Our guest Pet Inspectors Daisy and Lemmy recently took a trip to two of the De Vere Group’s wonderful dog-friendly hotels, at Cotswolds Water Park and Tortworth Court in Gloucestershire.
From gorgeous lakeside view rooms to grand country estates, these doggy detectives have reported back on everything you need to know for your next hound holiday. Read on to find out how the De Vere hotels will get your dog’s tail wagging!
De Vere Cotswolds Water Park
Where? Gloucestershire
Price: From £169pn
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Guest Pet Inspector: Daisy the Cocker Spaniel
The Hotel
How far are the dog-friendly rooms from the outside?
Each room has its own balcony which opens up to a communal decking area, overlooking the stunning lake. It was super easy for us to take Daisy out for a quick run around – the balcony door opens out onto the decking which you can follow round to a grass area on the banks of the lake.
Are the grounds enclosed? Can pets be let off the lead?
The grounds aren’t necessarily enclosed – you have to be careful with the lake as water-loving pups may fancy a quick dip and jump right in! Dogs are advised to remain on their leads in the grounds.
What doggy extras (dog bed/bowl/treats) were provided?
The hotel kindly provided a dog bed, bowl and doggy treats which Daisy loved! These were all in the room waiting for us upon our arrival. The hotel staff also offered us another doggy treat when we walked through reception for evening walkies!
Can you dine with your dog?
Yes, furry friends aren’t allowed in the main restaurant (the Brasserie) but we were able to dine together in the lovely bar area, which had a really chilled vibe. There were plenty of seating options, Daisy just laid down beside our table and received a lot of attention from the hotel guests! At breakfast time the chef kindly offered Daisy a sausage which she devoured in seconds.
Is the same menu served in the dog-friendly dining area?
Yes, you can order from exactly the same menu in the bar which we thought was a huge plus.
Where are dogs allowed in public areas?
Daisy was allowed everywhere with us apart from the restaurant and the spa.
Were the staff friendly?
The staff were so welcoming to both us and Daisy. They made a huge fuss of her on arrival, getting lots of strokes! The hotel manager made a point of coming out whilst we were eating our breakfast to say hello to Daisy. She was a very popular girl! The lovely staff at reception also gave us a leaflet of the best dog walks in the area which was super useful.
Food (Fit for Humans)
- What’s the average price of a 3-course meal per person?
Around £75 in total without drinks. With drinks, it would be around £100, so roughly £50 per head. - How would you rate the quality of the food?
The food was lovely! Between us, we ordered the prawn cocktail and calamari for starters, and for mains, we had the house burger and the salmon fillet – all absolutely delicious. Unfortunately, they were all out of steaks when we came down to eat, but the kind barman recommended the next best things on the menu! For dessert, we shared a melt in the middle chocolate pudding, which was to die for! - Were there good dietary requirements options?
There were a number of fabulous sounding vegetarian/vegan dishes! The waiter assured us that they were able to cook up each dish based on any dietary requirements that we had, too.
Are there things to do on a rainy day?
There was a wonderful looking spa which you could see from the entrance as you walk up to the hotel, but unfortunately, we did not have enough time to use the facilities as we were only there for one night.
The Area
Are there any dog-friendly walks in the area?
- From the door
The lakes are practically on your doorstep, you can even access the trails from your very own balcony! We went on a lovely stroll around the water park, it was so peaceful and quiet, and the views were simply stunning. Daisy loved sniffing around, pottering along the banks of the lake, and winding through the woodland area that surrounds the lakes. There are a variety of different routes and paths you can take – the walking options around the water park are incredible! It’s a true doggy paradise.
- Short drive
There are plenty of great places for walkies in Gloucestershire. Cirencester, a lovely roman town just a short 10-minute drive away, is well worth a visit. You can also go to the very start of the River Thames at the ‘Thames Head’, and follow a picturesque walking route down the river. - Popular dog walks
The water park itself is, without a doubt, the best place to take furry friends on a walk! It’s absolutely huge – with 180 lakes spread over 42 square miles, full of amazing wildlife and boasting some of the most gorgeous views in the Cotswolds.
How many other dogs were in the hotel at the time?
We saw two other dogs throughout the duration of our stay, both of which came and said hello to Daisy.
Are there any pubs or shops nearby?
The hotel bar and lakeside cafe were both really nice, particularly the lakeside cafe – we sat out and watched the sunset over the lakes, it was so pretty! We didn’t need to leave the hotel grounds because they had everything we needed, but should you want to explore other pubs/shops/attractions it would be a short car ride or taxi ride away as there wasn’t much that was within walking distance from the hotel, apart from the water park itself.
Are there good transport links?
Yes, it’s very accessible by car, or by train then taxi.
Overall ratings:
- Room cleanliness: 5/5
- Staff service level: 5/5
- Food: 4/5
- Dog-friendliness: 5/5
De Vere Tortworth Court
Where? Gloucestershire
Price: From £175pn
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Guest Pet Inspector: Lemmy the Staffordshire Bull Terrier
The Hotel
How far are the dog-friendly rooms from outside?
Following a bit of a walk through the hotel (which was a lovely opportunity to explore the hotel), we had a lovely large ground floor room and were fortunate to have direct access to the outside. We shared a grassy courtyard with a couple of other PetsPyjamas customers and there were plenty of poop bins, which was very handy.
Are the grounds enclosed? Can pets be let off the lead?
Whilst our courtyard wasn’t enclosed, there were plenty of other areas on the stunning grounds that were enclosed. We had total peace of mind that Lemmy was safe at all times.
What doggy extras (dog bed/bowl/treats) were provided?
Lemmy received a lovely warm welcome from the reception staff as soon as she arrived and we were very lucky to have a bed and bowl in our room for her. The staff were very friendly and had doggy treats to hand at all times!
Can you dine with your dog?
Whilst Lemmy wasn’t permitted in the main restaurant, Lemmy ate with us in the atrium, a beautiful tall room with a glass roof and twinkling fairy lights as it gets dark. It had a really good menu selection and the bar staff were very attentive. Again, Lemmy was spoilt by the staff working and was offered a bowl of water and treats as soon as she arrived.
For breakfast, the front of house manager offered to wrap up a sausage from the very well stocked buffet, which was a super lovely gesture.
Where are dogs allowed in public areas?
Lemmy was allowed to explore the whole hotel apart from the main restaurant and spa. No gardens or outdoor space was off-limits, which served us perfectly for photo opportunities!
Is the same menu served in the dog-friendly dining area?
The food in the atrium is more casual than in the main restaurant, so it was nice to have the choice. We tried both daily and we couldn’t fault the food in either. The drinks selection was also extensive and if you ask nicely, the knowledgeable bar staff might make you a special ‘off the menu’ cocktail!
Were the staff friendly?
Everyone was so welcoming of Lemmy. From the moment we checked in, until the moment we (sadly) had to check out, all staff ensured she was treated like a little princess! It was nice talking to other PetsPyjamas customers on their holiday as they also had the same experience as us, plus the majority of staff had their own dogs, so it was nice to connect with them over our mutual love for our canine companions.
Food (Fit for Humans)
- What’s the average price of a 3-course meal per person?
Around £80 without drinks. With alcoholic beverages, it could be closer to £100, but they have a nice set menu for those looking for a good deal. - How would you rate the quality of the food?
We couldn’t fault the food. The quality of the local produce was as good as I’ve had in any top restaurant in London, and it was all cooked to perfection!
The breakfast buffet was very fresh and the chef was on hand to cook eggs to your liking. I was also impressed by the automatic pancake machine creating perfectly fluffy pancakes at the push of a button!
A highlight for me was the steak, which was beautifully marbled and juicy, and I was able to take some wrapped back for Lemmy, who was relaxing in our room following a romp around the historic grounds.
Are there things to do on a rainy day?
I highly recommend the spa and sauna room. They were all spotlessly clean and it felt very private. There are many little nooks and crannies to sit in around the hotel to curl up with a glass of wine, a good book and fido in tow.
The Area
Are there any dog-friendly walks in the area?
- From the door
The 30-acre estate is simply stunning and it’s difficult to leave. We were perfectly happy sitting in their manicured garden overlooking fields whilst enjoying their afternoon tea in the sun. Bliss! - Short drive
When we did go roaming for the day, however, we visited nearby Stroud to sample some authentic Cotswolds pubs and visit the boutique shops. - Popular dog walks
We really enjoyed the Painswick Beacon walk as recommended by the community on Walkiees.com
How many other dogs were in the hotel at the time?
We met at least four other dogs during our stay, all were incredibly well behaved and Lemmy grew rather fond of her new friend Rocco, a Miniature Pinscher puppy. It was really nice to see other dog owners treating their doggy friends to a holiday!
Are there any pubs or shops nearby?
There is a quaint little town about one mile away, Charfield, and it has a couple of cosy pubs and a food shop with all the usual provisions. We found that we didn’t need to leave as De Vere Tortworth had everything we required (and more!)
Is there good transport links?
Yate railway station is approximately a 20-minute taxi ride away and the taxis are frequent. We were travelling by car from north London and it was an easy 15 mins from the M5 and overall a really enjoyable drive.
Overall ratings:
- Room cleanliness: 5/5
- Staff service level: 5/5
- Food: 5/5
- Dog-friendliness: 4/5
Do you want to be a Pet Inspector?
We love listening to our customers share their experiences with us, so we wanted to give YOU access to our platform by becoming one of our guest Pet Inspectors.
As a PetsPyjamas Pet Inspector, you will be asked to create a report on your holiday, including how dog-friendly your room is, the local doggy walks/attractions in the area and any other tidbits or information.
Your Pet Inspector report will then be published on our Magazine referencing you and your best furry friend, and used in future marketing activities. All published contributors will be gifted a £25 PetsPyjamas Travel Voucher to use on their next holiday.
How to apply
Simply fill out the questions by clicking on our Pet Inspectors Application form below to apply to be a PetsPyjamas Pet Inspector!