THE FACTS ABOUT BABINGTON HOUSE

England

The rooms at the Georgian country house hotel near Frome, sister to the London members' club Soho House, are pleasant enough, with free-standing bath, decadent bed and sultry music setting the mood. But be warned about the children. You can hear their shrieks as they career down corridors. Steer clear if you are looking for romance. As a family hotel, however, Babington does a very good job. It's cool: there is lounge music in the public rooms, leather armchairs, Martinis and wide-screen satellite TVs. It's comfortable: there are 28 rooms, including five two-bedroom family suites in the stable block. It pampers: The Cow Shed spa features indoor and outdoor swimming pools, there is a crèche and the DVD collection is superlative. It is also almost always full, probably due to the publicity generated by Soho House members (media, mostly) who shout from table to table at dinner. The food is excellent, but there is a lot of rocket and Parmesan shavings, at London prices, and the service can be inattentive. Not that the children will care. Babington House was voted best UK Leisure Hotel in The Readers' Travel Awards 2001. COST Doubles £190-£345; family suites £320-£345 CONTACT Babington House, Babington, near Frome, Somerset (01373 812266; fax: 812112; e-mail: enquiries@babingtonhouse.co.uk; www.babingtonhouse.co.uk)