Cowley Manor Experimental

We had an amazing spa day as a group of 5 ladies for my birthday treat. We arrived at Cowley and walked the grounds first which was a great start to the day. We then went down to the spa, Charlotte and Ellie at reception couldn’t have made us feel more relaxed and made sure our day ran smoothly. The spa was very clean, tidy and peaceful! Olivia gave me the best back massage I’ve ever had, it was incredible!

It’s hard to put into words how disappointing our spa visit was. This is barely a spa. It’s two pools and a higgledy piggledy shop/reception with an extremely weird assortment of things and a changing room so small that we had to wait for our turn to enter and dry off/change because it was crammed with about 5 women. There are literally over 40 lockers but space for 3 to sit down. Crazy. Our biggest disappointment was the terrible attitude of the space staff. Worst I have ever encountered. From the moment we walked in they made it clear us being there was a huge inconvenience. Ordering food was an inconvenience. Ordering drinks a pain. Four young ladies standing around giggling and gossiping and yet the photos I attach shows you the appalling state of the bathroom. No towels collected, no hand towels replaced. Finger marks everywhere and gross shower area. Never has there been a place I’ve been so hyped about and been SO let down. What a waste of time and money :(

The design is utterly beautiful and simultaneously completely impractical the place is so dark you can’t read in your room. There is no plug by a mirror. The kettle has to be plugged in on the far side of the room. It’s a triumph of style over substance. The staff are great and the grounds gorgeous. The food was good at dinner and mediocre at breakfast. Could be perfect if they reviewed the lighting and electrical circuits - the staff said it’s a frequent complaint so it needs sorting. Whoever messed up the symmetry with this mirror/TV arrangement please think again!

I’ve reviewed Cowley before, having first visited when I was 18 (almost 23 years ago!). I got married there, my big brother had his 40th birthday celebration there. We stayed there for my mums 60th. In short it was the go-to for my family to celebrate our special occasions. The refurb is (in my humble opinion) utterly ghastly: rather than nod to its ‘Alice in Wonderland’ heritage, it is relentlessly themed by it. From the carpets to the stencil work in the bedrooms, there is no escape. We get it. Alice in Wonderland was written here. The onslaught of checkerboard and wicker picnic themed furniture is overkill. Furthermore, after 23 years as a paying guest, I noticed several influencers such as Lucy Williams moping miserably about, sharing filtered images on Instagram as free #pressstay guests. Not cool. I think I’m done.

We went to Cowley Manor for afternoon tea (only). As many people have noted, the grounds are beautiful and the decor of the hotel is an eclectic mix of stately home with modern furnishings giving the hotel a unique quirky atmosphere. The price of the afternoon tea was typical of 'posh hotel' and the spread was very nice but we were very disappointed with the quality of the English Breakfast tea which was very weak and tasteless and we had to ask for extra teabags with each pot of tea we had. Even that did not bring the brew up to the strength it should have done. Personally I would have prefered my tea to be served in bone china cups because the tea got cold quite quickly.

I was excited to go back after the refurbishment, having had a great time previously. We had to wait for the girl on the spa reception to finish her chat before acknowledging us. We were given some forms and told to take a seat. The spa was filled with children who were running riots. We were told when booking the arrival drink was tea or coffee, so we ordered a coffee and was told the coffee machine was broken so could only have herbal tea. So we were not off to a good start. Then off to get changed where the girl said there would be towels and flip flops already in the locker. Only one of us had a locker with this in. So we had to interrupt the receptionists chat to get those. The facilities have not been refurbished, and the steam room smelt so bad we couldn't bear to use it. Indoor pool is lovely, but it needs a bit of music or something. Cups and mugs and towels were left throughout the whole morning. Treatments we had booked for the same time as per my confirmation. We sat waiting, two of my friends went through, and I sat there, so I asked and was told my treatment was 30 minutes later. I queried this, and she said the manager had moved it some time ago. There was an apology that I hadn't been informed but added to the already there frustration. The treatment itself was amazing, my therapist really listened to what I wanted and delivered(sorry I forgot your name, brown hair and glasses, but you really do deserve credit) in fact, all of us were blown away by the treatments. Although, you can hear absolutely everything from the treatment room. could hear the same girl from the desk, noise from the gym and every time someone opened the changing room. As this was a treat for a friend we did not make a fuss, we paid and went for lunch earlier than planned. We went through to the hotel, where the receptionist was busy looking at her mobile over helping us. We made our own way to the restaurant. I did absolutely love the decor in the main hotel and that felt as though it really transformed. Lunch was great, service was excellent. We didn't get any names, but everyone who served us was fabulous. Things were on the look up! We decided to stay in the bar and lounge area for our coffee, finally! We really eally enjoyed the atmosphere up there. Overall, I wouldn't go back to the spa, the expierience of the spa itself wasn't relaxing or luxury. I can't wait to go back for lunch.

I booked myself and my daughter a spa day for valentines and had a lovely day. We were greeted by The receptionist who was lovely and very accommodating, she gave us robes and our locker key where we found towels and flip flops. The changing rooms were very clean with lovely products to use. The inside and outside pool was heated and we enjoyed some time relaxing with a coffee before our treatments. I then had a back massage and my daughter had a hydro collagen facial which we were both very impressed with. The ladies doing our treatments were lovely and we both got exactly what we asked for from the consultation. After having such a relaxing morning we then went to the hotel for lunch and champagne where we enjoyed the views. Food was lovely and the bar staff were very helpful and cheerful. Overall we had a wonderful day and would definitely rebook again. Margaret G

We had an excellent afternoon tea on Saturday! The service (from our waitress Amy and colleagues) was impeccable, nothing was too much trouble. The toasties and rolls were tasty, and the sweet treats were just that! The grounds are lovely, with lakes, swans and cascades. The furniture is eclectic/interesting. We would happily return!