The Slaughters Manor House

The Slaughters Manor House, a Michelin Key Selected property nestled in the picturesque village of Lower Slaughter in the Cotswolds, offers guests a luxurious and serene escape with its blend of 17th-century charm and contemporary elegance.

1. Overall Rating & Sentiment

The general consensus for The Slaughters Manor House is overwhelmingly positive, with guests frequently rating it as "Very Good" to "Excellent". Booking.com shows a "Very Good" rating of 8.2 based on 310 reviews, with high scores for location (9.3), cleanliness (8.7), comfort (8.6), and staff (8.5). Other platforms also reflect similar high praise, with Hotels.com showing an "Excellent" 8.8 rating and Agoda indicating an average of 8.5 from verified group travelers. The sentiment is consistently that of a delightful and memorable luxury stay.

2. Key Highlights

Guests consistently laud several aspects of The Slaughters Manor House:

• Location: The idyllic and quiet setting in Lower Slaughter, a quintessential Cotswolds village, is a major draw.
• Service & Staff: The staff receives frequent praise for being incredible, friendly, accommodating, attentive, and going "over and above" for guests.
• Design & Ambiance: The beautiful house and grounds, featuring a blend of heritage features like a wood-turned staircase and ornate ceilings with modern touches, create a chic and relaxed atmosphere. Guests enjoy the fine antique decorations, roaring fires, and well-maintained gardens, which include a croquet lawn and tennis court.
• Dining: The superb food, particularly the delicious cooked breakfasts and high-class meals, is a recurring highlight.
• Amenities: Complimentary Wi-Fi and free on-site parking are appreciated conveniences.

3. Room Quality

The 19 bedrooms, split between the main house and a converted stable block, are beautifully furnished and individually designed for luxury and comfort. Rooms in the main house often retain individual styling, while those in the stable block may be more up-to-date. Guests report very comfortable and spacious rooms, with amenities such as flat-screen TVs, electric kettles, and private bathrooms. Some rooms boast luxurious freestanding baths or four-poster beds. Welcome additions include homemade biscuits, mineral water, L'Occitane skincare and bath lotions, slippers, fluffy robes, and Vispring beds. Specific room types range from Classic Double Rooms (291 sq ft/27 sqm) to Suites (431 sq ft/40 sqm) and Garden Rooms (603 sq ft/56 sqm), with some Garden Rooms featuring access to private gardens.

4. Dining Experience

The Slaughters Manor House boasts an award-winning restaurant, Sixteen58, which holds a 3 AA rosette rating. The restaurant features an elegant, modern décor resembling a contemporary orangery, with crisp white table linen complementing original stonework. The skilled chefs create tantalizing menus using high-quality, regionally sourced, and freshly foraged ingredients, with wine selections expertly matched by the sommelier.

Breakfast is highly praised, with guests describing it as "exceptionally delicious" and "top notch," offering a wide range of options including full English, vegetarian, vegan, smoked salmon with scrambled eggs, cereals, fruits, and freshly baked croissants. Special dietary requirements can be catered for. The hotel also offers lunch, dinner, afternoon tea, and lighter bites served in the bar and lounges. Children are welcome in the restaurant until 8:00 PM, with a special "Garden Menu for V.I.L.P" or smaller portions from the adult menu available.

5. Service & Staff

The service and staff at The Slaughters Manor House consistently receive outstanding feedback. Guests frequently describe the team as "friendly," "accommodating," "attentive," and "incredible." Staff members, including specific mentions of Jacky, Sophie, and Jack, are noted for working "over and above" for guests. The hospitality contributes significantly to the relaxed and comfortable vibe of the hotel.

6. Location & Accessibility

The Slaughters Manor House is ideally situated in Lower Slaughter, a beautiful Cotswolds village that offers a quiet and idyllic escape. It is within walking distance of local attractions like The Old Mill Museum and offers easy access to other popular Cotswolds towns such as Upper Slaughter, Bourton-on-the-Water, Stow-on-the-Wold, and Moreton-in-Marsh. The center of Cheltenham is about a 30-minute drive away. Free private parking is available on-site.

For accessibility, the hotel has four ground-floor rooms in the Coach House, one of which (Magnolia) is designed for less-abled access. While the main reception has nine steps, wheelchair access to the restaurant is available via a patio on the right side of the building. Assistance dogs are welcome in the lounges.

7. Value & Pricing

Guests generally perceive The Slaughters Manor House as "a little expensive but worth it." The average room rate has been noted around £258.96 GBP in the past month. While it offers a luxurious stay, it's considered to provide exceptional value for money compared to the average hotel room price in Lower Slaughter. Double rooms start around £230 and include breakfast.

8. Common Complaints

While feedback is largely positive, a few minor recurring issues have been mentioned:

• Breakfast Service: One guest noted that the breakfast experience "could be improved (slow service and just average quality)," although many others praised the breakfast highly.
• Restaurant Closures: The formal restaurant is closed for lunch and dinner on Sundays and Mondays. However, breakfast is still served, and guests can dine at their sister property, The Slaughters Country Inn, just across the road.
• No Streaming Services: One review from late 2023 mentioned the lack of streaming services on the TVs.
• Accessibility for Main Building: The main reception and some lounges in the main building are not wheelchair accessible, requiring alternative routes for dining.
• Pet Restrictions: While pet-friendly, dogs cannot have full hotel access to public areas like the main restaurant or lounges, and giant breeds are not accommodated.

Sources

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2. michelin.com
3. cotswolds.com
4. slaughtersmanor.co.uk
5. booking.com
6. hotels.com
7. agoda.com
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9. muddystilettos.co.uk
10. expedia.co.uk
11. slaughtersmanor.co.uk
12. tablethotels.com
13. theslaughtersinn.co.uk
14. slaughtersmanor.co.uk
15. slaughtersmanor.co.uk
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17. agoda.com