The Cotswolds is brimming with luxury hotels and the Lygon Arms certainly has a claim on being the finest. Michael Purton spent the night to see just how good the Broadway institution really is.

DATING back 600 years, the Lygon Arms has a rich history and, although the hotel exudes traditional charm, the place also has all the modern touches you expect from a top class luxury venue: stunning suites with technology to make your stay more pleasant, a diverse menu of fantastic dishes across multiple restaurants, a beautiful spa with the latest treatments, and attentive service from friendly and professional staff who are only too keen to carry your cases, park your car for you and do your laundry.

Of course, the Lygon Arms is blessed with an imposing building and setting – the 14th Century coaching inn sits at the heart of picturesque Broadway and is a truly breathtaking sight upon arrival.

Although there has been a multi-million pound refurbishment in the past few years, the Lygon Arms – now part of the Iconic Luxury Hotels group – retains all of its period charm and grandeur (imagine Farrow & Ball in the 1300s and you've pictured the place, and the extension which houses the wing of suites has been created to fit in with that original style.

My companion and I stayed in the 'Worcester' (one of the courtyard suites) and we were immediately impressed, With a super-king size bed, cosy sitting area, opulent bathroom with walk-in shower and free-standing bath, and little touches such as a chilled bottle of champagne and truffle chocolates awaiting us, as well as a Nespresso machine and touchscreen for room service, the place exuded luxury.

Equally impressive were the meals.

We had Sunday lunch in the hotel's main restaurant, the Lygon Bar and Grill, a spectacular great hall with antler chandeliers and oak-panelled walls adorned with paintings of some of the characters of the historic building's past. There, I had the new-to-the-menu Scotch beef wellington (£27) and my companion chose the Windrush ale battered cod and chips with peas, tartare sauce and lemon (£20).

Dinner was in the recently-opened Lygon Wine Bar, a snug little eaterie adjacent to the main building which has an Italian menu and staff in Sicilian-style flatcaps. There, my better half went for the ricotta and spinach tortellini with toasted pinenuts (£12) while I opted for the Italian meatballs with vine tomato and sage tagliatelle (£11), after we'd shared a starter of British cheeses with olives and ciabatta (£12). For dessert, I had the Valhrona bitter chocolate with passion fruit sorbet (£8), while she decided to 'watch her waistline' – and then eat half. With both meals, I had a bottle of the Oldfields medium dry cider (£5, 500ml) which, for cider fans like me, is as close to perfect as it gets; while she thoroughly enjoyed a glass of Sauvignon Blanc (175ml of the 2014 Meltwater Corofin Winery, at £11).

The food throughout lunch and dinner was utterly exquisite and I cannot recommend the Lygon Arms highly enough for the quality of its dishes, with the ingredients sourced locally.

Breakfast was also a treat with a wide selection of cereals and bread and cooked fare (£10 for continental, £20 for cooked). I particularly enjoyed my French toast with honeycomb and crème fraiche and she loved her Eggs Benedict on toasted English muffin with Hollandaise sauce.

On the Sunday afternoon, we made the most of the Lygon Spa. We both had a 60-minute full body massage (£85 each) and she also had a 60-minute 'luxury manicure' (£60) which left her nails looking radiant, and we then enjoyed a swim and some time just lounging and reading. The Lygon is everything a top spa should be: a luxurious, relaxing cocoon away from the stresses of everyday life.

That's probably the best way to describe the whole experience at The Lygon Arms: while there you're swaddled in luxury and comfort and you walk away feeling truly refreshed – and wishing you could stay for just one more night.

I cannot fault the Lygon Arms, which is why I'm awarding top marks - 5 out of 5.

Rooms start from £165 per night but there are so many options and combinations at the Lygon Arms that it's best to visit the website, www.lygonarmshotel.co.uk, or call 01386 852255.