Checking In: Whatley Manor

Originally named ‘Twatley Manor’ (an abbreviation of “To the wet lea”, Whatley Manor was built in the 19th century. It was bought in 1925, underwent a series of alternations and extensions, before being transformed into a hotel for the first time in 1987. In 2000, the property was purchased by its current owners: Alix Landolt and her husband Marco. The pair painstakingly restored the farmhouse, bringing it back to its former glory. 

Refined Rooms: 

At its core, Whatley Manor is rooted in tradition. Panelled wooden walls dominate in the ‘Tudor wing’, roaring fireplaces beckon in cavernous rooms, and thick, farmhouse stone walls protect you from the elements. This historic charm is perfectly complemented by a series of modern flourishes including Matisse-esque artwork, red lacquered lamps, and avant-garde menus. 

With just a total of 23 rooms, Whatley Manor never feels crowded. Guests can choose from five different styles of room: classic, superior, junior suite, suite, and deluxe suite. My guest and I were lucky enough to call one of their sumptuous suites our home away from home for the evening. Complete with a separate lounge and study area, our suite felt seriously capacious - the kind of space that invites you to fully unfurl and hunker down in. The bedroom boasts a super-kingsize bed handmade in Yorkshire, while the bathroom feels like an extension of the spa with heated flooring, Molton Brown products, plush robes, and quite possibly the most powerful, invigorating shower I’ve ever put to the test. 

Stays here feel elevated thanks to a few thoughtful additions that don’t go unnoticed. Guests can enjoy green tea, English breakfast tea, coffee, complimentary snacks including homemade biscuits, and bottles of milk delivered to your door. To top it all off, Whatley Manor also provides multiple services including same-day laundry service and shoe cleaning. As for facilities, guests can make use of the cinema room (which can be booked out privately), bicycle hire and the bird hide which sits beside the river. 

Elevated Dining: 

Under the guidance of Executive Chef Ricki Weston, food is taken seriously at Whatley Manor. The Michelin-starred Dining Room spotlights gastronomic excellence with impeccable service, while Grey’s Restaurant is more of a relaxed affair where small plates reign supreme.

Guests looking to maximise their stay should indulge in either The Dining Room’s six-course (£145pp) or nine-course menu (£175pp), the latter being a masterful tribute to the finest seasonal ingredients, where every dish tells a different story. The experience begins in the heart of the kitchen - a rare opportunity to observe the flair and confidence of Weston’s team as they whip up all manner of culinary delights. A refreshing glass of vermouth infused with herbs and flowers and topped with Gusbourne sparkling wine is paired with ‘yesterday’s bread’ - wonderfully crunchy shards of bread that are dipped into a mousse-like dip flavoured with shallots and bacon. For a zingy contrast, guests are also treated to a pot of tuna tartare layered with creamy panna cotta and embellished with glossy caviar. 

Next, we move onto the bread course which is presented with glasses of Gewurztraminer laced with sweet, fruity notes. Sourdough bread jostles for attention next to crescents of parsnip bread brushed with waste XO (vegetable reduction). These crunchy bites pair beautifully with the rippling butter rosette that looks almost otherworldly sprinkled with vegetable ash. Juicy morsels of lobster follows atop a bed of lobster risotto and topped with marinated trout roe and a fig leaf blanquette. It’s a textural masterpiece that dances across the palate, and a dish that lingers on my mind long after the meal reaches a close. For an extra dose of crunch, the dish is accompanied by a crispy lobster tempura. 

The feast continues with a whimsical squash and sunflower dish complete with delicate squash petals and a paste made from fermented sunflower seeds. This goes hand-in-hand with a delicate Ribolla Gialla orange wine from the US boasting notes of lemon curd. A crab dish follows next featuring a layer of toasted brioche, poached crab and a creamy hollandaise sauce whipped with brown butter. We wash this down with a glass of Voski Zorah - a soft wine imbued with pear, peach and apricot. 

After a series of elegant plates, the main meal of Beef & Beets is ceremoniously served. Using last season’s beetroot and grass-fed Aberdeen Angus beef from next door, the dish is earthy and unctuous, comprising three iterations of beef and beetroot as well as a spiced beetroot jus. These rich, autumnal flavours perfectly echo the juicy blackberry and blackcurrant notes of the fifth wine pairing - a Cabernet Sauvignon.

The meal entered its final phase with a trio of sweet treats. A honey dessert arrived first with a glass of saccharine Tokaj. This sweetness is subsequently balanced out by a preserved plum pudding served with fermented plum ice cream, a set plum wine custard, ginger crumb and a citrus sugar tuile. For an added dose of pink, the second dessert is served with a glass of lightly sparkling Brachetto.

We end the tasting menu on a high note, tucking into a moreish mint chocolate mousse which is served with a delicate Italian meringue ice cream sandwich. It’s a velvety-smooth mouthful with sufficient crunch from the biscuit. A green tea concoction cleanses the palate, bringing guests back to reality after a spell of culinary wizardry. 

Aquarias Spa: 

Whatley Manor’s award-winning Aquarias Spa is a quiet cocoon, inviting guests to switch off and recharge. At the heart of the spa is an expansive hydrotherapy pool that snakes its way outside for an indoor-outdoor feel. Visitors can either wallow in the warm water, or meander towards the massage jets for an invigorating wake-up.

Pool aside, there’s also a calidarium, a steam grotto, a laconium, an infrared sauna, a tepidarium with heated stone recliners, salt scrub showers, a spa lounge and an iso flotation pod. The beauty of Whatley Manor’s spa is that guests can easily hop from one cabin to the next, alternating between hot and cold for a restorative reset.

From the Dyson hairdryers in the changing room to the refreshing flannels stacked on a bed of ice in the lounge area, every detail within the spa has been carefully considered. To further elevate the experience, a roster of Sothys and Gaia treatments are also available for guests to book, including a jade facial, a hot stones massage, and a deep tissue massage. 

Overall Verdict: 

Whatley Manor is a beguiling spot where guests can escape the daily grind and recharge whilst immersed in nature. It’s a place that invites you to slow down and indulge in culinary excellence before sloughing off the dregs of the day in the Aquarias spa. Whether you’re looking for a multi-generational escape with friends and family or a romantic getaway, Whatley Manor is a rural idyll with plenty of Cotswolds charm to boot.

To book your stay, visit whatleymanor.com