of the best Chocolate fondant’s I have ever had the pleasure of eating.

Our stomachs were indeed satisfied, and we headed back to our gorgeous lakeside apartment, played some games, and had a delectable sleep which I am still dreaming about.

Each morning, we started our day at no other than The Brasserie with a sumptuous breakfast at the estate's restaurant, which featured a tempting array of freshly baked pastries, seasonal fruits, and hearty cooked options like sausages, bacon, hash browns and fried eggs.

After breakfast on the Saturday, we set out to explore the grounds surrounding the hotel and admired the serenity of the nature – including a Spill Weir, isolated bridge, and what I am sure would-be Rapunzel’s tower if the fairytale was set in the Cotswolds.

The charming village of Cirencester, located just a short drive away from the estate, was next on our list, and we enjoyed the streets lined with historic buildings and browsing through the array of charity shops scattered throughout the town, uncovering unique finds and supporting worthy causes along the way.

In the late afternoon, we were fortunate to try the hotel’s spa, Spa 6, which is home to a fully equipped gym, a swimming pool, sauna, spa facilities and a range of beauty treatments and spa experiences.

I was able to try the ‘My Kinda Mood’ 110-minute treatment, which quite literally made me drift away into a sleep, whilst my lovely masseuse Phoebe carried out a full body massage which left me feeling ‘oh so good’.

As evening descended, it was time to indulge in another delicious dinner at The Brassiere, where my friend and I shared a stunning Baked Camembert with sweet chilli jam, and I later relished the Spinach potato gnocchi which came with Oxford blue and truffle cream.

We ended our evening in the games room at De Vere Cotswolds and played classic favourites like Connect Four and Guess Who whilst chatting and enjoying a cold glass of Pino Grigio.

Overall, my experience at De Vere Cotswolds Estate was nothing short of exceptional.

From the tranquil lakeside setting to the exquisite dining experiences and leisure activities, every aspect of the stay exceeded expectations.

Whether seeking a romantic getaway or a peaceful retreat in the heart of the Cotswolds, this hidden gem offers a truly unforgettable escape.