THE wintry wind may have been howling past my windows outside but I was being blown away by the warmth and comfort in my room at the plush palace that is the Welcombe

Inn.

From the doorman's greeting to the smile of the girl on the checkout desk, I felt more welcome than I usually do on a regular hotel stay.

While I was there, golf pro Matthew Roberts gave me a one-hour beginner lesson on the driving range. As I had never taken things further than crazy golf before, I was shocked and proud that I could actually thump the balls straight ahead, yet we doubled up with laughter during moments where I took classic swipes only to realise my ball was still on the tee. A round of golf costs only £40 to guests.

Energised, I stepped into the spa facilities (included in the cost of my stay) on several occasions during my two days there.

The main indoor pool and refreshing outdoor heated pool with water jets were both fabulous. Inside there is a steam and sauna area and four separate themed rooms.

I started with the tepidarium, which is warm and has colour-changing fibre optic lights inside. Next to that was one that is slightly hotter with moulded stone seats that have heated water pipes running through them. My favourite was the steam room, that has lights that pulse like stars in the ceiling and a big chunk of quartz, which is thought to enhance healthy qualities in its users. The sauna was a little too hot for me, so I took another dip in the pool. I felt like Goldilocks with the bears' porridge while I decided which one was just right.

Later I ventured into Stratford, just five minutes away in the car. It is marketed as Shakespeare's birthplace but I avoided trotting around historic houses in favour of something different. There are plenty of shops but what most interested me was the butterfly farm.

For refreshments, I picked the Thai Boathouse on the river bank, in Swan's Nest Lane. They offered a very reasonable lunch menu for under £20 per person, including drinks, and the food was fresh and tasty.

My hotel suite was exquisite. With huge picture windows and plenty of space, light textiles and crisp yet fluffy white bedding, it was really fresh and not as stifling as some classic rooms can feel. The four-poster bed felt regal, with a view of paintings on the wall and curvy furniture to complement the theme.

The bathroom was enormous, with a low bath and a separate shower cubicle, a pair of sinks and huge windows to gaze out of while getting ready for dinner.

Food at the hotel is cooked creatively and presented perfectly. I experienced a super evening meal. With a pre-dinner drink and nibbles while I picked from the menu, and three courses, it was wonderfully indulgent. The only thing that could possibly niggle me on such a perfect evening was the amount of people eating late with small children in the main dining room. One couple had their three children, all under the age of six, and their little ones made such a fuss that it would have been far better for other guests if they had dined earlier or separately.

After dinner, I was ushered to the large plump sofa in front of the roaring open log fire, where I enjoyed coffee and conversation to while away the evening. I felt warmed, satisfied and utterly comfortable. It was like heaven in a hotel.

Later I tiptoed across my room to bed and sank into the comfort of my sheets and slipped off to sleep… as Prospero said, in The Tempest, "We are such stuff as dreams are made on; and our little life is rounded with a sleep."