The Fish Hotel

The Fish is a lovely comfortable hotel, our room was lovely and the setting beautiful. The only thing that we felt let it down was the food which whilst OK wasn’t really what we expected and lacked a bit of thought / care or maybe finesse ? and didn’t quite match everything else about the hotel. This was the only disappointing element to our otherwise wonderful stay.

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.

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 ❤️