Among the Small Luxury Hotels of the World, the Dormy is larger than it first appears when you park at the entrance. It feels like stepping into a friendly home with a selection of elegant oak-panelled lounges with log fireplaces, exposed brick and stylish furniture beckoning you in to find a cosy nook to sit down. There is a relaxed vibe and staff are happy to show you around to help get your bearings and encourage you to explore the house yourself too. One thing to remember is that there is no reception, but a staff member will be around to get you checked in.
England, Worcestershire, Broadway
Dormy House
(4 stars)The hotel is on the 500-acre Farncombe Estate, which is also home to other high-quality hotels belonging to the group, the Fish, Foxhill Manor, and Hillside Hangouts, with each one offering its own unique magic. The Dormy recently underwent a multi-million pound restoration by Todhunter Earle and Tony D’Alton and Scandi-chic lounges are a nod to the Nordic roots of owners, the Philip-Sorensen family which has looked after it since the 1970s. Farncombe is something of an awards magnet and has an international reputation, with Foxhill Manor recently named the number one UK hotel in Conde Nast Traveller US Readers’ Choice Awards, and the Dormy also in the top 20. Guests are encouraged to put on some boots and explore the area around the hotel too with Broadway Tower a pleasant stroll away, and activities like axe throwing, clay pigeon shooting and wine tasting available.
Location
Perched above the beautiful village of Broadway, the hotel’s location at the highest point of the estate means it offers excellent views. If you have a car there are lots of wonderful places within easy reach such as Bourton-on-the-Water and Stow-on-the-Wold.
Rooms and suites
There are 39 individually styled rooms – among them a selection of suites and hot tub suites dotted around the main house, the lodge, farmhouse and Emily wing. Rooms begin with the Intimate range which are well equipped with coffee machines, luxury bathrobes and Temple Spa products. The biggest and most indulgent rooms are called Top Notch and come with vaulted ceilings, exposed beams and chandeliers. All rooms include full access to the house spa. As for suites, the largest is The Attic, where you can expect a sloped ceiling, velvet seating, modern design – and perhaps more unexpectedly – a drum kit. If the spa isn’t enough and you want your own space to relax then booking one of the two hot tub suites could be for you.
Our Stay
We stayed in number 37 – one of the hotel’s Splendid Rooms which are spread between the farmhouse and the Emily Wing. The large room felt spacious and uncluttered, and we loved the light colours used on the walls, bedding and exposed beams. We had a comfortable king-size bed and there was plenty of sitting space with a desk and sofa positioned next to the windows, allowing light to flood in. The room had a tv, radio, coffee machine and kettle, with a selection of drinks and chocolates alongside. Water and milk were available in a communal fridge on the landing. The star of the show in the bathroom was a vintage rolltop tin bath. The deep tub sat in front a skylight to admire the magnificent views. We made use of the Temple Spa products which included an intoxicating sleep mist and cooling balm.
Food and drink
The main restaurant is The Back Garden which offers a varied choice with a strong emphasis on local ingredients and sustainability. Open daily for breakfast and dinner, this is where most guests will enjoy their Dormy dining experience. The second option is the chef’s table tasting menu MO. Winner of AA and Michelin awards, the eight-course menu is available to 12 guests in a single sitting. Places can be booked individually or as a group. The experience allows the team to showcase all their creativity and craft, with unexpected tastes and combinations, along with a little food theatre, to give guests an unforgettable evening. Afternoon tea offers an enticing mix of sweet and savoury creations and is served from Friday to Sunday between 2-4pm. The Shed is a cosy spot to enjoy lighter bites and a pre-dinner drink.
Our Dining Experience
We popped into The Shed for a pre-dinner aperitif and found a quiet spot to enjoy our Negronis with a small bowl of pretzels to nibble on. The laid-back vibe, mood lighting and friendliness of the staff made it a lovely place to chat and begin to peruse the menu to make the all-important dinner choices. There were some inventive seasonal cocktails on offer, such as the pumpkin spice whisky sour, honey and ginger spritz and pear strudel. They sat alongside the regular offerings such as the Dormypolitan and Queen of the Cotswolds. We made our way over to The Back Garden where the cool and calm atmosphere from the bar continued and were shown to our seats next to the window.
We chose a bottle of Rias Baixas Albarino from Galicia and made our starter choices – I plumped for the twice-baked Blacksticks cheese souffle, served with spinach and some delicious pickled damsons. It was as light as it was tasty and the damsons added an unexpected edge to the course. My wife chose the perfectly presented caramelised onion tart with crispy kale and smoked crème fraiche – a great taste combination and it looked excellent on the plate.
For mains, I chose the Cready Carver duck breast after consultation with our server. The pink breast was cooked to perfection, allowing the flavour to shine through. But again my wife’s choice would trump me in the looks department as her gnocchi with crown prince pumpkin and sage pesto looked a picture and tasted amazing too. She chose a toffee affogato for dessert and although the Dormy plum souffle with pistachios sounded heavenly, I didn’t want to double up on soufflé so I chose the warming sticky toffee Braeburn apple pudding – perfect for an autumn night.
Breakfast
The hot food menu offers a wide array of delights to help rouse you from your slumber, with a selection of egg dishes, porridge, grilled kippers and pancakes. We chose the Full Dormy – the hotel’s take on the full English – one with meat and one vegetarian. Nicely presented and with locally sourced ingredients full of flavour, it hit the spot. Pastries, cheeses, breads, cereals and meats are not laid out on the buffet table but can be ordered. We chose to have some sourdough with brie, double Gloucester, gruyere and Emmental and finished off with a refreshing bowl of yogurt with fruit compote and seeds.
Spa
The spa is one of the shiniest jewels in the Dormy’s crown. It is one of the most eye-catching around and is excellently designed. The composition of the pool, murals and atmospheric lighting make it the perfect place to relax. The 16m infinity pool is great for swimming a few lengths and the spa offers guests an indoor to outdoor vibe with a terrace hot tub enticingly seen through the pool window. Robes and footwear are provided to ensure the walk from the pool to the hot tub, even in winter, is not a troublesome one. Looking up to the trees and sky above while in the hot tub is an absolute pleasure. The thermal suite includes an aromatic steam room, Himalayan salt sauna and snow shower. There are six treatment rooms where staff provide everything from facials to exfoliating body scrubs. Treatments can be enjoyed with a friend or partner in the couples’ suite and the spa, given a five-star rating in the Good Spa Guide 2025, also has its own café, the Greenhouse.
Final thoughts
The Dormy offers a winning combination of high-end luxury with a light touch in a building that has a wonderfully homely feel. That can be a difficult combination to pull off, but it is done so effortlessly here. It welcomes guests in with open arms and makes them feel settled and comfortable from the off. There is space to enjoy plenty of pampering and a convivial atmosphere, but also a multitude of quiet spots to take yourself off to truly relax. If you find the right spot with a good book and a pot of tea, you may think you are in the home of a stylish friend rather than a hotel. The location is stunning and the spa is outstanding.
