Had a very enjoyable stay in Coworth Park over the weekend. The room was beautiful, the grounds spectacular and my girlfriend really enjoyed her horse ride, which unfortunately I couldn't go on as they didn't have size 13 shoes available. Service was very, very good and probably the best I've ever experienced out in the English countryside.

Unfortunately I can't agree with the comments above about the food, in particular The Barn, as we thought it was like pub food, but with Mayfair prices. But boy did they take feedback seriously. One of the receptionists asked what we thought and we said we didn't enjoy The Barn and before we knew it the Hotel Manager was talking to us and even emailed a few hours after our departure to apologise for that and other points that were just minor pieces of feedback. The meal was fully comped just based on us making a passing comment. As we didn't want fine dining, we ended up eating in their main restaurant and by the 3rd meal had ran out of things to eat, so ended up having sandwiches for dinner. Chewton Glen had such a superior food product that it was almost incomparable, but unlike Chewton, the clientele at Coworth aren't so old they only go on about how bad things were during the war, so there is that in their favour.

Having said that, I'm not sure I'd go back again in a hurry, as to me a countryside resort is an amazing spa and great food and Coworth didn't offer either. I thought it was a shame that with all their space, they didn't offer more facilities at the spa, especially to help reduce the crowds. Their pool is so shallow it was was clearly designed for children (who are allowed 9 > 11 and 4 > 5:30), but for such a child friendly resort I'd have thought they would have a separate pool and leave the adults in peace, as seeing it get close to 4 and knowing you had to leave to maintain sanity wasn't my favourite moment. It's also completely separated from the main building, so getting there involves going over and getting changed, which is quite the contrast to the spontaneity of it being a quick walk in your robe.

I think it's an amazing property, but given the choice, I would pick Chewton again.