Hotel that's fit for a king!

Relaxing with a drink by the ancient log-burning fire, it was clear this was to be the quintessentially English break.

Surrounded by oak beams, ivy-draped walls, fine antiques and the rolling green fields of the Cotswolds, it was easy to drift back to an earlier, distinctly more cultured era.

The Lygon Arms, nestled in the picturesque village of Broadway, has long been a favourite stop-off point for regal visitors.

The site dates back to the 14th Century and it served both sides of the Civil War in the 1600s. Charles I regularly met his supporters there while Oliver Cromwell stayed the night before the decisive battle of Worcester.

In 1986 the Lygon Arms was bought by the prestigious Savoy group which boasts London's Savoy, Claridge's and The Berkley among its world-renowned outlets.

The Lygon Arms combines its unique historic grandeur and polite, efficient service with the latest leisure and luxuries of the 21st Century.

Relaxing in its homely, antique-furnished lounges or dining in the Great Hall, complete with stags heads, suits of armour and oak-panelled walls, visitors cannot fail to be struck by its overwhelming sense of history.

But visitors can also make use of the state-of-the-art Lygon Arms Country Club with its superb heated indoor swimming pool and spa bath. In the summer months the roof can be drawn back to make the very most of the English sunshine.

There are also jacuzzis, saunas, solaria and a steam room as well as health and beauty rooms for those wishing to pamper themselves. The less-active sportsmen and women might feel at home in the billiard room while fitness fanatics can head for the fully- equipped fitness centre and gym.

The Inn's 65 rooms and suites are evenly split between the original structure and the more recently-built Garden and Orchard Wings.

One of the oldest quarters, the King Charles I Suite, not only contains a huge, ancient four-poster bed, but also comes complete with its own secret tunnel.

Every one of the rooms has its own distinctive character, being individually decorated and furnished in a traditional country house style. Many of the rooms feature fine antiques dating back hundreds of years.

The newer wings, although still luxurious, instantly appear more modern and contain everything needed to cater for its visiting businessmen and women including fully-equipped conference rooms.

Dining in the Great Hall is a luxurious affair. A grand open fireplace forms its centrepiece below and imposing barrel-vaulted ceiling.

Set above the hall is the 17th Century Minstrels' Gallery which looks down over its suits of armour and stags' heads mounted upon the polished oak panelling.

The menu is equally impressive, offering imaginative interpretations of authentic British dishes using classical French techniques. The Inn's own gardens supply fresh herbs and fruit and other ingredients used in the kitchen are bought locally. A typical meal at the hall would be roast rib of Scottish beef with roast potatoes, glazed shallots and timbale of mushrooms.

In warmer weather the Lygon Arms opens its atmospheric patio garden which can seat up to 30 diners.

Adjoining the building is the Inn's own brasserie Oliver's with its own street-front entrance. Here, the atmosphere is more relaxed and the food offers a modern alternative selection to the Great Hall.

The village Broadway itself encapsulates the idea of a picturesque English village. There are plenty of guided walks through the rolling Cotswold countryside, or visitors might want to browse through it many antique shops and galleries.

For the more active, staff can arrange everything from trout fishing, shooting and horseriding to tennis, golf and even gliding tuition. There is even a helicopter available from the Inn's own helipad by prior arrangement.

There are a number of fine stately homes within a short distance and Stratford-Upon-Avon, the home of Shakespeare, is easily accessible.

Possibly one drawback to this quaint village is that it can easily become a tourist trap in the summer months with crowds of visitors filing through its central street.

And don't forget to check your bank balance before you go. You'll be treated like royalty - at a right royal price!

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.