Homewood Hotel & Spa, Bath

Six miles south of Bath, about a 15-minute drive, depending on traffic. The hotel is set back from the busy A36 - though trees visually block the road from the hotel, traffic is audible. At the rear of the property lie open fields, and pleasant views unfurl across the Avon Valley. Freshford, a mile away, is one of the prettiest villages in the area, and starting point for lovely riverside walks.

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.

Owners Ian and Christa Taylor have really jazzed up Homewood, filling it with an eclectic array of arrestingly-presented art and objects - from a topiary giraffe and bear outside to sets of Staffordshire dog figurines, wall and carriage clocks and a cluster of mismatched chandeliers in public areas. The overall effect is fun, smart and unstuffy.

The Taylors, who have a second hotel in Bath (The Bird), are hands-on, and staff are engaged. There's a generosity of spirit about the hotel - for example, guests have access to a larder of complimentary snacks, like biscuits, sweets, ice cream and soft drinks.

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

The bedrooms are all individually designed, typically with upbeat colour schemes, prettily-patterned cushions, chandeliers and one-off artworks. Higher-grade rooms have big fancy bathrooms with a separate bath 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

Olio, Homewood's restaurant, offers a wide range of Mediterranean-inspired and classic British dishes utilising local ingredients. Along with a cosy, art-filled bar and chandelier-festooned dining room, there's a large terrace designed for drinking and eating the whole year round.

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

Valentine's Bar: cocktails, draught and bottled beers, premium spirits, fine wines. Open every day noon-11pm.