Chewton Glen

I was at Chewton Glen on a mother/daughter "bonding" weekend and there could not have been a better place to relax and unwind in. The staff were magnificent - attentive but not overbearing - and I was even given an early Mother's Day present, which made me feel very special.

If I had any criticism at all it would be that the food was good but not exceptional, such as you might expect of this class of hotel.

But I would heartily recommend it for an extended-family holiday with, at the moment, older children/grandchildren. Worth saving up for.

This is a wonderfully luxurious hotel in a very pretty setting with a fabulous spa. Everything about Chewton Glen feels pucker - the rooms, the staff, the food - and yet the hotel manages to retain a laid back and informal, country atmosphere and they're doing more and more to cater for families.

The spa itself has a beautiful indoor pool, a magnificent array of jacuzzis and whirlpools - inside and out - and the treatment I had was as pampering as you'd expect.

Of course it all costs an arm and a leg but you can bag some good deals particularly for spa days and overnight breaks, so make sure to check out the special offers available on their website.