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In a nutshell: A family-friendly Lakes bolthole with an exceptional spa and CBD treatments. The neighbourhood Benefiting from a picturesque riverside location, complete with gliding swans, grassy terrace and a 15th-century stone bridge, The Swan is conveniently located at the foot of the Lake District, just 20 minutes from the M6. Lake Windermere is a mile away, with Kendall to the east and Ambleside to the north. For a laid-back induction to the region, hop on the Lakeside and Haverthwaite Steam Railway, located five minutes away, for a slice of nostalgia and some glorious scenery. The look The Swan began life in the 17th-century as a coaching inn, but has evolved dramatically in the intervening years. While the whitewashed main building remains, it has been sympathetically restored and expanded. After suffering significant damage in the 2015 floods, the property was substantially refurbished and remains in top-notch condition, with the smell of new paint still detectable in our room. Inside, floral walls, bold prints and sumptuous furnishings abound, alongside more traditional elements, such as oak beams, wooden floorboards and Chesterfield sofas. The hotel also has its own resident artist and illustrator, Olivia Axson, whose work can be found throughout the property. The vibe Relaxed, unstuffy and family-friendly, you can feel your shoulders drop upon arrival at The Swan. While the calibre of hotels in this part of the world has continued to grow, The Swan retains a pleasantly unpretentious feel without scrimping on quality. While many guests visit for the pampering on offer, the hotel balances the demands of both kids and adults beautifully. The surrounding countryside speaks for itself, with many visitors to the region keen to explore its many peaks, but it’s too polished to fall into the category of a traditional walker’s hotel. Bed and bath As part of the recent uplift, The Swan created 26 new bedrooms, including two Splendid suites, Family suites and a bespoke studio cottage for romantic getaways called The Love Nest. However, all 82 rooms and suites have a contemporary feel with blue and green tones reflecting the natural environment. Statement headboards, soft furnishings and wool blankets accompany rainwater showers, while the Loft suites feature exposed beams, roll-top bathtubs and electric log burners for when the weather gets cooler. Read more about Lake District travel: The ultimate Lake District travel guide How to do the Lake District car-free The best Christmas breaks in the Lake District As with everything in the hotel, the emphasis is very much focused on spotlighting local producers, something that extends from the in-room vegan toiletries courtesy of Bath House, to the sustainable carpets made from local wool. Family rooms are spacious, with bespoke bunk beds for little ones and PS4s to keep them entertained. Even the smallest Cosy rooms are attractive, with almost all rooms throughout the hotel offering views over the river or gardens. Guests planning a romantic night away should opt for the Love Nest, a bright, airy and spacious cottage tucked away within the grounds of the property. Features include a private terrace with outdoor fireplace, double walk-in rainwater showers, roll-top bath and indoor log burner. Many of the rooms offer complimentary access to the Holte Spa, while others require a £20 supplement. Food and drink Eating options on offer at The Swan include the health-conscious SOUL cafe adjacent to the Holte Spa. Here, guests can enjoy light meals such as salads, soups and fish dishes on the outdoor sun terrace, or indulge in homemade cakes and sweet treats. On the other side of the property, the Swan Inn serves up classic pub grub, such as fish and chips, burgers and sandwiches in a bright and cheery space, but it’s the Brasserie that really delivers. We devoured bouncy and tender scallops and locally sourced beef, while a helpful wine list suggests varieties based on your personal tastes, all contributing to an accessible and unpretentious dining experience. Service was warm, personable and prompt, despite a packed dining room. The hotel also offers afternoon tea on the riverside terrace in good weather. Pools, spas and public areas The Swan’s Holte Spa opened to much fanfare in April 2022 as the Lake District’s first spa garden. This multi-million pound extension includes a Finnish sauna, outdoor jacuzzi, and chemical-free hydrotherapy indoor pool that extends outside, with jets and waterfalls to relieve tension. Inside the spa, there are six treatment rooms, experience showers, a sauna and steam room, plus plenty of space to lounge and relax. The spa has partnered with three sustainable brands, including OTO, a leading CBD brand, Ground Wellbeing, a natural and plant-based Irish brand, and Comfort Zone, a B-Corp certified skincare. We opted for the OTO Signature CBD Massage Experience which ranks as one of the best massages I’ve ever had. A dream combination of experienced hands, CBD oils and a bamboo roller designed to iron out muscular kinks induced a profoundly deep state of relaxation that saw me floating back to my room with a smile on my face. Other treatments include a Balancing Ritual specifically aimed at perimenopausal and menopausal guests, and a signature Walkers Massage designed to ease aching limbs after a day on the fells. An onsite health club includes a larger pool, hot tub and sauna which was largely populated by families during our visit. Elsewhere, there are plenty of nooks and crannies to chill out in with a book, play a round of pool, or sip a drink on the riverside terrace. Kids can also enjoy an adventure playground and nature trail. Nuts and bolts Room count: 82 rooms and suites and four cottages. Wifi: Free. Extra charges: Guests in Cosy, Lovely and Fabulous rooms must pay a £20 surcharge for Holte Spa access. Disability access: Four accessible rooms with extra space and walk-in showers. The Swan Inn, Holte Spa, health club and snug areas are all accessible for wheelchair users and all external entrances have ramps for guests. Pet policy: Pet pooches are welcome in selected rooms for a £35 nightly surcharge. Bottom line Best thing: The OTO CBD massage experience. Sublime. I’ve waxed lyrical about it to anyone prepared to listen ever since my visit. Worst thing: While easily accessible, the nearby A590 is a busy road meaning the hotel isn’t the best spot for those seeking a quiet and remote stay. Perfect for: Families and spa fanatics. Not right for: Those seeking a hushed getaway. The hotel is busy and there are plenty of intergenerational families with children around. Instagram from: The outdoor pool at the Holte Spa. More information: swanhotel.com Read more of our UK hotel reviews: Best hotels in London Where to stay in the Lake District Best hotels in Edinburgh Read More The best dog-friendly Christmas breaks in the UK The best Christmas hotel breaks by the sea Why you should explore the Cotswolds by bike Why you should explore the Cotswolds by bike Stay in the heart of the action with this bougie new hotel in London’s Covent Garden How to find a stylish countryside escape without compromising on comfort

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In a nutshell: Around the corner from London’s Drury Lane, Hotel Amano in Covent Garden offers a pre-theatre sophistication with an encore of late-night decadence. Its location is hard to beat if you’re a culture vulture, with the West End and all the entertainment, shopping, drinking and dining it has to offer right on your doorstep. The neighbourhood Hotel Amano Covent Garden is tucked right behind the Theatre Royal Drury Lane, which means you’re also a stone’s throw from some of London’s cultural and historical heavyweights. Take a stroll along Embankment before ducking into Somerset House or the Courtauld to admire the latest art exhibitions. From there you can check out the Strand on your way to Trafalgar Square, taking your pick of any number of afternoon teas at the Ritz, the Savoy, the Langham or the Dorchester. Work up an appetite before an evening of dinner and the theatre with a walk around Hyde Park, perhaps stopping to admire Buckingham Palace on your way back. The vibe Despite being smack bang in the heart of London’s flashy, bustling West End, the Amano’s facade is surprisingly dignified. Without the guests walking in and out with their luggage, you could confuse the interior with the entrance of some ultra-exclusive spa. Impressive, yes, but it also feels as though designers Woods Bagot missed a trick, particularly given the hotel’s restaurant, Penelope, is based around the vibrant Israeli-Spanish heritage of Amano co-founder Ariel Schiff. Instead, rooms are business-like and modern, all grey walls and grey felt headboards, with dark wood accents and gold fixtures, along with unremarkable prints of moody women on the walls. For an extra injection of glitz, in the Goldy rooms you’re also treated to a freestanding gold bathtub; bath salts and oils are provided (though some bubble bath wouldn’t go amiss). The rooftop terrace and restaurant are more of the same – classy and elegant, yes, but somewhat lacking in character and originality. Service is mixed. While the reception desk is warm, helpful and efficient, the rooftop staff take some time to attend to a drink spillage, after not one but two requests for napkins. Yet the restaurant team are a delight, with maître d’ Paolo a warm and effusive personality who makes the experience of dining at Penelope feel like you’re visiting a friend’s home. Bed and bath The Hotel Amano has 141 rooms, including its five Goldy suites. Sizes range from “Cosy” to “Roomy Plus” – the former is certainly compact, but still comes with a queensize bed. All the other rooms, from “Comfy” to “Roomy”, have a king bed, coffee and tea station, and plenty of smart storage space. Bathrooms are kitted out with full-size toiletries, including a delightful exfoliating handwash from German brand Daluma. The floor-to-ceiling windows in the corner-set Goldy bedrooms are impressive, sure, but you have to edge around the bathtub in order to close the curtains (the window isn’t made from privacy glass, so unless you’re planning on flashing the cast of Frozen, we’d advise on doing so). Food and drink Penelope has potential to become the crown jewel of the Amano Covent Garden, perhaps after a touch of fine-tuning. Here, the dark and moody decor contributes to the decadent atmosphere set by much of the menu, put together by Shimon Peretz, head chef at Amano’s Mani restaurant in Berlin, and Penelope’s executive chef Fezile Ozalgan, formerly of Barboun, Shoreditch. Start with a pre-dinner cocktail – the intriguing Psichee with tequila, mezcal and squid ink, or the smoky, spicy Pasión de Malaga – before perusing the restaurant’s excellent wine selection. The small plates are a little hit and miss, but winners include the tuna ceviche and rough taboon bread served with green harissa, spicy yogurt and whipped cod’s roe. The main dishes of chicken shawarma with mujaddara and the hake with haricot beans are remarkably salty, which is a shame as both (small) portions are well-cooked. At £25 and £32 a pop, you’d expect a slightly more generous serving. We’re won over by the sinfully rich baklava cheesecake, with its crisp pastry soaked in honey syrup and generous scattering of pistachios. You can find more cheesecake on the rooftop bar menu, along with Israel-style meze, snacks, and mains including a Hereford sirloin, whole seabass and paella. The compact but inventive cocktail list, along with extensive wines, champagne and digestifs, is also available, while the staff are happy to whip up an off-menu (but classic) espresso martini. Breakfast is served in the same space as Penelope, with either a classic continental spread of pastries, breads, fresh fruit, yogurt and cheeses, or hot options including a brilliantly spicy shakshuka (a single egg, as opposed to the plural baked “eggs” advertised on the menu), buttermilk pancakes with figs and orange cream, or smashed avocado and poached eggs. Public areas If you’re looking for a hotel with built-in entertainment, you’re likely to be disappointed. The Amano Covent Garden doesn’t offer amenities outside of the rooftop bar and restaurant, so you’re out of luck if you prefer your hotels to include a spa or gym. But, with so much of London’s best bits on offer within walking distance, it’s hard to imagine you’d feel bored during your stay. Nuts and bolts Room count: 141 rooms including five “Goldy” suites. Freebies: Tea and coffee station, bottle of water. Wifi: Free. Disability access: Accessible rooms come with large wet rooms with benches, while the corridors and lifts can accommodate wheelchairs. Pet policy: Dogs are welcome, with a £10 per night fee per pet. Service animals are exempt from fees. Bottom line Best thing: The location, which is about as close to the action as you could want while still offering a quiet and peaceful atmosphere, and the glamour and fun of the restaurant. Worst thing: For the prices, the dinner menu needs a little work, while the decor could also use a rethink to make it feel more in-keeping with its excellent location. Perfect for: A sophisticated stay for well-heeled couples, or for those looking to be within easy reach of London’s culture while in town on business. Not right for: Families, or those who like to include a morning workout or spa treatment in their hotel stay. Instagram from: The rooftop terrace, either with the surprisingly real-looking floral arrangements in the background, or views towards the South Bank. Read more on best London hotel reviews Read More The best luxury hotels in London for a stylish city break The best spa hotels in London for pampering and indulgence Best boutique hotels in London 2022 How a corner of Whitehall became a playground for the super-rich The Landmark London review Where to watch this year’s Notting Hill Carnival

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