Review: The Lakes by Yoo – luxury living in the Cotswolds

Many luxury hotels are great for a night or two – maybe even for a long weekend. But when it comes to longer stays, where you might like to bring along children, friends or family members, they are less ideal. That is where The Lakes Hotel & Residences by Yoo comes in.

Located in the Cotswolds hamlet of Lechlade-on-Thames, near Swindon, The Lakes was co-founded by John Hitchcox and celebrated designer Philippe Starck, who worked with a range of other design partners, including Kate Moss, Kelly Hoppen and Jade Jagger, to create a space that is both peaceful and somewhere where people can come together.

There are some smaller suites for individual couples as well as a two-bedroom, two-bathroom cabin, but the majority of the accommodation on the luxury estate is made up of three-bedroom lakeside apartments, which can be rented by the night.

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They have been designed in an open-plan style, combining the luxury of hotel rooms with elegant en-suite bedrooms with the practicality of holiday lets thanks to the fully stocked kitchens and large living rooms.

Each bedroom also has access to a balcony and I enjoyed reading in the fresh air, watching the last rays of the summer sun setting over the lake each evening.

Top chefs take over for a night

You can quite happily use the facilities in the apartments to cook for yourself. The basics, including bread, milk and jam, are provided. But I have to confess I was tempted into visiting the restaurant each night during my stay.

The Lakes Bar & Kitchen is located in a lavishly furnished giant tent and it has a glorious waterside view. The menu caters for a wide range of tastes, from burgers to smoked salmon and seabass fillets.

There is also the option of ordering a pizza from the restaurant to be delivered to your suites, which is convenient for families and groups.

For guests who prefer ultra-fine dining, the Lakes Bar & Kitchen regularly puts on a series of supper clubs, where a world-class chef takes over the kitchen for a night.

Recent chefs who have taken part include Conor Gadd from restaurant Trullo and Christopher Davey from The Cotswold Guy.

Emily Roux, the daughter of Michel Roux Jr, will take charge on Saturday, 22 November.

I particularly enjoyed the lean, yet tender, lamb souvlaki, which was served with flat bread, yoghurt, herbs and with truffle chips on the side. The breakfast options are similarly varied. They include healthy options, such as granola, as well as locally sourced mushrooms and, naturally, smashed avocado on sourdough toast.

Again, I have to confess that I succumbed to the temptation to taste some of the exquisite buttermilk pancakes that were on offer, with maple syrup and blueberries. The signature “YOO Breakfast” – essentially a “full English” with sourdough toast – is also more than hearty enough to set you up for the day.

Activities and spa treatments

What really sets The Lakes By Yoo apart from other luxury properties is the sheer range of activities on offer. Those feeling particularly energetic can burn off their energy in the cricket nets, tennis courts or football field, while the particularly adventurous can brave the climbing wall and zip wire.

There is a children’s club for parents looking for a little respite. And it is also possible to rent a boat and sail on any of the ten freshwater lakes on the estate, or just do what I did and take advantage of the bicycles that are provided by the hotel to cycle along the various paths that criss-cross the estate.

Of course, after you have smashed aces on the tennis court, zipped through the air and scrambled up the climbing wall, you will probably want to wind down at some point. A visit to the excellent spa will be in order and I very nearly fell asleep during my massage.

The spa facilities include a swimming pool with a hot tub, as well as a fully stocked gym. You can also take part in the daily fitness classes, ranging from strength training to Pilates and yoga, should you still have energy left to burn.

The Lakes by Yoo offers the best of all worlds, then. You have the convenience of a stay at a top-end hotel – with for example, the restaurant and spa, and the friendly staff – combined with the freedom of being able to cook and do your own thing in your own, private apartment or suite, which makes it ideal for groups. It’s almost like being part of a community.

Matthew was a guest of The Lakes by Yoo, which offers a wide range of accommodation from a Garden Room from £295 a night right through to a three-bedroom lakeside apartment from £995 a night.

The Emily Roux Supper Club at the Lakes Bar and Kitchen costs £120 per person (and £200 per person including wine pairing). Room packages start from £625 per night, based on one night B&B, and includes two tickets to Emily Roux Supper Club. Visit thelakesbyyoo.com for details, or call 01367-254260.

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