ONE of Malvern’s gems, a hotel with one of the most stunning views in the county has had a stylish refurbishment, complementing its fresh and sophisticated menu.

The Cottage in the Wood hotel, known for its beautiful outlook, is the perfect place for a getaway at any time of the year.

The swanky, modern bar, with its fabulous list of cocktails, leads into the uniquely decorated restaurant, with charming hedgehogs and squirrels climbing trees on the wallpaper and earthy tones in the upholstery making you feel as though you are dining in a scene from A Midsummer Night's Dream.

The hotel is just as well known in the area for the food. Head chef Mark Redwood is inspired by the local area and produces classic dishes using modern techniques.

For my starter I chose the pickled and roasted butternut with malt-glazed chicory, pumpkin seeds, shallots, sage, and Jerusalem artichokes.

For my main course I went for the charred soy-glazed Tenderstem, with mushrooms, mushroom purée, black garlic, seaweed, chilli, sesame, Marmite, hazelnut dressing.

The Marmite really brought the dish together, bringing out the sweetness of the Tenderstem, and the puree was also a real treat.

My partner had venison lasagne trompettes, parmesan, sage, and hazelnuts for starter, and The Cottage Pie, black treacle braised oxtail and beef shin, celeriac crumb, truffle mash for main course.

He was very complimentary about both courses, especially the pie.

All of the elements complemented and enhanced each of the flavours and textures resulting in utterly mouthwatering dishes.

For dessert I chose dark chocolate mousse, semi-dehydrated sponge, with blood orange and cardamom ice cream. This was possibly the best dessert I have ever had and I couldn’t recommend it more. Every element was perfect and the overall dish was so decadent and colourful.

The menu also has an extensive drinks and cocktails list and all the dishes have recommended pairings.

The spacious rooms, with a huge beds are as comfortable as you could hope for and I was lucky to have one with a walk out balcony, giving me the chance to wake up to the breathtaking view across Malvern and Herefordshire, and take in some fresh air to start my day.

The room had tea and coffee and fresh milk could be found in a fridge in the building which was signposted.

There is a great choice of breakfast options, with a buffet with fruit, cereals, toast and croissants with a selection of preserves, or cooked breakfast can be ordered. I had poached eggs and avocado on toast, and helped myself to a couple of things from the buffet.

The tables in the restaurant are positioned in front of huge double windows so you can take in the romantic setting while you dine (in the summer, it's possible to sit outside.

The hotel is perfectly situated, only a short walk to the hills, well worth exploring. The staff are more than happy to give you some directions to the best walks or any other activities Malvern has to offer, including taking a trip into Malvern itself, a town packed full of history with lots of cafe’s and shops.

A 10-minute drive away is the lovely little town of Ledbury, with it supply of quirky shops there.

The Cottage in the Wood is a real treat and nowhere in the area is more appropriate for a cosy weekend away from the hustle and bustle, submerged in the countryside.