Dormy House Review: Understated Luxury in the Heart of the Cotswolds

Dormy House is one of those rare countryside sanctuaries that captures the very essence of understated luxury. A chocolate box hotel nestled in the heart of the Cotswolds within the sprawling 500-acre Farncombe Estate, it’s the sort of place where time slows, and that refined understated comfort is captured in every detail. 

Our experience began the moment we arrived, as we were greeted not only by the charming pumpkin-lined entrance steps, but also by the welcome sight of complimentary EV chargers. After a two-hour journey from Devon, this thoughtful touch immediately set the tone. With three chargers available, the process was blissfully simple – no fussing with apps or QR codes, just plug in and relax!

Inside, the ambience was warm and cocooning. It’s the kind of country casual elegance that makes you exhale instantly forgetting about work, the daily juggle and the world beyond. The flickering roaring fire in the entrance hall set the mood perfectly, casting a golden glow over inviting sofas, leather armchairs and plump scatter cushions. 

The Award-Winning House Spa 

Arriving early, we made a beeline for the House Spa. It’s an indulgent retreat with a Scandi-style thermal suite that exudes tranquillity from the moment you step inside. Designed with natural textures and a soothing interior, it features a sauna and steam room, invigorating snow room and tropical rain shower, alongside a serene indoor infinity pool and warm outdoor hydrotherapy pool framed within a private terrace. 

Loungers line the poolside, inviting you to drift off between dips, while attentive staff ensure towels are replenished regularly and every space remains pristine. We spent two blissful hours in the spa, feeling cocooned in a world of calm – a place where wellness and relaxation is at the heart.

The six treatment rooms are softly lit sanctuaries where expert therapists work with gorgeous Temple Spa products and Proverb treatment ranges to soothe and restore the mind, body and soul from rejuvenating facials to exfoliating body scrubs.

The Greenhouse Spa Cafe offers the perfect interlude to enjoy light bites or a soothing drink in your spa robes, truly embracing that carefree, laidback spa vibe. 

We wished we had packed our gym gear, as the House Spa also includes a state-of-the-art fitness suite, fully equipped with cardio machines and weights, which looked amazing! 

The Loft Room Suite

After drifting away for a few hours in the spa, our room was ready, and we were delighted to discover that our room had been upgraded to The Loft Room suite. 

It’s beautiful rustic charm made for a spacious hideaway that felt both luxurious and wonderfully homely. Think vaulted ceilings, soft lighting, and rustic beams paired with contemporary finishes. The space unfolds into a cosy open-plan lounge and sleeping area complete with a complimentary mini-bar, two televisions, and underfloor heating that keeps things toasty underfoot. A real feature on the opposite side to the lounge area is the tin roll-top freestanding bath.

The bathroom itself was a real highlight too with his and hers basins – sleek and indulgent, and stocked with divine Temple Spa goodies. Every element was a lovely consideration from the plush robes and soft lighting to the curated mini bar stocked with delicious drinks and snacks, and even the magazine selection was paired perfectly, all touches thoughtfully woven together to create a wonderful experience.

The soft, luxurious bedding on our spacious king-size bed, and that glorious tower of three perfectly plumped pillows looked incredibly enticing. Having had a busy month, we were sure we’d have the dreamiest of sleeps and we weren’t wrong.

Dormy House delivers effortless luxury. It’s not showy or overdone, but warm and intimate. Whether you’re sinking into a deep hot bath in your suite, sipping wine by the fire in one of the lounges, or breathing in the crisp Cotswold air from the hydrotherapy pool, this is a place that soothes the soul and reminds you how beautiful slowing down can be.

The Back Garden

We couldn’t wait to dine in the main restaurant. The large glass windows give you that sense of connectivity with nature and overlooks the well-manicured garden. The intimate lighting creates a relaxed ambiance and seeing the delicious dishes come out made our appetite even bigger. We had already perused the menu so knew exactly what we wanted to order! No hanging around for us. 

There was no contest, the Stokes Marsh Farm beef wellington, Stinking Bishop dauphinoise potatoes and peppercorn sauce to share is what we chose for the main event, so laid off the breads, to leave enough room! 

We began our dining experience with the crispy filo prawns with seaweed and the Paddock Farm scotch egg, which were a delightful combination that left a lasting impression of perfectly balanced flavours. 

Between courses, we savoured a crisp white wine thoughtfully chosen by our attentive waiter, soaking up the warm, relaxed atmosphere as an array of mouth-watering dishes drifted past to other tables, each one more tempting and preparing us for our main event.

The beef Wellington was absolutely exceptional! It was tender, rich, and honestly the best I’ve ever had. It was carved right in front of us, which made it feel even more special, and the combination of the buttery, cheesy dauphinoise potatoes and perfectly cooked beef was pure heaven. The vegetables added just the right balance, giving a welcome breather between each indulgent bite.

By the time we’d finished, we were completely defeated in the best possible way, and we simply couldn’t manage another bite. As tempting as the dessert menu looked, we had to admit defeat this time though it gives us the perfect excuse to come back and sample them next time!

After a much-needed lie-in, we made our way back to The Back Garden for breakfast. Having read that they’d been awarded the prestigious 4 Red Star Award: Inspector’s Choice, along with a Breakfast Award, our expectations were high and we couldn’t wait to see what all the fuss was about!

I must admit I’m a creature of habit when it comes to cooked breakfasts and when I saw The Full Dormy option with field mushrooms, hash browns and baked beans, I was sold! Served with soft, buttery sourdough toast and a refreshing berry smoothie, it was the perfect fuel for our trip back home and such a great start to our day.

Final Thoughts

Dormy House doesn’t try too hard — it doesn’t need to.

If you’re craving a countryside escape that blends effortless luxury with homely charm, Dormy House is the perfect place to press pause and truly unwind. Whether it’s a romantic weekend, a spa retreat with friends, or simply some well-deserved time to recharge, this Cotswold sanctuary will leave you refreshed, restored, and already planning your next visit.