The Dial House


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The Dial House descritpion


In the heart of the Cotswolds, The Dial House Hotel features free Wi-Fi, and free parking on site. It has a peaceful walled garden with a private spa, so guests can relax outside in warmer weather.
The hotel dates back to 1698, and has individually decorated rooms, some with a four-poster bed and deep bath. Rooms come with free toiletries, tea/coffee-making facilities, and a TV.
The restaurant features delicious fine dining in the evenings, and lunch and cream tea (tea and scones) are available every day.
Surrounded by charming Cotswold villages, the hotel is a 40-minute drive from Blenheim Palace. Sudeley Castle is just 10 miles from the building.

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Facilities of The Dial House

Outdoors :Grounds | Terrace

Pets :Pets are allowed on request. Charges may apply.

Activities :Golf Course (within 2 miles)

Food & Drink :Bar

Internet :Free!WiFi is available in public areas and is free of charge.

Parking :Free!Free public parking is available on site (reservation is not needed).

General :Non-smoking Rooms | All Spaces Non-Smoking (public and private)

Languages Spoken :Russian | Lithuanian | French | English | Czech | Arabic

Reviews for The Dial House

Review 1:one room had some terrrible smell (like vomit - post NYE) , but the friendly staff upgraded us to a better room free of charge. It was good service.

Review 2:breakfast was excellent. customer service is pretty good too.

Review 3:The noise in the coach house of others in their rooms and banging doors. There is no sound proofing in those rooms. One of the breakfast waiters was very grumpy, but one of the waitresses was really bubbly and very kind. The place is in desperate need of renovation - very cold and damp.

Review 4:The deluxe rooms are very comfortable but extremely noisy. Very expensive for a rundown hotel

Review 5:Late check in at 3pm. This meant I had to leave a wedding to check in as opposed to check in earlier

Review 6:Breakfast in the morning- great service, good quality

Review 7:The location of the hotel was perfect for sightseeing in the Cotswolds. The staff at the hotel were very friendly and helpful. The breakfasts were of a very high standard, enjoyed our stay at the hotel very much.

Review 8:I wouldn't say a bad experience, but the first day that we had breakfast, our waiter didn't smile at all, and it put us off. The second morning he had 'thawed' somewhat, and it was better.

Review 9:The hotel is a lovely old home. The reception room is charming, as are the two rooms where you eat. The staff are welcoming and friendly. They went out of their way to make sure our stay was satisfactory. I mentioned to someone over dinner that the music playing during breakfast that morning was not nice--a bit loud and disruptive. I don't know if this made a difference, but the next morning the music was lower and less intrusive.

Review 10:Housekeeping stood outside of room for around 45 minutes talking loudly ref how tired they were due to an annoying guest getting locked out of their room the previous night, asking his colleague for bus money home & generally moaning in a loud annoying tone for us to hear whilst trying to lie in ! Emptying bin bags & for me to open the door to ask if they could perhaps move away & keep the noise down to laugh as soon as the door was closed & carried on. Reception told on checkout, apologised nothing else.

Review 11:The location, amazing breakfast!

Review 12:The room we were allocated (no.5) was way below the standard expected having paid £160 for a one night stay. We had a dripping tap and the curtains were hanging off in places. We complained and were told we would have to pay for an upgrade. We complained again and then we were moved to a better room. We enjoyed our stay but because of this, I would not return.

Review 13:The breakfast was excellent, one of the nicest I've ever eaten.

Review 14:Only niggle was the heating in our room was hit and miss, fortunately it was quite mind December.

Review 15:Staff and location excellent. Breakfasts first class, will definitely go again.

Review 16:Didn't light the wonderful open fires which was really disappointing. The lounge needed cleaning Heating not working so blow heater was used in small room, when getting back to our room it was so hot, like a sauna! Had to open windows and doors. Could do with a little decorating.

Review 17:We loved the old building with lots of character also The lounge with lovely fire place. Bar area and gardens. Hotel was in a perfect position Friendly helpful staff Nice food.

Review 18:Only the weather, but that can't be helped!

Review 19:Room was cosy and very clean, lovely bathroom and toiletries. Breakfast was fresh and well cooked, staff very obliging.

Review 20:The hotel had major problems with the central heating. Although portable heaters were provided they were not sufficient resulting in a cold bedroom running with condensation. Perhaps a discount would have made us feel better.

Review 21:Very nice breakfast

Review 22:We had a lovely stay at The Dial House Hotel. We were greeted by friendly, helpful staff on arrival and we were impressed with the room including the complimentary items. The breakfast was delicious and the quality and amount was great.

Review 23:The location is excellent , with a couple of good restaurants .Breakfast was excellent . Dinner at the restaurant was good but not as good as I expected .We had an issue with the boiler and didn't have hot water , but the management changed us the room to a new spacious and nice one and so the issue was solved.

Review 24:The dinner in the restaurant was amazing! The tastes were wonderful, the presentation of the foods were really eye-pleasing and the service was excellent. The dinner is really good value for money. They would deserve a Michelin star. The staff in hotel was friendly and wonderful.

Review 25:The double bed in room 5 sloped to the middle A foreign lady on reception was quite rude. My husband went to reception and stood there 15 minutes while she did something with a book and did not even acknowledged him so he walked away Food portions were small although there was a lot of choice

Review 26:The rooms were small but nice. Hot tub was fantastic Most of the staff were very polite and friendly Food was very good Onsite car parking Overall the hotel was very nice and suited our needs

Review 27:Pre ordered drinks not in the room and the cleaners had left cleaning fluid in the bathroom not acceptable also tired rooms in need of a refurb

Review 28:The location was excellent and the breakfast was very tasty

Review 29:The staff were very helpful and they all looked happy to be working there. The room was small but cosy, just enough for the 2 of us. I loved the location everything was very close.

Review 30:The location is beautiful and the hotel is quaint and well preserved. The staff are lovely and very welcoming. The breakfast was delicious and the facilities are good.

Review 31:nothing, it was perfect and we will definitely visit here again with the rt of my family.

Review 32:The position of the hotel is in the best location in the whole village, set back with a large private garden and parking area, really stylish decor and beautifully presented breakfast

Review 33:Went to have a pint in the sunshine after a long walk, 2 hrs after checking out, but they wouldn't serve me as I was no longer a resident. Left the wrong sort of bitter taste in my mouth.

Review 34:Great location in the middle of town. Didn't eat here as we weren't in the mood for fine dining. The menu looked a little over fussy and pretty expensive, but there is a really nice restaurant opposite called The Rose Tree.

Review 35:The location of the hotel was perfect & all the staff were very efficient, happy & welcoming. We are intending to do a return trip & will stay at the same hotel.

Review 36:Too many stairs without a lift to the top floor. Food preparation concerned more with presentation than food content. weather was awful but we will not blame the hotel for this!

Review 37:Good location with car parking.

Review 38:The bath area was far too small,could easily hit head on jutting walls. Should have signs warning about heat of water. Far too hot !

Review 39:Food was excellent

Review 40:Nothing

Review 41:Just an amazing place to stay, location and staff couldn't get much better. Our room was big, light, clean, quiet, comfortable, great bathroom, delicious cooked breakfast. Everything just Fabulous.

Review 42:The location of the hotel is perfect. From our room you could see the river. Didn't have a bath in the room like it said but the shower was amazing.

Review 43:Probably would not stay in Bourton on Water again prefer other villages in Cotswolds.

Review 44:Location was good and easy to find Hotel. Comfortable and Friendly.

Review 45:Room cold and damp as was put out in the coach house due to traveling with dog, felt like a bit of an outcast as dog not allowed in the main hotel or even in the bar area so we couldn't enjoy the whole experience but they still charged extra £10 per night for the privilege.

Review 46:Really pretty hotel and rooms nicely decorated.

Review 47:Although the food was excellent it is high end dining.A more varied menu would be nice.

Review 48:Excellent location for visiting cotswold attractions. Staff were very attentive and eager to help on anyway possible.

Review 49:The room was £150 per night and was probably worth half that. Top floor, little chairs and not much room compared to others in the building for the same price

Review 50:The breakfast was excellent and location very lovely.

Review 51:Hot tub needed maintenance, not many staff, when we rang the reception, there was no answer but the staff were friendly and helpful

Review 52:The grounds, the hot tub and the room with the whirlpool bath

Review 53:Same tape played during breakfast for three mornings! Don't mind Chas & Dave but not for breakfast!

Review 54:Location. Pleasant grounds, restaurant and lounge

Review 55:There's nothing not to like

Review 56:Staff brilliant. Very helpful. Breakfast was brill. So well presented. Thought you was in a top class hotel. Definitely stay again if ever in that area.

Review 57:Everything is supremely top notch in this hotel. Porridge with whisky in it on the breakfast menu was the pièce de resistance. Loved the hot tub - just gutted we didn't have time to get in it!

Review 58:On booking I advised of a diary allergy that I have, when I came down for breakfast the first morning I was told that no "dairy free" spread had been bought, I found this unacceptable as the booking was made some 4 weeks earlier and the staff seemed to dismiss it as not important. I was also disappointed that I could not choose my fruit but was given a small dish with a small portion already served.

Review 59:Dial House was excellently situated in the heart of the town.

Review 60:The reception staff were extremely helpful and welcoming and made our stay feel quite special. The food was excellent and our room was very comfortable and quiet. Altogether it was a very enjoyable stay.

Review 61:Upon arrival it would have been nice to have had the person on Reception greet us with a Welcome!

Review 62:Being in the centre of the village. Also, the waitress in the evening - explained the menu and service was great.

Review 63:We were in one of the attic rooms and it was really difficult for my husband who is tall to enter our room. Once in it, it was fine though.

Review 64:Delightful setting and beautiful old building. Decorated very beautifully - obviously fairly recent. Lots of electrical outlets - a rarity in old buildings. The staff was very, very friendly and helpful. Parking great - really important in this crowded village during the daytime.

Review 65:Room 16 was just not fit for purpose. It is an attic room with sloping ceilings & low beams.The top of the stairs & the narrow(very) landing is the same.The door to the bedroom has been cut severely to fit ceiling angle. we could only walk stooping & bent over sideways from room to bathroom & stairs.Impossible when dark.

Review 66:Location for Bourton-on-the Water could not have been better. All local facilities within easy walking distance.

Review 67:The room we had was classed as premium. The carpet was covered in stains. You had to squeeze between a 12 inch space between the corner of the 4 poster bed and the wall. The room was in an external building which meant you had to walk through the rain to get to the breakfast room yet we were chargesd the same as those in the main building.

Review 68:Central position, nice garden,

Review 69:Our room was gorgeous in the loft (16) with Molton Brown goodies, luxurious towels and beautiful views of the River Windrush. The breakfast was great - so nice to order from a menu rather than a bun-fight buffet! The staff were friendly and professional.

Review 70:When we check-in the room it didn't have a stand- in shower which we thought all premier rooms had; When we looked on their web-site. They change us to a room with a stand-in shower for three nights and, we had one night with bath and, a hand-shower.

Review 71:The staff was more than helpful, Tim the manager was excellent looked after our every need. Breakfast was great and, The evening meals amazing.

Review 72:none

Review 73:Hotel location excellent with outside seating and free parking. We enjoyed the waiter service at breakfast however the restaurant was closed on Sunday evening so the receptionist emailed a list of recommended restaurant so I made an advanced booking at a local establishment

Review 74:Everything was very good from the parking, to location, room and staff. would stay again and certainly recommend it. Get out of Bourton between 10 and 5 when the coaches are in!!!

Review 75:The location was ideal right in the centre with lovely gardens and good parking. Room was very comfortable with good facilities and plenty of tea/coffee etc. Staff were very friendly and helpful.

Review 76:Location-wise, you couldn't ask for much better if you're visiting Bourton on the Water as it's right in the heart of the village. The breakfast was very luxurious! As was our evening meal at the restaurant - it wasn't cheap but well worth it for a really memorable fine dining experience. We stayed in one of the 'cosy double' rooms, which is the smallest available but was perfectly adequate for us. We really enjoyed our stay here.

Review 77:Slightly pricey but we knew that when booking :)

Review 78:Location, location, location! Right in the middle of the village, but set nicely 30m off the main road. Bourton-on-the-Water's oldest building with large grounds out the back too. Loved room 16 in the loft which overlooked the front of the hotel

Review 79:Breakfast looked amazing but was served cold by a rude waiter. To be fair to the hotel they refunded the cost of the breakfast back.

Review 80:Location, carpark, the bed was very comfy, room clean and reception staff very helpful

Review 81:We had one of the small rooms there was inadeqate clothes storage.Suitable for one night stay but not 4

Review 82:Attentive staff first class breakfast.Very clean.

Review 83:Staff are excellent. My wife left her sunglasses behind and they kindly posted them back to us by recorded delivery, free of charge. Touches like that are really appreciated.

Review 84:I emailed to say my husband and I were began in the booking prior to arrival. I checked with staff again when we arrived that they could cook us a meal that night and we were told yes that was fine. An hour before our meal was booked we were told that in fact they could not cater for us and we would have to eat else where. By this point we were starving and had no clue where to eat. I was told by a smug receptionist that I should have specifically said in advance that we wanted to have dinner there and made me feel like I was inconveniencing them.

Review 85:One very helpful waitress who told us where we could eat nearby

Review 86:Rooms are tired with damaged furniture, stains on the carpet and was dusty with water markets on glass tops

Review 87:Fantastic location, nice secluded rear garden, quality breakfast

Review 88:The hotel location was perfect and the breakfast was probably the best we've had at any hotel. The gardens were lovely and would have been nice to sit and have a drink had we arrived earlier.

Review 89:We did not use the restaurant for evening meals so cannot comment on the quality or value of the food but the dining facilities are very good.

Review 90:The hotel was absolutely perfect for our trip. Located in central Bourton on the water. All of the staff were attentive and very pleasant. When we arrived our room was not quite ready for us so we were offered a complimentary drink in the bar and then found that we had been upgraded to a beautiful superior room. We stayed for 4 days and can't fault anyhting to do with our stay. So thanks Dial House for a lovely break.

Review 91:My wifes only issue was the hairdryer couldn't be plugged in with the use of the mirror, but this was rectified quickly by reception with an extension lead......

Review 92:We booked a small cozy room, which was small but ok for a couple of nights, the evening meal was superb as was breakfast, a nice choice, freshly cooked.

Review 93:We liked just about everything about our stay here (the only exception being the mirrors and cushions in our room which were a bit glitzy; we stacked the cushions on a chair and ignored the mirrors). Staff friendly, view into gardens lovely, comfortable and clean room (small but adequate) and bathroom. Location excellent with ample parking. The breakfast (included in room rate) was absolutely fantastic, 11 out of 10! We booked this property at short notice at a very reasonable rate and were extremely happy at the value-for-money it represented.

Review 94:We stayed in a classic room for £149 per night. The carpet was very badly marked as were the walls it was a horrible room and definitely not worth the money.

Review 95:From the outside the hotel looks lovely

Review 96:would have preferred a room in the main hotel rather than the coach house. Felt cramped as there were no views and bathroom wS very small. Jacuzzi bath didn't work. Ok for one night.

Review 97:in the heart of Bourton on the Water which was great. Lovely friendly staff .

Review 98:No lift, but appreciate why.

Review 99:The outwardly charm and beauty of the hotel was echoed internally. Rooms were very clean and well presented. A perfect balance between quaint and comfort. Staff were pleasant, helpful and attentive but not intrusive. A very pleasant stay.

Review 100:Small narrow bath with no fixed shower head and curtain so not very practical

Review 101:Location and excellent breakfast. All staff very pleasant. Lovely big bed.

Review 102:The staff were very polite, courteous and warm towards us. The walk-in into the hotel was lovely, and it seemed like a lot of effort was placed into making your stay as comfortable as possible. The breakfast was also superb.

Review 103:The service of all staff was very professional and excellent, the breakfast was probably as good as it gets and the room that we were upgraded to was very comfortable indeed

Review 104:The housekeeper was rather careless in replenishing items such as toilet rolls, tissues. The lack of a stand up shower was a definite negative, especially for we Aussies. Aussies rarely use a plunge bath, preferring at least two showers a day.

Review 105:The location; the room; the breakfasts.

Review 106:The classic room was too small. Not value for money at all.The bathroom was tiny - A shower would be more practical... The bath was too small so you couldn't relax.

Review 107:The location was excellent. The exterior of the hotel was very pretty. Breakfast was delicious!

Review 108:Evening meal at hotel was expensive but then there were many lovely reasonably priced alternatives.

Review 109:Lovely room & great breakfast. Was a great base right in the centre of the Cotswolds.

Review 110:Only fixed dinner menus are offered, if staying more than 1 night you would need to eat elsewhere. Offering an a la carte menu would be a good improvement.

Review 111:The location is excellent and the staff are all friendly & helpful. The room was great and the bed was very comfortable. Both dinner & breakfast were excellent (a 3 course breakfast!), but dinner choice is very limited.

Review 112:The room was small and the bathroom tiny. But both were clean and modern.

Review 113:The staff were friendly and helpful. The hotel was very central in this all picturesque village.

Review 114:We stayed in the coach house, the four poster bed dominated the room so much so you had to breath in and walk sideways to get to the far side and the tea making facilities, a normal good quality bed would suffice. We would have loved to have eaten dinner there but you could not choose what you wanted to eat, only the chef's fixed menu, great if you like the course he chose, expensive to try something you may not have had before and may not like. They are trying to offer a high end product but they are not quite there yet

Review 115:The staff were excellent and very friendly, it seemed like nothing would have been too much trouble for them. The lounge and dinning areas are very cosy and ambient.

Review 116:Very comfy rooms with a luxurious feel to them. The choice for breakfast was second to none! And totally delicious. Be aware you may need a magnifying glass to read the menu if your eyes are not what they used to be!

Review 117:This was very poor value for money. The room was small and had a four poster bed.. at least a bed with a vertical pole at each corner. Problem was that in order to get around it you had to turn sideways , breathe in and squeeze past. Overall the hotel was unkempt with a very unprepossessing reception entrance from the car park.Give the coach house a miss.

Review 118:The weather was good. The staff were friendly and helpful.

Review 119:Had a brilliant 2 day/night stay . Food was lovely and loved the whiskey glazed porridge . staff were friendly and our room was good with a nice comfy bed . Will definately stay here again .

Review 120:Two days prior to our stay I rang hotel to arrange which room I wanted (chosen from website) but when we arrived the room I had agreed we wanted had already been given to someone else. Fortunately, we were able to find another room available to our our taste.

Review 121:king size bed

Review 122:I'm not convinced the small double rooms are good value. Fortunately, I was upgraded.

Review 123:The location of the hotel right in the centre of Bourton, my upgraded bedroom (there was a problem with the bath in the first room), the well-cooked and presented breakfasts, the pretty breakfast room and the wonderful helpfulness of Jess throughout my stay.

Review 124:My only gripe was the heat of the room. But I was able to turn it down, eventually, pressing all sorts of buttons in the remote thermostat in the room. But this is only a minor moan and dos not spoil anything

Review 125:Location was excellent. Right in the middle of the village - set back from the road offered the quiet and exclusive feel. Free onsite parking was perfect. We didn't eat an evening meal here but the breakfast - full English of course - was top quality. Simon seemed to be running it all front of house and bar, then waiter in the morning. He was very helpful and polite. Owe had front views of the village and rear views of the gardens. Defiantly worth paying the extra for the top rooms. Would 100% stay again

Review 126:The bar/lounge area could have been a little more charismatic.

Review 127:On arrival, the hotel looked stunning and didn't dissapoint at any point throughout the stay! The parking was secure and easy to access. The staff were very friendly and couldn't have done enough to help! Breakfast was perfect with great choice and great quality!

Review 128:Small en suite, cold floor and little room to move. Hot tub inviting but no dressing gown or slippers offered to enable use. No clock to know time or set alarm. Late breakfast time, and paper delivered after eight. At breakfast , coffee weak and no hot milk and requests such as fresh fruit or toast ignored or misunderstood.Full breakfast given despite the order requested. Pot of tea given but with mugs, just enough for one mug each, needed a pot of hot water or refill, but none offered. Music played during breakfast not to everyone's taste, quite depressing, might be better to have easy listening.

Review 129:Comfortable bed, cosiness, warmth, and friendly helpful staff. Good tea/coffe making facilities and room clean and warm.

The Fine Print

The hotel does not accept children under 10 years old.