Minster Mill
Minster Lovell, Oxfordshire, United Kingdom
This quintessentially English inn and adjoining mill seamlessly blend the rural charm of these historic buildings with modern design and luxurious comforts. Though its golden stone exterior and heavy timber beams might lead one to believe this venerable inn has been here for centuries, it's actually a new luxury hotel in one of the Cotswolds' most exquisite villages. On the banks of the River Windrush, Minster Mill is ensconced within 65 acres of gardens, wildflower meadows and woodlands, just steps from the famous Cotswold Way National Trail.
The inn's airy interior is decidedly contemporary, spare in decor and flooded with natural light through generous windows. While all guest rooms feature design-forward details, no two are alike. Each has a distinctive combination of fabrics, lighting and furniture with mid-century modern flair. The restaurant features vaulted ceilings, original oak beams and an inviting fireplace. It's headed by a nationally acclaimed chef who fuses contemporary and traditional British cooking with a local twist, utilizing seasonal ingredients from artisan producers and fresh vegetables from the inn's abundant gardens. In summer, guests may dine outside on the terrace or in the gardens. The Mill Bar, set in a high gallery overlooking the restaurant, offers a casual setting for enjoying fine wines and classic cocktails.
Guests who arrive early can enjoy some of the inn's many leisure pastimes: manicured lawns offer space for croquet, badminton and boules, while a mile of private fishing bank courts anglers. Play tennis or table tennis, hire a classic Pashley bicycle to explore country lanes, or rejuvenate in the Garden Spa: along with an indoor heated plunge pool, shed your travel stress in the poolside rock sauna, sensory aroma steam room, ice fountain and tropical rain forest showers.