The Artist Residence, Oxfordshire

We arrived at The Artist Residence around 5pm, hot and sweaty and in need of  a drink!  After a swift check in, we were shown to our room 'The Rabbit Hole'. I think this is their cheapest option, I would have preferred to have booked a larger room with a rolltop bath but as we were only here for one night in the summer, I figured we didn't need to make the extra splurge.

The room was filled with lovely items and styled in a quirky manor which I love but we did have a few gripes. The room was VERY small, so it was a squeeze to get around the bed and once your bags were on the chair/floor there was very little room to move.

The bathroom door didn't have a lock and didn't close properly so that can be an issue if you need some, ahem, privacy. There was no complimentary water and our milk in the fridge was a little sour. It was also really hot in the room despite the fan that they gave us. For £165 a night, I would have expected a little more for our money.

This will also make me sound like SUCH a diva but I also would have thought that they might have given me a complimentary glass of prosecco as it was my birthday and I knew that the hotel wasn't fully booked that night so an upgrade would have been cool?

Anyway, we didn't spend a lot of time in the room so it didn't matter too much but I would suggest booking a bigger room.

We were given complimentary cookies though, which I didn't eat. Damn diet!

The shower was incredible, it felt like washing in a monsoon rainfall and the room came with Bramley products which smell divine, and no you couldn't take them home!

Fluffy dressing gowns and slipppers were a nice touch.

We went downstairs to eat and I promptly ordered a garden cup cocktail which is a blend of gin, elderflower, ginger beer and cucumber. So yummy! 

For my starter I ordered the burrata with pesto and tomatoes, this was delicious.

The mussels for my main were also very good. 

I had wanted to go for a bike ride as they provide you with free bikes but it was too hot so we went for an after dinner walk instead (they also have wellies on hand should you need them).

It was such a nice evening and they are located smack bang in the countryside so there are lots of lovely views whichever way you turn.

When we got back from our walk I ordered an espresso martini which I massivly regretted later that night when I couldn't sleep! It was very good though. The bartender knew her cocktails.

We headed to bed and cracked open the choccies.

After having a terrible night's sleep (which was to no fault of the hotel) I woke up at 5.20am and was so hungry! Breakast wasn't until 8am so I drank a lot of tea to try and curb the hunger. Isn't that so annoying when you have a rubbish night's sleep?

When we could order breakfast, we opted for room service so I could open my birthday presents in bed and when it came, IT.WAS.BANGING.

I ordered the veggie breakfast which was scrambled eggs, smashed avo, mushrooms, tomatoes, halloumi and sourdough (which I didn't eat, strangely not missing bread that much).

Mr Poachie had poachies, bacon, smashed avo and toast.

Feeling content, we showered and got ready to leave. It was set to be another sunny day and we wanted to make the most of it!

This was the electric car charging point but its worth noting it was only for Tesla cars.

All in all, I was glad to have visited but I don't think I would book this room again. I want to see their Brighton hotel and I would pay more for a bigger room if I needed to stay.

More Cotswolds blogs to come!