For a family of three, finding a place to stay that actually feels like a vacation can be difficult. The staff at Calcot Manor set up magnetic letters spelling out “Coralie” on the bedroom door, which made the parents smile from ear to ear.
A Family Suite with Separate Spaces
The family suite, located just outside the Cotswold village of Tetbury, felt more like a high-end lodge than a standard hotel room. It spanned two floors and was designed to keep a young child happy while giving the parents a separate living area. A travel cot was already made up with fresh linens, and a box full of baby gear sat ready for use. This included a changing mat, a bottle warmer, a steriliser, a bottle brush, and Fairy Liquid.
Parents can relax knowing their child is nearby. The suite had a log burner and a pile of novels in the lounge, but the parents had little time to enjoy them. The kitchenette offered a complimentary sourdough loaf, English jams, marmite, Tony’s chocolate bars, posh popcorn, and crisps.
Related: Top 3 iPhone Photo Recovery Tools Tested
Childcare and Dining Options
Calcot Manor offers two dining options. The Brasserie serves a three-course meal, while The Hive functions as a more informal café lounge. Guests can enjoy afternoon tea and cocktails there.
The hotel provides a “Playbarn” that accepts children of all ages. Younger guests can enjoy up to four hours of play every day, with sessions running from 9:00am until 1:00pm or from 1:30pm until 5:30pm. The hotel employs nannies to watch the children, giving parents a chance to escape for a few hours. One parent described the relief of seeing other weary parents doing the same thing in the sauna or relaxation rooms.
The stay offered a rare opportunity for the parents to enjoy themselves. They planned to play disc golf and ride mountain bikes, but ultimately decided they needed to do nothing in the spa. The hot water of the Jacuzzi contrasted with the cool autumnal air, and a log fire burned under a sheltered stone patio nearby.
