Kings Head Hotel

The historic Kings Head Hotel is situated in a charming 14th-century building reopened in mid-2014 after a major renovation. Originally a coaching inn, the quaint three-story building has a white facade finished with arched windows, flower boxes, and top dormer windows. Interiors are thoughtful, stylish, and sophisticated, pairing traditional details with modern accents. In the lobby, a natural-wood floor complements sage-green wainscoting and off-white walls. Vintage wood furniture, such as traditional Windsor chairs, mingle with velvety upholstered chairs in mustard yellow and dark blue. A glass cutout in the lobby floor displays the historic foundations, including subterranean rooms with vaulted ceilings and exposed-brick walls. The restaurant has a beautiful natural wood parquet floor and a stylish gallery wall of prints. Most guests are leisure travelers, looking for an escape from the city, and include couples, families, and business travelers. 

Kings Head Hotel is conveniently located in the heart of Cirencester, the largest town in Cotswold. The hotel sits right on the bustling Market Place, which is filled with shops, cafes, and restaurants. The beautiful early-12th-century St. John's church is also across the street. The nearest airport, Cotswold Airport at Kemble, is about a 10-minute drive away. The National Express bus stop that goes to London is  a six-minute walk from the hotel, and London's Heathrow Airport is about an hour-and-a-half drive. Bristol Airport is a little more than an hour's drive. 

The 45 guest rooms here, including 28 rooms and 17 suites, are individually decorated. While room decor varies, it's sophisticated and traditional with contemporary accents and modern amenities. Some rooms have wood-paneled walls, while others feature toile wallpaper, exposed brick, or wood-beam accents. Headboards might be velvety button-tufted, and wood writing desks might be paired with silver desk lamps or classic Windsor chairs. Bathrooms, too, are stylish, with brown floors and white or gray accent tiling on the walls. They may include roomy walk-in showers or shower/tub combos, some lined in subway tile.

A largest suite might offer extras like charming architectural features, four-poster beds, separate lounge areas, or free-standing brass tubs. Rooms have individually controlled AC, Nespresso coffeemakers, safes, mini-fridges with free water, iron and ironing boards, toiletries, free Wi-Fi, and flat-screen TVs with attached Mac Mini computers for surfing the web or streaming video. 

Kings Head Hotel has most of the leisure amenities guests have come to expect from an upscale property. A charming restaurant serves breakfast, lunch, dinner, plus a full afternoon tea. There's also a stylish bar and lounge, and the hotel offers an extensive wine list of more than 100 labels. Guests can also have drinks on a rooftop terrace. On the whole, guests rate the food good, though some find it pricey (breakfast comes with a fee, too). Room service is available as well.

Wellness facilities include a small gym and a full-service, basement-level spa with a whirlpool, sauna, steam room, relaxation room, and several treatment rooms. Use of the facilities comes with a fee. Treatments include massages, facials, special men's treatments, waxing, manicures, and pedicures.  

The hotel has a host of event, business, wedding, and private dining spaces. The vast Assembly Room can hold up to 120 guests and has a private bar, while smaller rooms, such as the Library and Vaulted Cellar, offer more intimate spaces. The front desk operates 24 hours, and Wi-Fi is free throughout.