History and setting: what kind of hotel is this?

The hotel is situated in the village of Westonbirt, a short drive from Tetbury in the Cotswolds, and is listed on Trivago. The Hare & Hounds occupies a honey-coloured Cotswold stone building in Westonbirt village, and independent reviewers describe it as a classic countryside hotel. The Hotel Guru describes a 4-star, dog-friendly property built in traditional stone with a courtyard and open fires — the kind of place where you can settle into a sofa with a drink after a bracing walk.

We didn’t find a widely cited founding date in the sources reviewed; the property’s story is told through its architecture and atmosphere. Tripadvisor reviewers describe a mix of formal hotel polish and relaxed, pub-style informality, so the experience can vary depending on which part of the hotel you’re in.

One important clarification before you book: this is not the similarly named Hare and Hounds pub in Bath, Somerset. That’s a separate dog-friendly pub and restaurant on Lansdown Road, not a hotel — a distinction that matters when you’re searching online.

Is The Hare & Hounds Hotel dog friendly?

Yes — and it’s one of the hotel’s most consistent selling points. The Hotel Guru explicitly describes it as a dog-friendly country-house hotel, and Tripadvisor guest reviews note dog-friendly amenities as a highlight.

What we couldn’t verify from the sources reviewed: whether dogs are allowed in the Westonbirt Restaurant during dinner, which room categories are pet-friendly, and whether a pet fee applies. Those details aren’t consistently published in the listings we checked, so call the hotel directly before you confirm your booking.

And to repeat the earlier point — if your search brings up a dog-friendly Hare and Hounds in Bath, you’re looking at a different business. The Bath venue is a pub, not a hotel.

Food and drink: the Westonbirt Restaurant

The hotel’s main dining room is the Westonbirt Restaurant. The Hotel Guru describes the menu as creative and popular with locals as well as guests — a good sign if you’d rather not eat out every night.

Breakfast is where the kitchen seems to shine brightest. Booking.com guests rate breakfast at 9.6 out of 10, which is a standout score and one of the strongest signals in this whole review.

We haven’t listed specific dishes because menus change by season, and none of the sources we reviewed verified current dishes. The courtyard and open fires also make this a welcoming spot for an evening drink.

Rooms, guest ratings and what it costs

The hotel has 44 bedrooms and suites, according to its Tripadvisor listing — large enough to feel like a proper country hotel, small enough to keep service personal. It’s rated 4 stars on Booking.com, with an overall guest score of 8.8 / 10.

Guest reviews on Tripadvisor most consistently praise the location and the staff. KAYAK guest data echoes the same strengths — so if location and friendly service are priorities, this hotel delivers on both.

On the other side, some Tripadvisor reviewers mention rooms that run warm or feel compact. If you prefer a larger room, mention it when you book, and read a handful of recent reviews before you commit — scores vary by platform and over time.

On price: we’re deliberately not quoting nightly rates because they swing by season, room type and booking platform. Instead, check current rates on Booking.com, Trivago and KAYAK — and compare at least two platforms before booking.

The pros and cons at a glance

Who is The Hare & Hounds Hotel best for?

Alternatives and our pick

If the countryside setting appeals but you’re comparing options, two very different directions are worth noting. For a similar upscale country-house experience with a strong restaurant reputation, Lime Wood is another notable property in the same mould — though it sits in the New Forest rather than the Cotswolds, so weigh location before you compare. For a broader comparison across traditional country-house hotels and inns, see our detailed Black Swan Hotel Comparison guide. For something genuinely different, book the table rather than a room at the separately owned Hare and Hounds pub in Bath — it’s a different business and not a hotel.

Location and getting there

The Hare & Hounds Hotel is located on Bath Road in the village of Westonbirt, near Tetbury, Gloucestershire. Check-in is generally from 15:00 and check-out by 11:00, according to hotel-listing aggregations like Trivago. The property is best reached by car, with free on-site parking available.

Pricing and value

Room rates at The Hare & Hounds Hotel vary significantly depending on the season, room category, and booking platform. To secure the best available rate, we recommend comparing prices on Booking.com, Trivago, and KAYAK before booking. Note that individual room rates are not fixed and fluctuate based on supply.

“The Hare and Hounds is a traditional Cotswold country house hotel.”

— The Hotel Guru, hotel-review publication

“A smart but relaxed getaway amid stunning countryside.”

— The Hotel Guru, hotel-review publication

Frequently asked questions

Sources and final checks

Every fact above is linked to its source from the first mention. Here’s the full list so you can verify before you book:

• Independent review: The Hotel Guru — Hare and Hounds Hotel (linked in snapshot above)
• Guest reviews: Tripadvisor — Hare and Hounds Hotel (linked in the review section above)
• Guest ratings & booking: Booking.com — Hare and Hounds Hotel (linked in snapshot above)
• Guest reviews & rates: KAYAK — Hare and Hounds Hotel (linked in section above)
• Booking details: Trivago — Hare and Hounds Hotel (linked in section above)
• Entity check: Tripadvisor — Hare and Hounds Pub, Bath (separate business)
• Price guide context: A Lady of Leisure — indicative 2025 rates

Review scores vary by platform and over time, so read the most recent reviews before booking. And two final checks: if you’re travelling with a dog, confirm the pet policy by phone; if you’re comparing prices, check at least two booking platforms.