Homewood Hotel & Spa, Bath

Set back from the bustling A36, the hotel is shielded from the road by trees, although you can still hear the traffic noise. Behind the property are open fields, with delightful views across the Avon Valley. Just a mile away is the picturesque village of Freshford, a lovely starting point for scenic riverside walks.

You're six miles south of Bath, about a 15-minute drive, depending on traffic.

By car: the hotel is 2 hours 40 mins from London, 2 hours from Birmingham and 1 hour 40 mins from Southampton. There is free parking on-site.

By train: London Paddington to Bath Spa takes 1 hour 20 mins. After that either take a 15-minute taxi to the hotel, or a 20-minute connection to Freshford then a 5-minute taxi. Book trains to Bath Spa.

With the space and comfortable ambience reminiscent of a country-house hotel, yet with modern touches, this hotel is popular with couples and families. Interiors are eclectic, from framed stuffed birds and portraits of Hollywood icons to tapestries depicting country life.

There's a generosity of spirit about the hotel, evident in perks like guest access to a complimentary larder stocked with treats - biscuits, sweets, ice cream and soft drinks. The Taylors are proprietors of another hotel in Bath (The Bird) and actively oversee operations. Staff are highly attentive.

• Bar
• Restaurant
• Terrace
• Gardens
• Heated pool
• Spa
• Family-friendly
• Pet-friendly
• Free parking
• Free Wi-Fi

Individually designed, brightly coloured rooms are decked out with one-off artworks, prettily-patterned cushions and chandeliers. The higher grade rooms feature spacious, upscale bathrooms with a standalone bathtub and walk-in rainforest shower.

Room types: Elegant, Marvellous, Junior Suite, Hot Tub Suite, Mallingford Mews

Key amenities: ensuite bathroom with 100 Acres Apothecary toiletries, Hypnos mattress, coffee-making facilities, homemade biscuits, TV, free Wi-Fi

Homewood's restaurant, Olio, has a diverse menu of Mediterranean-inspired and classic British dishes crafted from local ingredients. There's also a snug, art-filled bar, an elegantly adorned dining room and a spacious terrace suitable for year-round drinking and dining. The Sunday lunch sharing board includes local roast beef and pork loin, and a mushroom and butternut squash nut roast.

Olio: Mediterranean dishes, local produce, small plates, pizzas, outdoor terrace. Open daily for breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea and dinner. Mains from £18.