Whether you’re a person or pooch, this countryside hotel makes a wonderful spot to lounge.

I share my life with two senior rescue dogs called Babe and Gizmo. They are excellent company on road trips, so I love finding new dog-friendly places to take them. Luckily for us, the dog-travel industry is booming, and as a result, the hospitality industry is opening its doors to our pets. As my two are older dogs, they don’t need lots of exercise these days. They like comfy sofas, naps by open fires, lots of human attention, and a few tasty treats now and then! The Fish Hotel gives us all of that and more. Nestled within the 500-acre Farncombe estate, which sits high above the picturesque village of Broadway in the Cotswolds, the staff is doggy- trained to a high standard. There are plenty of water stations dotted around, and there is an authentic, relaxed atmosphere in the luxe-Scandi-style lounge areas. Guests sip cocktails, snack and unwind from life outside this remote compound, and the waft of smoke that’s coming from the wood burners is extra comforting. Because my two are spoiled (so I’m told!) they prefer lying on the sofa to the floor, and this can understandably cause problems in less dog-proof places.

The stylish bar area offers special dog mats to cover the lush velvet sofas, which helps get my two off to sleep in minutes, leaving me free to work and have a cheeky afternoon cocktail. I can hear giggles coming from behind the bar as staff listen to Babe’s not-so-ladylike snoring. It’s hard to believe a dog so small can snore that loudly! The food menus here work well, offering a wide range of well-crafted cocktails, bar food, and an à la carte menu from The Fish’s in-house restaurant, Hook. At breakfast, the dogs get bowls of sliced sausage – compliments of the chef! I have excellent coffee and scrambled eggs. Even with the choice of food available in nearby Broadway, it would be hard to match Hook. Its seafood-inspired menu mixes flavours and twists classics. The unusual seaweed, peanuts and radish salad is so tasty I have it several times over my stay, but there are more typical standards, such as tuna tartare, scallops, chicken and steak, on the menu too.

The hotel centres around the main Lodge, which houses Hook restaurant (doggos are not allowed in the restaurant, but the full Hook menu is served in the lounge areas, where they are more than welcome) and plenty of indoor and outdoor sofa areas. To one side there’s the converted stable buildings, with private, ground-floor rooms with wood burners, tea stations, a complimentary mini bar, and plenty of open space for hounds to run around and explore. (This is next to the ‘hooman’ activity area, where archery and axe throwing are held.) Follow the pathway around the Lodge, and you will discover more accommodation, including the deluxe shepherd hut area, and several luxury tree houses surrounding the lake. The Fish is so much more than a hotel. It’s a stylish hideaway that feels a bit like a luxury commune, offering many ways to experience your stay. For us, it balanced pooch pampering with privacy perfectly.