The Bay Tree Hotel
The Bay Tree Hotel descritpion
An enchanting Cotswold retreat in the picturesque town of Burford, few could resist the rustic charm of this 16th century residence, whether it is for a vacation, business trip or special occasion.
The Bay Tree is steeped in history and awash with character, from the foundations of its mellow stone walls - clad with pinkish-purple wisteria blooms - to its wooden beam rafters. Oak-paneled public rooms, bare stone walls and original stone fireplaces, including an inglenook fireplace, provide a textured canvas upon which rich fabrics, woven tapestries and antiques have been laid down with exquisite flair.
For your relaxation, you can select a good book from the hotel library, sink back into a comfortable chair and allow the stresses of everyday life to gradually seep away in front of a roaring log fire. In the summer months, the tranquility of the walled gardens make for a relaxing haven where you can enjoy a refreshing drink on a warm evening.
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Facilities of The Bay Tree Hotel
Outdoors ：Grounds
Pets ：Pets are allowed on request. Charges may apply.
Food & Drink ：Restaurant | Bar
Internet ：Free!WiFi is available in all areas and is free of charge.
Parking ：Free!Free private parking is available on site (reservation is not needed). | Public parking is available at a location nearby (reservation is not needed) and costs GBP 3 per day.
Services ：Dry Cleaning | Meeting/Banquet Facilities | Fax/Photocopying
Reviews for The Bay Tree Hotel
Review 1：I asked for milk to drink with our tea. None appeared and so I had to go and ask again. The bed my wife had to sleep on was broken and as a result she did not sleep well. I was promised the manager would ring me about this today but he has not done so.
Review 2：The decor of the room. The food and the service in the restaurant.
Review 3：Some of the serving staff are not particularly welcoming and a bit officious which detracts from the charm. Whether it be rather curtly refusing to serve dinner due to being a few minutes after the 2130hrs deadline, whisking plates away before being finished, or reluctantly bringing a single glass of orange juice (there were two of us...) to breakfast after the buffet had been cleared. Whilst some staff were delightful (reception for eg) on the whole it was sloppy service reluctantly delivered.
Review 4：Great location, nice comfy clean rooms, log fire adorned cosy and extensive bar/restaurant area.
Review 5：We could only stay for one night ! And in that time there were no issues at all. Oh, the portion of scrambled egg with the salmon was small and dry.
Review 6：We had a garden room which was warm and spotless. It was a good size and had a lovely view out across the garden. We needed for nothing in the room.
Review 7：experienced an accident whilst visiting the bathroom - fell down two steps which resulted in fractured hip and stay in hospital
Review 8：staff we attentive and food was excellent
Review 9：Subdued lighting in the bar made it difficult to read the menu; even younger people found this a problem
Review 10：Lovely hotel, good location off high street, extensive parking, very good food, helpful staff. Very restful place for a weekend break
Review 11：the staff were not friendly, our room was not sound-proof and we heard our neighbours discussions. We paid extra for a "garden room" and we could not open the doors to the juliet balcony, don't waste your money.
Review 12：the hotel was quaint, there was on-site parking.
Review 13：We wanted a quiet, comfortable hotel and that's what we got. The staff were all very attentive and the food was excellent. We would happily return.
Review 14：The Location was just perfect, the room was of the highest standard and so tastefully decorated could not fault the place, a wonderful few days relaxing .
Review 15：The hotel was beautiful and our room had plenty of character, it was very clean and comfortable, all the staff were very friendly and polite. The best night sleep we've had in Burford, no noisy traffic a big plus.
Review 16：The staff were very helpful and we were made very welcome. The room was quiet, clean and comfortable - if a little warm! phew! - and we slept well. We had a family meal the night before which was nicely done in the conservatory and the food was OK.
Review 17：Delightful hotel and helpful staff. On arrival we easily parked in their large car park and had a delicious afternoon tea infront of the log fire. The room was very comfortable and the generous breakfast served in a lovely setting. Would highly recommend this hotel for a special treat!
Review 18：The breakfast was very disappointing, items listed on menu in the bedroom were not visible on buffet table and despite numerous requests were not delivered...Bay Tree muesli, Dorset muesli, fresh fruit....
Review 19：The hotel is a beautiful old building and decorated very tastefully. A lovely library suitable for relaxing with friends before and after dinner.
Review 20：Nothing.
Review 21：The hotel is beautiful with an excellent location and a perfect pick for an english countryside "Cotswolds experience". The staff are fantastic and friendly. Room was beautiful - country chic and very cosy. I would recommend to everyone.
Review 22：Having to use a wifi system that was only accessible if you agreed to have further information (sales pitches!) emailed to you from the supplier.
Review 23：Friendly helpful staff, great character hotel. Would highly recommend to friends.
Review 24：I didn't like paying a service charge for dinner i would have preferred to leave a tip based on service
Review 25：The staff were friendly, and the breakfast was excellent, the bed was cĺean and comfortable
Review 26：The twin room was badly in need of refurbishment - particularly the bathroom which steamed up due to no extraction
Review 27：Good car parking. Nice quiet location. Nice cosy rooms. The twin room (Cedar) was altogether better than the twin (Ash)
Review 28：From entering the Hotel we were welcomed with a smile and this from the staff continued during our stay. The bedrooms were excellent in every respect,clean,comfortable one may almost say opulent. The food was extremely good ,the breakfasts particularly enjoyable. Lastly the facilities were second to none.
Review 29：Were "upgraded" from Garden Room to Old Justice. The layout of the room was very bad. The settee was at right angles to the TV and too close. The bed was too high. On the first night it had a winter weight duvet and was too hot. The duvet was replaced with a blanket and sheet. The bed was then made up with the blanket at the bottom and sheet on top. The bath had mould all around the bath sealant and the sides of the bath. There was mould on the top corner of a wall. One ceiling bulb in the bathroom goes out after around half to three quarters of an hour then comes on again after 10 to 15 mins. Could be overheating, requires investigation.The room needs a complete refurb. Light over room entrance steps not working. Room entrance area never swept. Pork served in bar was inedible and poached eggs rock hard. Food generally good but not to standard one would expect at a hotel such as the Bay Tree.
Review 30：The staff were excellent, polite, well trained and friendly. The manager did all he was able to do to put matters right. The decor in all public rooms is to high standard. The garden is wonderful. Nothing could be better than breakfast on the patio. The location in the historic town of Burford is just right.
Review 31：The tomato juice in the bar was bad but immediately replaced by a glass from a fresh batch. O
Review 32：Very helpful and friendly receptionist. Private parking. Nice room with good supply of teas and coffees.
Review 33：We had toast with breakfast and it was dry and cheap and one pice had mild on it. sadly no apology from the head waiter!
Review 34：We have been several times and the food and service is very good. The dining room and bar a brighter and the upgrades to decor all works. We visited the garden at the back as the weather was so good and it's lovely and calm
Review 35：English breakfast pre-cooked & lukewarm. Complained & got another breakfast but still the same-very disappointing. Partner had eggs royale which was very good.
Review 36：Beautiful room with most comfortable bed. Evening meal excellent.
Review 37：Very expensive, food not to standard for price, cooked breakfast very poor, main dinner small portions and could have been cooked better.
Review 38：Great location, nice hotel, friendly staff.
Review 39：I thought the food in the bar was dire. I chose light, cold food, a ham terrine, still very chilled, chicken terrine OK, a cold plate of heated camembert with crudites which, apart from the carrot sticks was horrible, consisting of perfectly OK olives, a large portion of capers and damp bread. Not proper crudites and basically pretty nasty. I did have a good rocket salad with grated parmesan, but only ate in the bar because I was tired - not an experience to repeat.
Review 40：I liked the welcome, the helpful staff, the beautiful garden, the nice library and lots of space in bedroom and bathroom.
Review 41：Just got back from a one night stay the 13th of june we had an exellent meal in the restaurant and a very good breakfast we really enjoyed our stay here and the staff were all excellent
Review 42：This is minor, but the shower was very underpowered, just a slightly more than a mist
Review 43：The concierge moved us from our first room, (which was dated and musty smelling), to a newly updated room, which was fantastic. We had dinner in the restaurant, and the food was great and staff were very attentive.
Review 44：1. Poor Wi-fi 2. 4-poster bed in 'Beech' was VERY high - difficulty getting in and out 3. No bathroom privacy - French glass door with no curtain. However, wardrobe adjacent had curtains on the inside of the French doors??
Review 45：Breakfast Library Log fire places throughout
Review 46：Room rate (£205) very overpriced Our room was in "the cottage" away from the main building - unfortunately seemed to be over a generator making a humming noise from 8am-11pm
Review 47：Great location - beautiful side street in best Cotswolds village
Review 48：Beautiful presentation, gardens, restaurant for dinner and breakfast. Fantastic service from all the staff. So much history, perfect place to stay to explore the surrounding area.
Review 49：You have to open an account to get wifi. After filling in the form and correcting all errors marked , it either does not respond or say you have timed out. We have tried a few times and there is no improvement . Also there is renovation work in the room next to us ( I think one of the two rooms sharing the same staircase). There is inevitably dust and sme and workmen going up and down with us Would have expected to receive a warning or a discount.
Review 50：The location and the decor.
Review 51：The wifi was flakey to say the least and unfortunately this is a major requirement for me when on weekend breaks to keep in touch with business.
Review 52：Food was outstanding.
Review 53：The amount of stairs my mother had to climb to room - my mother is 83 yrs old. No offer was made to accommodate us on a lower floor.
Review 54：I loved the huge selection at breakfast !!
Review 55：We opted to eat in the bar as opposed to the dining room and feel there should have been a cheaper menu for the bar. We felt that the prices were high for very small portions.
Review 56：The rooms were spacious and really well appointed. Beds were comfy and we loved the character of the place.
Review 57：Please fix the chimney in the wine bar-very smoky. Otherwise great.
Review 58：Lovely, quaint rooms. Good wine bar. Restaurant good, decent and varied selection of well priced wine.
Review 59：The bar areas were "out of action" due to lots of work being done (hence the lower rating for facilities) - this will obviously be fine when completed but one group of friends were above the early morning noise from workmen. Losing the bar areas would have been more of a problem if the weather had been bad. The restaurant evening meal was not particularly good, even fillet steak. However, beautiful burgers, fish and chips etc when dined at lunchtime and were given a table in the restaurant due to lack of bar area.
Review 60：Burford is a beautiful place to stay and this hotel is right in the centre just off the main street. Lovely individual bedrooms and dining room. Staff all very friendly and helpful. Very good breakfast and the food we had at lunchtime - Fish and chips, lovely homemade burgers etc were excellent.
Review 61：Bathrobes were not as clean as they should have been. Bathroom looked somewhat tired in Ash room.
Review 62：All members of staff were courteous, pleasant and helpful. Position of hotel is superb. Ample parking available.Wonderful toiletries by Molton Brown ay your disposal in your room.
Review 63：Such an old building can look tired/scruffy very easily, and it did. Meal portions were provocatively small.
Review 64：The staff were excellent, physically the place was lovely. Meals were very good
Review 65：There was no real ale in the bar. For God's sake get rid of the horrendous wooden key ring attachment! Almost one foot in size it's awful. Which customers would EVER appreciate such a monstrosity? This is a test to see if you REALLY care about customer feedback!
Review 66：I liked the country feel. The bedroom overlooking the garden was great. Enjoyed my meal too.
Review 67：The underneath of the en suite lavatory seat had not been cleaned and the décor in the dining room was out of character with the rest of the building. Elephants and palm trees in a Cotswold stone building. I ask you! The service at breakfast was slow.
Review 68：Overall ambience, location and log fires! staff friendliness. Warmth.
Review 69：My room was quite cold (but there was a heater provided) and the shower was not very powerful at all :-(
Review 70：The food, the restaurant, the fires and the bed in my room! The staff are very friendly and helpful and the finishing touches really added a touch of home comfort
Review 71：REFURBISHMENT OF DINING ROOM MEANT EATING MEALS IN THE CONSERVATORY. COUD PUT UP WITH THAT, BUT KITCHENS OF THE LAMB NEXT DOOR CLOSED SO ALL THEIR GUESTS HAD TO EAT IN THE BAY TREE. POOR PROJECT MANAGEMENT BY PARENT COMPANY TO HAVE BOTH AT THE SAME TIME,AND NO EXTRA REDUCTIONS TO COMPENSATE FOR THE JOINT DISRUPTION
Review 72：ROOM,STAFF,ATMOSPHERE, PRIVATE OFF STREET PARKING,LOG FIRES AND OLDWORLD INTERIOR IN LOUNGES/BARTS.
Review 73：There was nothing we didn't like
Review 74：Everything. We were on a 3-day break to ceelbrate my wife's birthday and one of our daughters had upgraded us to a Superior Garden Room and treated to us to a slap-up 3 course meal in the Conservatory Restaurant on the first evening.Smashing!!
Review 75：Room was excellent overlooking a garden. It was roomy, stylishly furnished and bed was very comfortable. Bathroom facilities were dated but fitted in with decor and worked well. Dining and bar facilities were excellent and staff were well trained and very helpful. Yes, a little pricey but great location in a wonderful Cotswold village.
Review 76：Attitude of one member of staff at our second breakfast. We did report it and were compensated but it was a great shame nevertheless.
Review 77：Staff were very willing and always helpful
Review 78：There was only one thing we didn't like. When we came back to the hotel at around 11 pm and asked the guy at the front desk about working hours of the bar, he said that it's open 24 hrs for the guests. So we decided to stay there for a couple of drinks, cause we're on vacation, but it was pretty cold outside to go to any other local bar. We were absolutely alone in the whole room, yet the front-desk guy came in to ask if we need something else from time to time. He seemed nice and friendly, until we noticed that at some point he just started literally staring at us. He kept looking at us and listening to our conversation for 10-15 minutes until we finished our second drinks and left that bar, cause it was too creepy. We realized that he just needed some sleep and that's how he was trying to let us know about it, but it was unfair to state that the bar's open 24 hrs when it's technically not.
Review 79：Perfect location, good stuff and cozy clean room. Even it seemed a little bit outdated, I found it very charming.
Review 80：Dinner was a little dissappointing - the food did not live up to the description on the menu and was under seasoned. My husband requested the kippers (not plural). When it arrived it was half a kipper with some hard scrambled egg.
Review 81：The decor, and ambience was in keeping with the age of the buildings. The rooms were comfortable and well furnished.
Review 82：Not that we did not like, it was the food. The beakfast was one of the best and the roomm was lovely we felt very comfortable in there. The dinner we had was not much to our liking and we thought it was a little too expensive.
Review 83：The staff were very friendly and helpful. The room was clean and tidy and had everything we wanted for a short stay.
Review 84：The room (Old Justice) looked like it could have benefited from a deep clean, and watch out for the loud extractor fan from the kitchens which ran all night!
Review 85：Lovely hotel and great staff - made us feel very welcome. Very good dinner in the bar - excellent food - and great breakfast too!
Review 86：My partner had been ill and so we had breakfast in our room. The full English was not good - very greasy, especially the fried bread. Yoghurt and berries good and,perhaps it was because we ordered that morning,instead of night before.
Review 87：The receptionists were extremely welcoming and friendly - when I couldn't get the wifi to work the lady actually came over to the room which I thought was excellent.
Review 88：Wonderful hotel in a charming old building set in a picturesque Cotswold village. Great service and food - a fantastic couple of days. Within easy travelling distance of London and Burford is just off the main road. The hotel is easy to find and sign-posted in the village.
Review 89：The restaurant meal was fine, but quite expensive.
Review 90：A Hotel full of character and charm with excellent staff. The location in Burford is just right for visiting the many Pubs and restaurants. A beautiful garden to relax in.
Review 91：Our room was situated above a door which continually banged and proved to be the door to the staff cleaning room. The bedroom whilst comfortable and clean was in need of redecoration, with stained wallpaper in bathroom and bedroom, also curtains needed relining. If we had been staying longer we would have requested a change of room. Overall a disappointing stay, there didn't seem to be anyone in charge and the service was on the slow side. By contrast dinner at the sister hotel, The Lamb, further along the road was a much better experience and we would be minded to stay there next time.
Review 92：Location is excellent close to centre of Burford but away from busy High Street. Food was generally good and parking on site was a bonus.
Review 93：the menu is very pretentious ,not good value ,wilted spinach cheap and the fillet steak whilst very nice was very small just not good value overpriced you did request a feedback
Review 94：the building the staff the gardens the location
Review 95：The bed was a little soft for my taste, but that is just nit picking.
Review 96：Extremely friendly and helpful staff in a great location.
Review 97：Bedroom was very hot. Would have liked a shower cap provided!
Review 98：Very helpful and friendly staff
Review 99：The weather!
Review 100：The big bed, the peaceful room and delicious breakfast
Review 101：We did so enjoy our stay. Atmosphere was special and staff so friendly and efficient. We will be back
Review 102：difficult to use telephone
Review 103：staff
Review 104：Nothing. Will visit again
Review 105：The whole stay but the open fires on a cold night was a great bonus
Review 106：going home
Review 107：hotel has lots of character..wonderful feeling of stepping back in time.
Review 108：promised to split double bed to twin beds but did not get done.
Review 109：Staff fantastic.
Review 110：chicken very overcooked and coffee too weak at breakfast
Review 111：nice fire in the bar and genral ambiance
Review 112：A fabulous hotel in the prettiest village
Review 113：Nothing not to like
Review 114：The staff, food comfort attention to detail cleanliness, the service from the staff was amazing...Thank you
Review 115：Had a four poster bed, looks lovely but too small. Room to hot.
Review 116：Had the master suite, very nice.
Review 117：I had to leave very early in the morning and the staff arranged for me to have a breakfast takeaway.
Review 118：Evening Meal a little on the small side considering the price.
Review 119：The location and still a little old fashioned in this fast changing world
Review 120：it may be an idea to inform guests that the hotel will be lock at a certain time as we were locked out
Review 121：staff great food good lovely place
Review 122：Waiter service was too intrusive at timed.
Review 123：Nothing at all.
Review 124：The new decor at the hotel. Sitting in front of the open fire. The music. Burford is an amazing location.
Review 125：Nothing !
Review 126：The whole of the facilites Excellent layout & service First class staff
Review 127：Disappointed that there was not sufficient hot water for a bath in the evening. But in every other way, delightful.
Review 128：The location, the type of hotel & the overall service from very friendly staff
Review 129：Liked absolutely everything.
Review 130：Beautiful old world hotel with excellent modern amenities. Absolutely loved our stay.
Review 131：Everything - the welcoming, cosy atmosphere, the friendly and professional staff, the comfortable, good-sized and beautifully furnished garden room.
Review 132：The staff lacked some training and had a poor grasp of English
Review 133：Sitting out areas downstairs by the fires.being centre of town.