Bay Tree Classic Hotel

I find the negative reviews previously posted very hard to understand - with regard to creaking floorboards; what do you expect for goodness sake - the place is nearly 500 years old! As for the rude staff - that reviewer is from New York, try listening to some Americans! My wife and I have stayed at this hotel several times - we love it, we have always found the staff to be courteous, friendly and helpful - although the language barrier can be a problem (they tend to employ non-English Europeans) but have always found patience and good manners helps! Yes, the garden rooms are outside of the main building but in our opinion that adds to their charm. and you do have a increased level of privacy - as to the decor it is in keeping with building - and by the way it isn't "quaint" it's history - contrary to what some Americans believe the worlds history didn't begin with the Declaration of Independence in 1776! The food has always been excellent but as one reviewer has pointed out there is only one vegetarian dish - but that is in keeping with most establisments, after all most people are meat eaters. Would always recommend this hotel.

Booked a winter warmer special break for 2 days. The not so good 1)booking not confirmed and had to chase twice 2)on arrival receptionist could not even bother to stand in order to greet us 3)superior garden rooms are separate from the main hotel and were cold, got free upgrade on request,however without a smile. 4)beds very uncomfortable, room noisy, few blankets 5)dining room cold the good 1)well positioned for cotwolds and oxford 2)restaurant staff worked hard to accomodate 3)food good 4)limestone period building lovely This hotel has the potentail to be a fabulous hotel but needs some significant changes

I thought this was a beautiful hotel aboslutely perfect for a winters day with roaring fires and a real country cosy feel. Absolutely gorgeous building and grounds with the decor - whilst not to my taste, completely appropriate and in tune. We had my Mother Birthday there and they made the whole event very enjoyable. Food was also wonderful. I hugely recommend it.

My wife & I stayed for two nights at The Bay Tree Hotel. It is a lovely cosy 16th Century building. There are flagstone floors & open fires. The perfect place to relax during the winter. We upgraded to one of the Garden Rooms which was lovely. Plenty of space & a nice large clean bathroom. Decor in the room was exactly what we would expect to find in a country cottage. Food served in the dining room was superb, although there was only one vegetarian choice per course. However, the menu changed on each day we were there so I did not worry to much. As with dinner, the breakfasts were excellent. The staff were all very friendly & efficient & I'd particularly like to commend our waiter at dinner, Leo. Burford is a lovely location, & I imagine that the garden at The Bay Tree Hotel must be a beautiful during Spring & Summer. We really enjoyed our stay & although the price is quite high, we thought it was worth it for such good standards of accommodation & food. As this was a special treat to celebrate the occasion of my wife's birthday, I'd say the cost was justified.

The rooms were cute, beds okay, nice molton brown toiletries. However, RUDE staff. I am not sure I saw one of them smile the entire time we were there and more often than not they looked incredibly pissed whenever we asked them for anything. Would not recommend this hotel.

We booked a late deal at The Bay Tree as both of us are huge fans of the Cotswolds. The receptionist who dealt with us was polite and helpful, offering us a variety of deals, all of which were appealing. On our arrival, we found a stunning building to greet us down a quiet street in what is a busy little town. We were then upgraded, for no extra charge, to a suite that was superb. Comfortable armchairs, beams, a large bed, a spacious bathroom (with Moulton Brown toiletries) and, best of all, quiet. The rest of the hotel turned out to be just as attractive. Stone floors, a beautiful garden, high quality food in both the restaurant and the bar, and staff who were friendly at all times. We had a fantastic stay here. There was no sense of obtrusiveness, everything just seemed to happen as you would wish. This has got to be, personally, one of the best hotels we have ever stayed in, in a location that was ideal. Our plan is to go back!

Just returned from the Bay Tree and had an excellent time. It's an Elizabethan building in a honey-coloured Cotswold town. The Bay Tree is full of character and quality, with charming staff. The room, or suite, we had was furnished with rustic antiques (inc the bed) and was quite spacious. It's not cheap - but there are some goods midweek deals available. This is one we'd go back to. But if you go, don't feed the ducks. They'll come to your door at 6am demanding breakfast!

In a fairly mobile life I have stayed at some of the best, and worst, hotels in the world. The Bay Tree in Burford is definitely high up on the list of the best. There is something very special about old English country hotels that can never be found even in the best that Hilton, Marriott, Radisson or LeMeridien can offer. To find an excellence that surpasses their best efforts, not in a major European capital, but in a sleepy little village in the middle of nowhere, is delightful. Staying at the Bay Tree propels you into a different world, quite literally. It's a world where things are done well - not because it is explicitly demanded, but because it is only natural that they be done that way. The modern world has not caught up with this hotel, and I hope it never will. It is perfect just they way it is. Stay there and you will not be disappointed.

The Bay Tree was a wonderful place to stay. The room was large and charming. The staff was helpful to the point that they assisted our friends in the US arrange for the delivery of flowers upon our arrival as a surprise. The food was great and the back terrace a wonderful respite from fun excursions into the surrounding countryside.

You can't help but relax and enjoy the ambiance at the Bay Tree Hotel in Burford. As you wind your way through the library, the dining room, and each of the various sitting rooms, you are enveloped in a warmth and richness that massages every worn nerve in your body. The guest rooms are exquisitely decorated to transport you back in time, and provide a good nights sleep to any weary traveler. Debbra Woodruff, Everett, WA, USA