I do not try to be fashionable. In fact, some might say I take a malicious pride in being the total opposite. Little do they realise that fashion eventually catches up with me. Take the so-called staycation, a word I hesitate to write, being a stickler for tried and tested language. I’ve been quietly advocating staying at home holidays for years, but now it seems it is no longer a best kept secret. According to Visit England, the number of us making overnight stays in England is up by 16 per cent compared to last year. It seems others have realised there is something rather sensible about staying close to home, especially with a young family in tow.

Let’s face it, airports are a nightmare at the best of times, and other people’s children are bad enough without adding your own to the mix. Equally, travelling long distance by car can be a seriously life-shortening experience. So why bother? Especially if I tell you that you can enjoy a restorative hotel break that gives both adults and children in equal measure a slice of luxury - all within an hour’s drive.

The Four Seasons Hotel Hampshire is set in 500 acres of parkland on the outskirts of Fleet and is a place to really immerse yourself. The Dogmersfield estate traces its origins back to Domesday and is where Henry VIII is said to have first met his future wife, Catherine of Aragon, in 1501. In the 20th century the Georgian house billeted airmen during the war and was latterly a prep school. These days it represents everything so many hotels aspire to be but rarely are.

It was the French aristocrat and fashion designer Hubert de Givenchy who said that luxury is in the detail, and it is the detail which really makes this hotel stand apart from the rest. For one thing, it’s a five star hotel which manages to successfully uphold tradition without feeling at all stuffy. While some have an almost Victorian attitude towards children, this one treats them as guests as much as the adults. Upon checking in, kids get to choose their own toy from a selection. They are also invited to join the hotel’s complimentary and supervised kids’ programme with a range of activities including games, crafts, reading and an exclusive games room for over 10s.

Shown to our room with fine views over the parkland, the marbled bathroom featured a set of colourful letters spelling out our son’s name, a bath duck and even miniature dressing gown. And it didn’t stop there when shortly afterwards room service delivered a personalised jelly in the shape of a mouse. It’s touches like this that really make your whole family feel special.

An early supper for our son in the hotel bar was not too much trouble either, staff catering for every inevitable foible a child is likely to have. Meanwhile, a babysitting service is available via the concierge while adults can dine downstairs in the fine Seasons restaurant. It is well worth reserving a table in front of the French windows to admire the views across the parkland.

The respite for adults continued the next day in the hotel spa, just about the finest I have encountered outside London to date, and set in an 18th century stable block reached through a glass walkway. A 20 metre indoor swimming pool in a conservatory setting connects to an outdoor pool and terrace. As well as steam rooms, saunas, gym and exercise classes, you can be pampered with one of the many treatments available.

While adults relax in the spa, slightly older children can enjoy the new Highwire Adventure, hidden in the woodlands, which features a high and low rope course and a 235m zip wire. The hotel even boasts its own equestrian centre for riders of all ages, with lessons, hacks and the chance to ‘own’ a pony for a few hours. The list of activities goes on, with bikes available to borrow for adults and children, and you can even select a point to stop off for an impromptu barbecue or picnic.

With so much available on one site, the Four Seasons Hampshire is a hotel where it is ridiculously easy to lose all track of time and simply wallow in pleasure. For more information about the hotel and reservations visit www.fourseasons.com/hampshire