I love it when readers reach out and report back on their stay at a place they have seen it here first.  Colette very kindly emailed me her review, photos and tips for families about their stay at the Fish Hotel, in the Costwolds.

The Fish Hotel in Worcestershire is the Scandi-styled sister to elegant siblings Dormy House and Foxhill Manor. All three country-house boltholes are nestled in the 400-acre Farncombe Estate, with sweeping views of the countryside.

This is a place where you are just as likely to see couples hanging out in the bar as you are a gaggle of excited children scampering off to play, which suited us perfectly on our family stay.

Details

• From £85
• 67 rooms
• http://www.thefishhotel.co.uk/

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Tips for families

• The hotel’s junior suites have a large, comfortable sofa bed, so it’s ideal for families.  The smaller rooms are really just for two.

• There is a children’s menu in the restaurant offering the usual fare of fish and chips; pasta; sausages. The bar doesn’t do so well with food.

• Bring trainers or walking shoes as the grounds are perfect for running around. Older children will want to sample some of the adventure activities on offer, including archery and Segway safari (at a price), and there’s a games room with a dvd collection next to the bar.

• The lovely Cotswolds Farm Park is 7 miles away and is well worth a visit if you have young children.

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Colette’s review of the Fish hotel in detail

The rooms

The hotel’s 67 bedrooms are located in annexes, so be prepared for a short hike to reach the lodge housing the main reception, bar and restaurant. The staff provide umbrellas and torches for venturing out and you can even request a buggy if you don’t fancy the walk.

We stayed in a spacious junior suite – one of four family-sized rooms – decorated in hues of cream, grey, and duck-egg blue, complete with woodburner, rolltop bath, smart tv, Orla Kiehly toiletries and Nespresso machine. We loved the clean, fresh colour palette of the room, the comfortable beds, and the fact that we had a front porch with logs piled high, which made it feel like our very own hideaway.

The food

Food at the hotel is reasonable but with a limited menu at the bar, which only offers nibbles. The hotel’s new restaurant opened during our stay in March and serves British gastro-pub food – more substance over style yet the sort of thing you’d heartily tuck into after a day in the countryside.

Of the two dining areas in the restaurant, we favoured the large, bright conservatory with the outside terrace an appealing option in the summer. Service is easy-going and relaxed; we noticed a few teething problems with the new set-up, but that didn’t worry us. Breakfast – a hit with my two children – comprised a simple buffet of pastries, toast, fruit, and juices, all beautifully presented, along with table service for hot food and drinks.

Activities

There isn’t a pool although the lovely Dormy House has one (you can’t use it – I checked!) but there are walking trails around the estate and you are a short drive to the pretty village of Broadway. Slightly further afield is Sudeley Castle and Gardens with an outdoor adventure park.

Colette’s verdict

This is an ideal retreat for a country-style weekend with the children…or without. Just remember to leave the heels at home and pack walking boots instead.

And if you too have some stays to share, do not hesitate to contact me.