White Hart Royal Hotel

Set in a golden sandstone traditional Cotwolds building, the White Hart Royal Hotel was originally a 17th-century coaching inn and fits perfectly into its quaint, market town surroundings. Stepping inside, guests will find the original floors, which are a mix of pebble and flagstone, and can be tricky to negotiate for those unsteady on their feet. Wood-beamed low ceilings, an ancient grandfather clock, and antique, velvet-upholstered seating set an Old World tone. The artwork and objects throughout the hotel reflect its storied past, and even include the copy of an unpaid bill when King Charles I famously took shelter in the inn after a battle in 1644. The historic ambience continues throughout the hotel, with more exposed beams and stonework, lounge areas with antique furnishings, and gilt-framed paintings. A cozy bar features an inglenook fireplace with a crackling log fire to complete the snug country inn vibe. 

The hotel is centrally located on High Street in Moreton in Marsh, a small market town in the Cotswolds, which has a handful of pubs and small restaurants. It's the only town in the area with a train station (a five-minute walk from the property), and the trip to London is direct and takes less than two hours, while Heathrow Airport is about an hour and 45 minutes away by car. There are many country walks in the area and historic gardens to visit, such as Batsford Arboretum, which has the largest private collection of trees in the country and is a three-minute drive from the property. Stratford-Upon-Avon, Shakespeare’s birthplace, is a half-hour drive.

The 28 rooms are individually styled, and while the more modern Standard Rooms are pretty straightforward, Feature Rooms are more distinctive. All rooms include flat-screen TVs, tea- and coffee-making facilities, and wired Internet access (Wi-Fi is available only in public areas). Garden Rooms have private gardens and are suitable for dog owners -- the deluxe version adds an open fire -- while Le Noir Room and King Charles Suite are more luxurious and ornately decorated. Le Noir has a large tub in the bedroom, as well as a separate shower room, and the King Charles Suite features a separate lounge and more historic features, along with antiques and plush furnishings. Some rooms have four-poster beds, and the Stable Rooms have contemporary bathrooms with walk-in showers and separate tubs. Rooms overlooking the street or located above the bar can be prone to noise, and Room 301 on the ground floor (the only accessible room) is next to the kitchen’s air-conditioning and extraction units, which can be noisy. 

A full, cooked breakfast (included in the rate) is provided in the Courtyard Restaurant, which is also open for lunch and dinner, serving hearty English or lighter Mediterranean fare and traditional Sunday roasts. Guests can also take meals in the Snug Bar, which has an extensive selection of ales and a cozy fireplace, or in any of the hotel’s lounges. Weddings and other functions can be held in the Oxford Suite, which has large windows overlooking the hotel’s courtyard (also available for private functions), and can accommodate up to 65 people. The hotel has a car park with limited space but free parking is available on the street in front of the hotel. Wi-Fi is free in all public spaces.