One of the Cotswolds' most iconic hotels, Cowley Manor, is gearing up to reopen this summer 2023, after undergoing an extensive refurbishment.
The hotel, which was bought by Paris-based Experimental Group in May 2022, has been closed for renovations since January 2023 – with the new owners sharing a first look at the exciting plans for the space.
Taking inspiration from Cowley Manor's sprawling history, the Italianate house has been given a full makeover by designer Dorothée Meilichzon, who has worked on Experimental Group properties across Europe.
Its 31 bedrooms deliver an 'antidote to traditional British countryside design', characterised by graphic fabrics, vibrant colours and stylish rattan furniture, for a super contemporary and luxurious feel.
Guests and diners can look forward to a strong food and beverage offering, too, with chef consultant Jackson Boxer in charge of all things food and drink for the entire property – from the main restaurant and brand-new Experimental Cocktail Club Cotswolds, to luxury room service and refreshments at the spa.
His lovingly-crafted menus champion local produce from the Gloucestershire area, while also nodding to Experimental Group's French heritage.
Led by homegrown produce, the main restaurant menu uses ingredients from the hotel's newly-planted herb and salad garden, as well as local growers – featuring everything from Evesham asparagus with courgette and cucumber; oysters and elderflower Champagne; to crudités from the Cowley Garden; with larger dishes like local, dry-aged côte de boeuf and smoked bone marrow and grilled ChalkStream trout with sorrel butter.
Meanwhile, accompanying a curated drinks menu at the Experimental Cocktail Club Cotswolds, diners can look forward to what's sure to be dubbed the poshest bar menu in Gloucestershire – featuring luxurious dishes like caviar served with Cowley cream and toasted waffles; tarte flambée of local mushrooms; and grilled brioche sandwich of Gloucestershire ham, Double Gloucester cheese and Wiltshire truffles.
Speaking on his appointment as chef consultant, Boxer said: 'I love everything the Experimental Group do, and have always hungered for the chance to put together a really fabulous and unique hotel menu, so when they showed me Cowley Manor I was head over heels.
'The opportunity to synthesise the delicious, modern and inventive cooking of our shared London and Paris homes, with the extraordinary produce and Arcadian beauty of the Cotswolds, is one I am absolutely thrilled to accept.’
Cowley Manor's main restaurant covers 50 diners, with capacity for 50 on the outdoor terrace, too – with plans to serve breakfast, lunch, dinner and afternoon tea.
A one-night stay will start from £250, including breakfast and full access to the spa.
The hotel plans to reopen in summer and while an official launch date is yet to be confirmed, it could be as early as June 2023.
