Oxfordshire’s most decadent hotel/restaurant is back in business, and we’re buzzing about it. The Crazy Bear, for the uninitiated, is all about unfettered indulgence – zebra print fabrics, padded walls and crystal chandeliers as standard – and as the new management kicks in at the start of this year, it begins a new, groovy chapter with some changes that we can’t wait to see.

The big news is: Crazy Bear Stadhampton has a brand new eatery, the OAK Restaurant. Head chef Callum Holyland is the man behind the menu, which centres around local, seasonal ingredients and seems to fall in line with Crazy Bear’s typical opulence: think Oxford Black steak tartare with an oyster emulsion to start, and butter poached turbot with pickled mussels and caviar to follow, and a rhubarb soufflé with red tea and rhubarb compote and crème fraîche ice cream to round it off.

There’s a sommelier-in-residence to see to the wine, who has collaborated with Callum on a sumptuous tasting menu with pairings at £90 a head. They still have the Thai restaurant, all sultry, moody and plush – and the Thai will have a fresh face too after current refurbishments.

Crazy Bear may have opened in Stadhampton over 30 years ago, but the decor still feels as fresh and innovative now as it did back then – and one need look no further than the rooms to see as much. The stone and brick ivy-clad hotel may look classic country-escape from the outside but once inside you’re quickly transported into the opulence of the Crazy Bear world. There are four room types – Decadent, Boujee, Snug and Cosy – which vary really by size but let’s just say there’s plenty of velvet wallpaper and gold gilt to go around.

As the sun returns, there’s plenty of alfresco spaces for drinks and dining and the gorgeous glasshouse for private events. They’re big on corporate and party/wedding spaces for a night that your guests – and their insta – won’t forget.