The Fish Hotel

My wife and I have just got back from our second visit to The Fish Hotel on the Farncombe Estate near Broadway in The Cotswolds. Once again, we were celebrating her Birthday and our Wedding Anniversary…..and we stayed in one the Hilly (Shepherd) Huts on a dinner, bed and breakfast rate for 3 nights. Again, it’s been absolutely amazing. EVERYTHING and, indeed, EVERYONE is/are simply BRILLIANT……FIRST CLASS!! The setting and the estate is gorgeous…..and service from ALL of the staff have, once again, been exemplary. We can’t wait to return again ❤️

We went away for a anniversary break, and I can genuinely say it was one, if not the best stays we've ever had. We stayed in a hideaway hut called " bottom " ( A midsummer nights dream theme I think) and it was perfect. From the roll-top bath, and roof view of the trees from the bed to the quality bedlinen and dressing gowns. The private hot tub outside was spotless ( I'm a bit funny using hot tubs, but this really was very clean) and sooo relaxing. The egg swing chair and fire pit outside just made our evening complete. They had left us some chocolates and a gift voucher for drinks, which was a wonderful touch. We ate at the Hook restaurant and the meal was lovely. Breakfast was beautiful with some of the best American pancakes I've ever eaten ( please can I have the recipe chef) as well as yogurt, pastries, cereals & a quality full English breakfast that my husband had. Staff were attentive and explained where to go at check in. The only downside was that I had one night ...instead of one week ! Can't wait to go back. A luxury stay !

Stayed for one night for my birthday. Wish we had been able to stay for longer! The hotel is STUNNING. As soon as we entered reception we were blown away with the gorgeous decor. Staff were available right away to check in. Florin gave us lots of information and was incredibly friendly and welcoming. We were directed to our Hideaway Hut which was called ‘Puck’. It was a beautiful cabin with a roll top bath, log fire inside and out and a hot tub. As it was my birthday, I was kindly gifted a card from the team, some beautiful chocolates and a £50 wine voucher for dinner (lovely touch!). They provided wood and matches to light the fires as well as indoor and outdoor footwear, towels for the hot tub etc. They literally couldn’t think of anything else! Dinner in the Hook was one of the best meals out we have had in a long time. The mussels especially were amazing and I definitely recommend the cod Kiev. Staff in the restaurant were very attentive and helpful, same goes for breakfast the next morning. We will definitely be back to stay again, for longer next time!

Stayed here for a 40th Anniversary weekend recently, and overall, we enjoyed our time in the Cotswolds. However, as nice as the Fish and also the wider estate is, there are some quite disappointing elements to the experience. Our hideout cabin was great. They're small and quirky being set in the woodland, but have what you need for a few days away. The hot tubs in little spaces attached are nice, with f8repits and swing seat within the space. Lighting around hot tub would be better if it wasn't so bright, and also, some kind of canopy might be a good addition, to enable their use even if it's raining. Apart from that, no complaints on these spaces, it was good. However, where things fall down is in service and food options, especially at breakfast. More than once we ordered something, and yet, it appeared it was completely forgotten. A half hour wait to be served a dessert isn't great, though to the waitresses credit, we did receive an apology. Main meals during this occasion were quite poor too, which didn't help make for the best experience overall. Breakfast is where things seem to need major improvement though. Our first morning cooked breakfast was all a bit cold, and it just had the feel of being a "that'll do" kind of effort. Bacon maybe slightly undercooked and not hot, poached eggs that were stone cold and a thin slice of black pudding that was served as a semi circular piece the size of half a biscuit. If they were low on it, I'd rather be told that, than be served such a woeful piece. It was pointless. The second morning we decided to skip the English option and chose eggs benedict. This came served on poor quality muffins, not toasted, so doughy and unpleasant, with a slice of cold ham slapped over the muffins below the eggs, which does nothing to help cooked eggs retain heat. It was without doubt the worst eggs benedict I've ever had. All this might seem like nit picking, but when you choose to stay somewhere on a bed and breakfast basis, the morning meal is a significant part of it. People may have planned a busy day ahead or might have to travel some distance, but whatever, when a stay costs what the Fish is charging, it really needs to meet the minimum standard this place is trying to convey it sets. Unfortunately, it didn't meet those standards for us. On that basis, if we visited the Cotwolds again, we'd likely choose an alternative place to stay, because there are numerous options to pick from.

I never normally write reviews but this was an exceptional stay! It felt so much like a home away frrom home. Friendly staff, great food, lovely touches, understated yet stylish and stunning scenery..... only one small issue was a lack of feeling of who was in overall charge otherwise it was amazing and we will def be back!!!

We had a wonderful stay and appreciated the excellent service and little touches in our room and around the hotel. For example complimentary ‘Wine Card’, complimentary bottled water, use of wellies for local walks and complimentary traditional sweets. Dinner at ‘Hook’ was excellent, as was breakfast, both standards of service and quality of food.