The Fish Hotel
Located in Broadway, tucked in and high on a hill, is The Fish Hotel. A Luxury family-friendly stay in the Cotswolds that is definitely worth a visit.
THE PROPERTY
The Fish Hotel is a beautiful property comprised of multiple buildings on an expansive lot. They offer a variety of room options, from traditional rooms to larger suites, treehouses, and a home for larger parties. Finding the property can be a bit tricky if you are taking the train into the countryside, as it is tucked away so much that our Uber driver couldn't find it at first. But this is the charm and appeal of this property. It's away from everything, making it really feel like a retreat from the chaotic world. From lush open green spaces, a beautiful pond, and many walking trails, you can really check out the moment you check in. The main building features a beautiful lounge area and the on-site restaurant, Hook, which serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner. The hotel is also dog-friendly and offers a dog bath to wash your dog and treats for pets. They offer you a map of the grounds on how to get around this very vast property, and also how to walk into the town to explore. They also offer you muck boots because, as you may or may not know, the weather in England is quite unpredictable and often rainy, and with all the terrain, it can get muddy. I thought this was a nice offer. They even have a boot washing station for when you are back from your adventures. On-site is also a small playground for children, as well as activities you can partake in, such as archery, axe-throwing, duck herding, tennis, and falconry. As soon as you arrive, you breathe the fresh air of the countryside and immediately relax. It truly is a special place.
THE ROOM
As I mentioned, the hotel offers a variety of rooms, but we chose to stay in the Treehouse, which is arguably the best option! I’m not a big nature person, but this is not a basic tree house; it is a luxury tree house, nicer than some of the luxury hotels we’ve stayed in. And yes, it’s literally in a tree. The room we stayed in was built around a large tree, which served as the pillar for our balcony. We stayed in Treehouse 3, and it was beautiful. The room is small yet spacious and perfect for families. It had its own entrance and patio with two baths situated just outside. When you walk in, to your right is a living room with board games, a TV, and all around cozy vibes. And to your left is a large bed and closet with a coffee station. Toward the back, you will find a kids' bedroom with bunk beds, books, a stargazing machine, and even kids' robes and slippers. And across from the kids' room is the bathroom. They fit a lot in this small space, and the cabin vibes make it extra cozy. Our favorite part had to be the baths, though. We filled them with warm water and the provided bubble bath, then had some relaxing time while the kids played in their room (which they were obsessed with). There is a button you can press while in the tubs to call the front desk and request drinks, which they then deliver to you while you relax in said tubs. Talk about true luxury. I can’t speak to the other rooms, but after staying in the treehouse, I can’t imagine anything being better. They only have a few on-site, so I would book early if you’d like to experience this treat!
THE FOOD
The hotel has an on-site restaurant called Hook, and yes, they do serve fish, among other things. The food was actually delicious, and they had a kids' menu and coloring to keep the kids occupied. It's a casual ambiance, but well-designed and ropes in the cozy yet elevated vibes of the whole property. There is also outdoor seating for warmer days. We visited in October, so it was a little too chilly and rainy to sit outside. The best part of the meal was the sticky toffee pudding, which was absolutely divine. Breakfast here is a buffet with a la carte options on the menu. It’s simple but has everything you need to start the day. They also have a feasting deck where you can enjoy a private meal for 10-20 people.
THE NEIGHBORHOOD
The property is located in Broadway, which is one of the more popular towns in The Cotswolds, but because it’s tucked away, it’s about a 30-minute walk to get into town. They fully equip you for the walk with a map, rain boots, and umbrellas if you so choose. The hotel is perched so high that you can actually see the town below; it’s quite beautiful. We weren’t able to do the walk because it was rainy and very windy during our stay, so we didn’t want to risk getting drenched, and we also didn't have a car. You can get a taxi into the town as well if you don’t feel like walking. If we had more time, we would have explored Broadway more, but we really wanted to enjoy the property in our short stay. The girls loved running in the open fields and looking at the sheep. I love that The Fish hotel lets you relax and explore if you choose. It’s very equipped for both options. We definitely plan to visit again and explore more of Broadway next time. The best way to visit the countryside is to drive, which lets you explore more, especially if you are not staying near a town center, but you must be comfortable driving on the left side of the road.
Overall, I would say this is one of the best family-friendly hotels we have stayed in, and it is the perfect way to visit the English countryside. We had an amazing time here, and I can’t wait to visit again.
See pricing and availability for The Fish Hotel HERE and use my code MISSENOCHA for $$ off.