It's all plane sailing now

The last time I visited Runnymede-on-Thames I said it resembled the Crossroads Motel, purely for its unappealing 1970s low-rise red-brick exterior.

A recent visit to the now revamped hotel revealed a whole new look. The uninspiring exterior remains but Design LSM, the genius team of architects behind the jaw-droppingly beautiful and award-winning Galvin la Chapelle restaurant in Shoreditch, has worked wonders on a hotel that had many redeeming features but desperately needed some style.

The hotel now maximises its glorious riverside setting on the banks of the Thames. The light-filled open-plan entrance comprises the lobby with lots of contemporary glass and wood detail, and just off this is the revamped Leftbank buffet restaurant.

The outside terrace and river are visible through the floor-to-ceiling windows while inside the décor is equally appealing - all natural oak floors, birch tree sculptures and slate-topped tables. The word "buffet" may sound cheap and cheerful but the quality and selection was top-notch: plate after plate of every conceivable type of salad, pickle, charcuterie, bread; a fresh seafood section with oysters; beside it sushi; a carvery with two types of meat, gravy and interesting vegetables such as artichokes alongside the usual roast potatoes, French beans etc.

There's a wood-fired oven for pizzas which form part of the Duckling Dinners menu option for children. And the service was attentive too, despite the huge number of families here for Sunday lunch.

In the 12-acre grounds there is now a heated outdoor pool with bar area including brightly coloured Fatboy oversized beanbags, taking the Runnymede more in the direction of the sister hotel, the five-star glamorous Grove in Hertfordshire. There is also a children's assault course and tennis courts.

Our family room was apartment-like, with muted beige deco, overlooking the water, although the entrance car park with visible bins did take me back to memories of that famous 1970s motel again (these rooms do come with reserved parking, which is handy). The children's room was cute and cosy with an LCD television on the wall (perfect for watching Alvin and the Chipmunks while Match of the Day played in the other room).

But the hotel's location is one thing that will never need changing, not just for the Thames view but for the proximity to Heathrow (five minutes to Terminal 5), historic Windsor and Legoland (15 minutes). During a day at the latter we spotted Boris Becker and family (is Legoland the new Nobu?) as we whizzed around new rides such as the spinning Vikings River Splash and the rocking Longboat Invader, which I ducked out of (I noticed Boris sat this one out too ).

The spa is glamorous with Aquitaine, its private spa within a spa for small groups. But I didn't have time to visit: the highlight of our weekend was a boat trip along the river.

Powered by an electric motor, there is no noise and it is so easy to drive a child could - and did. Maya, our six-year-old, got to drive us 30 minutes downstream to the Penton Hook Lock, just past Staines, and back again. She had a little help from her parents with steering but there were no casualties.