Best hotels or B&B’s in the UK

The best B&B ( can’t call it a small hotel really as there is no bar or evening meal) but it’s delightful, is called The Riverside at Lake Windermere in the English Lake District ( for the benefit of GN members who live in other countries.)
Clean, comfortable and with the best breakfast I have ever experienced, even in five star hotels. Run by thoughtful owners, nothing is too much trouble for them.Easy parking on the private riverbank next to the hotel.You can do the easy walk to the centre, which is a bonus.Anywhere in the Lake District is easy to drive to from there.

these are a nice chain, we've found and dog friendly if you have a dog!

You need to start watching four in a bed you'll know who to avoid then too

We were sceptical when someone told us that Wetherspoons hotels were great. We've stayed in a few now. The one in Chesterfield in particular is lovely. We stayed on a Sunday night £39 for the room. King sized bed, very large bathroom. You can pop downstairs to the pub for your Wetherspoons breakfast. There was a park opposite and just happened to be a food and music festival going on. We had a great time.

We regularly stay in the Slieve Donard, a Hastings Hotel in Newcastle, Co Down. Beautiful hotel with great staff, first class service and location beside the Mourne Mountains. We love it. Highly recommend. One hour from Belfast.

We love the Priory at Middleham N.Yorkshire.
Beautiful boutique rooms,charming hosts and a delicious breakfast.
Stunning views to Richard 111’s castle which stands proud in the village.
Middleham is the horse racing capital of the north so you will be woken by horses hooves on cobbles as the many horses are ridden off to the gallops.
There are some fabulous walks from the village.
The forbidden corner Jervaulx Abbey,Castle Bolton, Aysgarth are within a 15 minute drive.
Looking forward to a break there next month..

Middleham is lovely. The forbidden corner there has the most beautiful self catering houses.

We like the Balcary Bay Hotel near Kirkcudbright. It's so close to the sea that the sound of the waves lulls us to sleep. It's an old fashioned, family run hotel with wonderful food and a rather, er, idiosyncratic owner. Its a lovely part of the world too. I just hope they've made it through the past year.

Aveline

We like the Balcary Bay Hotel near Kirkcudbright. It's so close to the sea that the sound of the waves lulls us to sleep. It's an old fashioned, family run hotel with wonderful food and a rather, er, idiosyncratic owner. Its a lovely part of the world too. I just hope they've made it through the past year.

One of my most favourite places, so romantic. Over the years we’ve stayed many times. I always imagined it as the place to recuperate after an illness!
We have our own place nearby, so only go for dinner or coffee after one of the beautiful walks nearby.

We love the Brudenell at Aldeburgh. Right on the 'beach', fabulous sea views, great staff and lovely food.

We also love The Midland at Morecambe. Iconic building, great views, the staff are fabulous and the food is lively. Morecambe is not necessarily everyone's cup of tea but the surrounding area is interesting and the Lakes are accessible. And there is hopefully going to be an Eden Project.

We loved the Westlea 5 star Guest House in Ullapool.
Beautiful rooms and lovely large lounge for guests. Extremely stylish, comfortable and quirky.
Excellent breakfast with plenty of choice and quality ingredients.
The hosts/owners could not have been more friendly and hospitable.
We chose this for easy access to the ferry to Stornoway but it is well worth the trip in itself to enjoy the fabulous scenery all around.

www.lakedistricthotels.net/innonthelake/

This is my favourite hotel. It's right on the edge of Ullswater lake in the Lake district. It's so beautiful inside and out and very friendly. It's much quieter than Windermere.
It can be a bit pricey but they usually have offers on.

Sometimes we just go for afternoon tea.

Aveline J52

We stayed at Mossyard for many years and would go to the Balcary Bay for lunch.
I had forgotten how beautiful it is.
Sadly we no longer go as we went with dear friends and all our children, our friend died very tragically and we cannot bring ourselves to visit that part of the world without him.
It brings back so many happy memories.

Sago ?

I’m always happy at a Premier Inn! Reasonable and good breakfasts. I know what to expect.

Aveline, we also love Dumfries and Galloway . Haven't stayed at Balcary Bay but have called in for coffee a few times. Keep saying to my DH " we must come again and stay" , Beautiful location , so peaceful. After your recommendation I think it's time we made a booking.

Machrimore, on Burnt Street in Wells-next-the-sea, Norfolk.
Lovely rooms, very nice, pleasant hosts, and a wonderful breakfast. Plus only a few minutes walk to the harbour.

Royal Duchy Hotel Falmouth Cornwall. Lovely rooms and sitting areas downstairs. Fabulous food and they do regular DBB rates. Great staff , most stay a long time and nothing is too much trouble , they also do super afternoon tea . It has a pool and nice gardens and you can book spar treatments (these need to be done in advance) .

Lovely little town and harbour and you can get reasonably priced boat trips and Pendennis castle is nearby. Also only short drive to St Ives and the Minack outdoor theatre which puts on productions in the summer.

hollysteers

I’m always happy at a Premier Inn! Reasonable and good breakfasts. I know what to expect.

Me too Hollysteers.
Two favourites - London we always stay at County Hall. It's very central and the customer service is good. Restaurant food is good standard for a reasonable price. We also liked Bricket Wood where we stayed to visit St Albans Abbey. The location beside the river was lovely.

I agree, Premier Inns are clean, comfortable and a great price too.
I’ve made notes of everything so far, as you can’t beat a personal recommendation. Also you never know which bit of the country you may end up in.

What a great thread, it's always useful to get personal referrals.

We had almost given up on hotels except for the odd one-nighter, and for the last five years have almost always stayed in self catering cottages. But when we tried to book somewhere recently it had more than doubled in price - it will be back to the Premier Inn for us I think. Which is fine by me, at least I know it will be reasonably quiet and the bed will be comfy and clean.

We had a lovely three day break in a hotel in the centre of Tetbury (Glos) a couple of years ago. Can’t remember it’s name ?but it’s right next to the Highgrove shop.An old building, with lovely rooms and a secret garden at the back of the hotel with a dining terrace. Will try and find the name, because it’s well worth a stay.The parking is at the back too, but it’s nice to leave the car and wander around Tetbury on foot ( it’s not a huge town.) Plenty of antique shops for those who enjoy them ( me).Had the best nights sleep ever there.

Just looked it up, it’s called The Close ( Tetbury.)

Aviary Court Hotel, Portreath, Cornwall, very small hotel, beautiful surroundings, food exceptional.