Review of Calcot Manor, by Liat Joshi

What sets Calcot Manor apart from other properties of its ilk is the way it caters so adeptly to both couples seeking romance and families seeking an escape, without compromises for either tribe.

So how does a hotel that's so fantastically family-oriented manage to avoid feeling over-run with screaming kids? The Management's clever strategy has been to ensure there are places that are child-free, too, so you can escape the little people (be they yours or someone else's).

For example, of the restaurants, the gastro-pub style Gumstool Inn welcomes younger guests with wide open arms, whilst the more formal Conservatory is adults-only, other than at breakfast-time.

The facilities

Prime draw for grown-ups is the impressive 17,000-square foot spa. Upstairs, lounge about in the relaxation area or the sauna and steam room, or book in for a treatment. Unusually adept therapists offer everything from blissful Aromatherapy Associates Rose Indulgence facials to the rather intimidating sounding CACI 'non-surgical facelift' (micro-currents will "lift and re-educate muscles").

Downstairs, there's an indoor pool, exercise studio, smallish gym and cafe, which pleasingly digresses from the usual healthy spa menu with its naughty but nice homemade cakes and champagne.

Despite all this, the attraction you can bet most of those stressed out parents who've deposited kids at the crèche head to first is the glorious outdoor hot tub. Set beside a log fire in a sheltered position, it's designed for year-round use, and provided you can endure a quick dash in your bathrobe across the courtyard, there's something especially heavenly about soaking there on a winter's day.

No less relaxing for parents is the knowledge that, whilst they do this, the crèche their children are in is Ofsted registered, spotlessly clean and so full of alluring toys and activities that toddlers will be tantrumming at the mere mention of having to leave. Most importantly, unlike at all too many hotel childcare facilities, staff here are well-qualified and seem genuinely pleased to see their little charges.

For activities en famille, Calcot Manor also offers a trim trail, kids' playground, bike trails and an outdoor pool. Family dining at The Gumstool Inn involves a strong selection of real ales (clearly for the parents only) and gastro-pub grub capably put together with local produce. Children's meals from the dedicated menu include healthy, more imaginative options, as well as standard mini-crowd pleasers such as fish and chips. There's also a late afternoon children's supper that's free of charge.

The rooms

Calcot Manor's 35 rooms and suites range from just big enough, to those resembling small houses. Malmesbury, and Woodchester for instance, are two bedroom duplex suites with wow-factor bathrooms and their own gardens.

All the rooms have been individually interior designed as part of a rolling refurbishment over the last few years. Former guests who visited prior to the revamp will find decor vastly improved, with the new look employing calming colours and a style that could perhaps be best-described as cosy contemporary.

Bathrooms in standard rooms are well-kitted but the show-stealers are in the suites, with large sleigh baths and capacious walk-in showers. Goodies include Aromatherapy Associates potions (the large bottles aren't to become take-home toiletry swag, so splash it on liberally during your stay). Elsewhere in the rooms, techy treats encompass flat-screen tellies and Bose stereos.