Picture postcard view from the comfort of bed

PICTURE postcard views from the bed of a hotel room, I believe, are pretty rare. Other buildings, the sky, people going in and out of shops - I’d go as far as to say they’re about as common, using a football analogy, as a Spurs Premier League win under Juande Ramos (he was sacked last Saturday after no wins in eight matches this season).

You certainly don’t get a full length window opening out on to a beautiful lake full of wildlife going about their own business under the warming sun and beautiful blues skies - without even raising one’s head off the pillow! Welcome to the Cotswold Water Park Four Pillars Hotel (www.cotswoldwaterparkhotel.co.uk) in South Cerney, near to historic Cirencester.

Staying in a stunning Lakeside Suite had many benefits but the view as I opened my eyes that Sunday morning will stay with me forever.
It wasn’t the only plus point though. But where do I start? Was it the lounge that is almost as big as the one at Chez Blair, with the corner sofa that can seat not one but two families?

Or the second-to-none bathroom facilities with a walk-in double shower - minus the bath, which has been brought into the bedroom? Maybe it was the comfortable king-sized bed or another lounge area just outside the door to the room, off which there is a balcony covered in sunshine the whole day long?

It felt like all my home comforts had been put together and placed in the one corner of this ultra-modern but beautifully designed hotel. The only thing missing was the kitchen sink, so as you can see you get a lot of bang for your buck here! I haven’t even mentioned the leisure facilities which are every bit as impressive as those I’ve experienced at other hotels I’ve previously featured.

There’s the very relaxing and therapeutic 11-metre hydrotherapy pool, the big sauna and steam rooms overlooking the pool and beautiful grounds and a drench shower which releases a burst of cool water - a vital part of the genuine spa experience. I didn’t go as far as the gym but got chatting to one of the other guests and he assured me it was completely state-of-the-art and everything you could wish for was there.

After working up an appetite(!) my wife and I headed off to the hotel restaurant for our evening meal. It's at this point I would mention the same day we were at Cotswold Water Park there was a big conference and a wedding - the reasons, I guess, why we had a very limited evening menu to choose from.

That’s not to say the choice wasn’t great and the food that was served wasn’t good because it was - I just imagine both would normally be more impressive. I opted for prawn cocktail while Mrs B opted for the pate. Both were very enjoyable. For mains I plumped for chicken wrapped in pastry, which was succulent and very filling. My better half finally settled on a good-sized piece of salmon and vegetables.

Having earlier been at the adjoining Old Boathouse and seen some of the wonderful food coming from the kitchens there, we did leave the Lakeside restaurant a little disappointed. However, as we drove away from this fabulous hotel the following morning, we could not stop talking about our room.

Breathtaking, luxurious, amazing - the superlatives kept flowing all the way back to Birmingham. But don’t take my word for it - do yourself a favour and pay a visit - it'll be money well spent.

Paul Blair stayed at the Cotswold Water Park Four Pillars Hotel, Lake 6, Spine Road East, South Cerney, Gloucestershire, GL7 5FP. For more information telephone 01285 864000 or visit www.cotswoldwaterparkhotel.co.uk

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