Cotswold oasis Calcot Manor achieves that rare triumph of being both spoiling for adults and wonderfully engaging for children. In fact, the kids’ activities are so good that you won’t feel remotely guilty about slinking off to the rather wonderful spa…
Spread across a 700-year-old farmhouse and its outhouses, the family accommodation reflects the hotel’s equal commitment to grown-up decadence and child-friendly facilities. Expect Aromatherapy Associates toiletries and Hypnos mattresses alongside a 5-star selection of kids’ books and DVDs.
Rooms: Like all the rooms, the Family Suites are decorated in muted Farrow & Ball colours, with wall–to-wall beige carpets and cosy furnishings. They also benefit from a bunk- or twin-bedded kids’ room with its own DVD and inbuilt monitor. The slightly smaller Family Rooms have a double bed and 2 truckle beds in one large space.
Food: In keeping with its ‘something-for-everyone’ approach, Calcot Manor has two excellent dining options. For a country-pub ambiance with open fires, leather armchairs and ale on tap, head to The Gumstool Inn (think well-executed comfort food). For candlelit tables, wood-roasted sea bass and a comprehensive wine list, book into the Conservatory Restaurant (though you’ll want to get a babysitter for the kids – less than the price of a main course). The breakfast offers just as much choice along its 3-table buffet (supplemented by good cooked dishes), and – crucially – kids are looked after at every turn
Kids’ activities: It’s hard to know where to begin. There’s a playground with slides and timber towers for juniors, 2 all-weather tennis courts, bikes to borrow, an indoor and outdoor pool, and even horse-riding. Kids will also love the Playzone, which is full of great toys and wonderful carers, and older children can have a blast on the Playstations, Wii and cinema in the Mez area. Best of all, though, is the abundance of on-site activities for adults to indulge in (massages, cycling, yoga) while their kids are busy.
Baby equipment: You’ll find ‘baby boxes’ with changing mats, sterilisers and more, as well as baby bedding and stair gates for rooms that need them.