Award-winning restaurant Michael’s in Chipping Campden opened a bed and breakfast last summer. Michael Purton visited to see if the accommodation is as good as the food.

Woolmarket House in Chipping Campden’s High Street was shortlisted for a prestigious hotel industry award mere months after opening last year, a sign that the B&B was meeting the high standards set by the restaurant below, Michael Mediterranean.

Both establishments are run by Sarah and Michael Alexiou and, with so many people travelling from afar to visit the renowned restaurant, opening a B&B for guests was a logical extension.

Woolmarket House was shortlisted for the ‘Most Beautifully Presented’ prize at the Eviivo Awards – which celebrate the best of Britain’s bed and breakfasts, guest houses, inns and small, independent hotels – and the design of the boutique B&B is certainly impressive.

Set in a 17th century listed townhouse, Woolmarket House comprises of four guest rooms each tailored for guests who expect luxury mixed with period charm. They all feature designer fabrics, antiques, large televisions and sprawling comfortable beds, as well as a stylish en-suite bathroom with underfloor heating and premium eco-friendly products courtesy of Bramley.

Our room was particularly stunning, with walls adorned with artworks by celebrated painter Jeremy Houghton – who lives locally and was resident artist at Prince Charles’ Highgrove estate among other accomplishments – a free-standing rolltop bath at the foot of the bed, and vast windows overlooking the High Street where, to our good fortune, the town’s Christmas festival was taking place, creating a sense of wonder in the Cotswold idyll.

Parts of the building date back over 300 years and the property has a history of serving the local community, having formerly been a Lyons Tea Room, grocers and antique shop. But the Alexious have not been complacent and relied on the historic building to provide Woolmarket House’s appeal. Instead, they have added sparkling little touches to enhance guests’ stay; for example, the breakfast table cutlery is provided by iconic silverware designer Robert Welch, whose home shop is just a few yards down the street, while each room has a Nespresso machine and a generously stocked refreshments tray featuring Huffkins Cotswold bakery shortbread.

These little touches, coupled with the gorgeous setting, make staying the night at Woolmarket House a truly enchanting experience.

The majority of guests who stay at the B&B will dine at Michael’s Mediterranean, helmed by Michael Alexiou who has over 40 years’ experience as a professional chef and clearly retains his enthusiasm and flair for cooking creative dishes.

When we dined there on a Saturday night, I chose the calamari with garlic mayonnaise (£9.95) to start, the Kleftico lamb shank cooked in wine and mountain herbs (£17.95) for my main, followed by panna cotta with seasonal berries (£6.95) for dessert. My companion opted for sizzling mushrooms in garlic butter (£7.95), moussaka with Greek salad (£16.95) and ice cream and sorbets (£6.95), and we shared a bottle of sauvignon blanc to accompany the meal.

Both meals were superb, living up to the high expectations set by the numerous awards Michael’s has won over the years as well as the quality of the B&B. The atmosphere was also excellent; although the restaurant was full, the clever layout afforded a degree of privacy and intimacy, while the open fireplace and Cotswold stone chimney adds a touch of grandeur to the compact dining space.

In the morning, after a comfortable night in the super king-sized bed, breakfast was served in the small dining area outside the rooms and comprised of an impressive buffet with muesli, cereals, fresh fruit, yoghurt, toast, croissants and orange juice, all sourced from the local farmers’ market, butchers and bakers, and artisan producers. There was also cooked fare including porridge, a full English breakfast, and smoked salmon and eggs. There’s even a ‘breakfast to go’ service for those in a rush. Of course, fresh coffee and tea is plentiful supply too.

As with the room and evening meal, breakfast was fantastic and a level above the offering of most hotels including the boutiques for which the Cotswolds is renowned.

As you can see, Woolmarket House and Michael’s Mediterranean are quality establishments and, set in such a picturesque Cotswold market town, a weekend hosted by the Alexiou family comes highly recommended.

SCORE: 5/5

A room for two with breakfast starts from £140.

See woolmarkethouse.com or call 01386 840374 for more on the B&B

See michaelsmediterranean.co.uk or call 01386 840826 for more on the restaurant