We are desperate for a few days away, but toddlers out of their routine will be a pain, won't they? Not at the Fairfields Hotel, on beautiful Studland Bay in Dorset. This small (12 en-suite rooms) hotel takes child-friendliness to new levels, offering early dinner for kids and a garden full of sit-on, ride-on, push, pull, kick-about toys. You should, it says, be able to stick to your normal routine during your stay.
So we just pack up their paraphernalia and off we go? Not so much of the paraphernalia. Fairfields provides cots, highchairs, baby monitors, books and videos and as much fruit, yogurt, milk and squash as they want.
A real home from home, then? Only if home for you means views over National Trust land to the sea and Dorset cream teas served on the terrace as your little darlings gambol on the lawn.
Hope that cream tea won't spoil your dinner? You can sharpen your appetite by heading through the gate at the bottom of the garden for a brisk half-hour walk to Old Harry Rocks - all chalk columns, arches and crashing waves - and get back in time for the kids' dinner.
Pizza, chips and ice cream? If that's what they want. Your budding Loyd Grossman may prefer homemade fishcakes with fresh vegetables, then fruit crumble and custard.
What happens next? Worn-out with fun and fresh air, the little ones fall fast asleep as the sun sets over the Purbeck Hills (worth hoping) and you wander down to the restaurant, baby monitor primed.
Not more fishcakes? Far from it. I chose warm vegetable and goat's cheese stacks with balsamic dressing, then roast rack of Dorset lamb from a menu that changes daily. The wine list has a Routiers Corps d'Elite award.
What does the next day hold? The nearest of Studland's several beaches is about 10 minutes' walk away. It's secluded, sandy and unspoilt (good old National Trust). The traditional and noticeably untacky seaside resort of Swanage is a few miles down the coast.
Doesn't this sort of child-friendliness come at prices that are not very parent-friendly? Hardly. In high season (June, July, August) dinner, bed and breakfast for two adults costs £120-£140 depending on the room. Children from two to four pay 30 per cent of the adult rate.
· Fairfields Hotel, Swanage Road, Studland, Dorset; 01929 450224.
