About Orion
Holidays

Orion Holidays - Your Cotswold Specialists

Orion Holidays is an independent, family-run, holiday home lettings business based within the Cotswold Water Park. 

The business was founded by our owner and MD, Mark Thomas who was involved in the original property sales when the resorts were first built. 

Marks’ knowledge of the area, plus his close and long-standing relationship with many of the other local businesses, has played a key role in the growth and success of the business.

Today with over 60 holiday homes under management, and 25 years of supporting both our property owners, our locally based team are passionate about sharing their love for this area of outstanding natural beauty and helping our visitors have a truly remarkable holiday in the area.

The Orion Story

April
1997

The Orion Story Begins

The Story Begins

Orion Holidays open managing just 5 holiday homes on the Cotswold Water Park with a desire to be the best.

October
1997

Offices at Isis Lakes

Offices at Isis Lakes

Moved to offices at Watermark Isis Lakes to help the receiver of Watermark after it went into receivership.

December
1998

Move to Lower Mill

Move to Lower Mill

We moved our offices to the Cow Shed at Lower Mill Estate following the sale of Watermark.

January
1999

Lower Mill Properties

Lower Mill Properties

Based at Lower Mill our proximity led to us working with our first owners on the development.

June
1999

First Employee

First Employee

Our success saw us employ our first member of the team, Sarah, who still works with us today.

November
2000

The Old Brick Yard

The Old Brickyard

As the business grows and we take on more staff we need to find larger premises and move to the Old Brickyard.

March
2003

The Growth Years

The Growth Years

A period of rapid growth, during which we nearly went bust, taking on a larger team and moving to our current location at the Gateway Centre.

April
2022

25th Anniversary

25th Anniversary

Celebrating 25 years of working with holiday home owners and their guests to create amazing memories.

Why Choose Us?

We are local

Our team are all local and understand what makes the area such an amazing place.

Our locality means we can provide a truly hands on approach for our holiday home owners and their guests.

Whether meeting holiday guests on arrival or dealing with any questions or issues, to managing maintenance with local suppliers as well as visiting properties regularly for added security and peace of mind.

We are independent

As an independent, family run business we offer a bespoke service that ensures our holiday home owners have the flexibility they want, and work proactively with them to ensure their property is ready for their guests without any added stress.

We offer those staying with us the same level of care and attention to ensure their holiday in the Cotswold Water Park is filled with nothing but happy memories and they want to return time and time again.

We care

We pride ourselves in our strong values based on trust and transparency.

We work proactively with our property owners and guests providing regular and clear communication ensuring no surprises.

We won't make promises we can't deliver and we will always look to the long term, rather than focus on short term wins, to protect the properties we manage, guest experiences and your faith in us.

Download Our 2023 Holiday Brochure

Looking for a different kind of holiday this year?  Our free brochure is full of information about what the Cotswold Water Park has to offer!

Dowload Our Holiday Brochure

Meet The Orion Team

"Our strength is our team. We all live in, and love the Cotswold Water Park and strive every day to provide the best possible service for our holiday home owners and help their guests to relax and create lasting memories. "
Mark Thomas
Founder & Managing Director
Meet The Team

Don't just take our word for it ...

Read some of the fantastic reviews we get from holiday makers about the area, our properties and the service we provide.

Welcoming customer service and spacious property

5*

“Our 3rd time in the Cotswolds and it never disappoints. The Landings is one of the best houses we’ve stayed in – really spacious and everything you need inside, as well as a fabulous decking area that got the sun all day and well into the evening. The hot tub was great and maintained every day. Both Orion and the owner of the property were excellent. Would fully recommend this property & Orion to all my friends & family! “

Guest at: The Landings 19, Scout on the Water

Lovely view over the lake

 

5*

“A beautiful apartment with lovely view over the lake. Super clean and comfortable, was a lovely place to spend the bank holiday weekend!”

Guest at:  Howells Mere 90, Crows Nest

Spotlessly clean and well equipped kitchen

5*

“We spent 6 nights at Water’s Edge and it didn’t disappoint in any way. Everything was spotlessly clean. We decided to “eat in” a lot of the time as it was so beautiful out on the veranda. The kitchen was so well equipped, and every gadget was top quality. In fact, everything exceeded our expectations. I definitely would not hesitate on booking again and can’t wait to go back again.”

Guest at : Waters Edge 05, Amaranth Lodge  

Ideal for a family

5*

“The lodge is easily located by road and on arrival there is plenty of parking. The lodge is extremely well equipped. Everything is very clean and modern. It’s ideal for a family.  There are two bathrooms. It is also quiet but with access to all kinds of facilities nearby from water sports to walking and cycling. There is an extensive range of eating places. Also nearby is the Cotswold Country Park and Beach. Highly recommended.”

Guest at: Spring Lake 52, Eider Lodge

Perfect for a fishing holiday

5*

“We stayed in number 87 for a week. It was wonderful; very relaxing, just what we needed. The house was very comfortable with lots of thoughtful touches. The scrabble even had a pen and paper! Loved the Bluetooth speaker table. My husband enjoyed fishing every day and I was happy to read, crochet, listen to music, enjoy the view and walk the dog – plenty of places to walk locally. Thoroughly recommend and hope to return soon.”

Guest at: Windrush Lake 87, The Retreat

Plenty to see for wildlife lovers

5*

“Lodge is very well equipped. Views over the lake and the bird life are a joy to observe. The grounds are immaculately maintained, and I have enjoyed lovely walks. Isis Lake is well situated for trips to Bath, Cheltenham, Oxford and of course the whole of the Cotswolds. Close by there is a very good selection of pubs and eateries. The Crown at Cerney Wick is excellent.”

Guest at :Isis Lakes 31, Little Maine  

Exemplary customer service

5*

“Super location on Isis Lake with quick access to tennis courts etc. House was ideal for a holiday and immaculately clean. Lovely friendly holiday complex and the customer service at Orion was exemplary.”

Guest at: Isis Lakes 67, Wren Lodge

Great dog friendly holiday

5*

“Lovely accommodation, wonderful setting with lots to do for the family and great for the dogs too. Cycling, water sports, tennis, even croquet and table tennis!”

Guest at:Isis Lakes 79, Reflections 

Good free activities on-site

5*

“The property is set in a very peaceful gated estate which was impeccably clean. There are good free activities on-site, including a children’s playground, tennis courts, table tennis & an indoor area with 2 pool tables & table football. There is free fishing on site (mixed course, carp & fly fishing).  Five mins walk is a lake with kayaking, canoeing & stand up paddle boards. We also visited the nearby Cotswold County Park & Beach for the Aqua adventure session – brilliant! ”

Guest at: Isis Lakes 84, Tortola Lodge

 

Canoes with the house

5*

“Great property, exactly as advertised, well equipped, fantastic that we had canoes with the house! The lakeside walks, pool area, restaurant facilities all were immaculate.”

Guest at:Mill Village 66, Damsel Cottage

Perfect birthday weekend

5*

“We were very impressed with the lodge. We were able to have all of our family members to stay for my wife’s 80th Birthday which is exactly what she wanted. Also able to have close friends visit her throughout the weekend. We are thinking about making it an annual event, which was suggested by my Daughter and sons. We were lucky with the weather which made it perfect for our grandchildren especially with the jacuzzi. Thank you for a perfect weekend.”

Guest at: Spring Lake 77, The Ferns

Perfect for the whole family

5*

This beautiful upside down house had everything our family could possibly need. Being a dog friendly property there was a stair gate, and even a ball and treats for the dog. The highlight for me had to be unwinding in the hot tub on the decking overlooking the beautiful lake.  The house is located within yards of the spa, restaurant and pizza hut plus children’s playground & tennis courts.

Guest at: Clearwater 86

Let Your Property with Orion Holidays

Having honed our Holiday Home Property Management Service for over 25 years, we bring a wide range of  benefits to holiday home owners in the Cotswold Water Park.

Find Out More