Stay Here: The Fish Hotel, CotswoldsBy Angelica Malin
Looking for an amazing mini break in the UK? It’s about time you discovered The Fish Hotel in the Cotswolds – the perfect place for an escape from the big smoke this summer. Here’s everything you need to know about this beautiful countryside hotel:
The Fish Hotel Review: The Lowdown
When you need a break from London, the Cotswolds has it all – stunning scenery, delicious local produce (hello, afternoon tea), boutique hotels and a sense of calm you just don’t get in the city. The Fish Hotel is not like other hotels in the Cotswolds – part of the Farncombe Estate, in Broadway, it’s a collection of quirky hotel houses and huts nestled in a hillside within an amazing 400-acre estate. It’s a country hotel with a perfect balance of activity and calm – you can enjoy the great outdoors here with a range of sporting activities, or just take it easy with your feet by their roaring fire and sip a cup of Earl Grey. Perfection.
The Fish Hotel Review: The Accommodation
The accommodation is really, truly beautiful – country chic with a touch of class, the rooms are calming, with a luxury feel throughout. We were really impressed with the design of the hotel, it’s truly welcoming and makes you feel at home almost instantly. There’s 68 contemporary bedrooms in the hotel, located on the hillside and throughout separate buildings, so there’s a feel sense of air and space at The Fish. The rooms range from Cosy – country hideaways with all you need for a relaxed getaway in the Cotswolds – to The Fish’s Cosy Luxe Room with more space and bigger beds. For ultimate luxury, go for the Spacious room, which is the very best at The Fish. The Fish’s four Spacious rooms are the hotel’s biggest, and most likely the best, with patio areas, wet rooms, wood-burning stoves and super king beds. Yes, please.
What’s more, The Fish has recently opened five new Shepherds Huts. The charming “Hilly Huts” have comfortable double beds, en-suite bathrooms, a wood-burning stove and an outdoor decking area with a chimenea with own private hot tub. Magical.
The Fish Hotel Review: The Food
The Fish Hotel’s restaurant is worth travelling for alone. Light, bright and pleasant, the restaurant is a great spot for romantic dinner for two; the menu is simple, focusing on quality produce and seasonal flavours. In the evening, you can expect dishes such as beer battered haddock with mushy peas and squash, beetroot and goat’s cheese salad with pistachio.
The restaurant is famous for their Sunday roasts, with delights such as Farncombe lamb, slow roasted leg and sea bass braised fennel shoulder and beetroot wellington. The food here is really the Cotswolds on a plate – and you’ll really taste the best of the countryside at the restaurant. If you’re staying at the hotel, you’ll enjoy their delicious breakfast buffet, which features delights such as local eggs, crusty sourdough bread, natural yogurt and fresh fruit.
The Fish Hotel Review: The Activities
There’s so much to do at The Fish with a 400-acre playground on the doorstep – from easy country strolls along the estate to more serious biking and hiking, you’ll be spoilt for choice. There’s lots of indiviudal activities on offer, including archery, a Segway safari and quad biking! And, of course, nothing can be nicer than a stroll in nearby Broadway for a traditional Cotswolds afternoon tea – or explore one of the other villages in the Cotswolds. If you’d rather stay inside, the games room in the Lodge, features shoot pool, darts and bean bags for relaxing. We won’t judge you if you just want to chill all weekend, glass of wine in hand, because that’s OK too.
Rates at The Fish Hotel start from £120 per room, per night including breakfast and VAT. For further information or to book visit www.thefishhotel.co.uk or call 01386 858000
