Hotel reviews

IF you are wanting a beautiful hotel stay with some fantastic classic British food, we’ve found just the place.

Here’s everything you need to know about staying at the Pheasant Inn.

Where is the Pheasant Inn?

The hotel is a minute’s drive from the M4 in the Berkshire Downs Area of Outstanding National Beauty.

What is the hotel like?

This 450-year-old Young’s inn was the perfect R&R for my wife and I on our way home after rainy camping in Wales.

What are the rooms like?

As we entered our room, birdsong through the window competed check with Classic it out FM humming from a Roberts radio.

Egyptian cotton linen with a Hypnos mattress, carefully curated books and minibar snacks including gourmet crisps, nuts, olives and Smarties, along with Bramley bath products, completed the welcome.

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Double rooms from £98 on a room-only basis. See thepheasant-inn.co.uk.

What is there to eat and drink?

Head chef Santosh and his team “bring their own secrets” to the Pheasant restaurant’s “best of British” menu – and they work magic.

I dined on crayfish with Bloody Mary sauce and caper berries, rump steak then chocolate cheesecake with vanilla ice-cream, cherry hazelnut and honeycomb.

My wife enjoyed salmon pate with pickled veg, herbcrusted lamb cutlet with carrot puree, broad-bean mousse, king oyster mushroom and jus, then sticky toffee pudding.

It was a miracle we could face the banging Full English brekkie the next day.

What else is there to do there?

You may spot a jockey or three at the bar, as Lambourn is famed for its racehorse training and nearby Newbury Racecourse.

Great trekking and cycling abound, or browse antique shops at Hungerford, ride a narrowboat on the Kennet and Avon Canal and venture into Marlborough.

Is it family friendly?

Families can pay an extra £15 a night for beds that sleep ages 2-14, while those under two stay for free.

They also have ‘Borrow Boxes’ in the room with activities for kids to use while there.

Is the hotel accessible?

There is wheelchair access to the restaurant and some of the rooms are on the ground floor.

IF you want a break by the sea, then now is the best time to visit The Ship after a huge makeover last year.

Here’s everything you need to know.

Where is The Ship hotel?

Starting life as a fisherman’s pub, The Ship has stood at the foot of the hill in Leigh-on-Sea since the 18th century.

What is the hotel like?

However, the building was given a stylish makeover in 2025 and is now a cosy, coastal retreat with sea views and spacious, modern rooms.

What are the rooms like?

This boutique hotel has 15 rooms and a very welcoming and homely feel.

Check-in at the bar is relaxed and you also have the option to digitally check-in in advance, which is very convenient.

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I was impressed with the guest rooms, which hit the perfect note in combining comfort and design.

The Endeavour Suite feels extra special.

For a small price upgrade, you get a loft-style room with a sofa and living area, sea views from a large window and a terrace overlooking the water.

Newly decorated, a lot of effort has gone into making these rooms a sanctuary for guests. Be warned if you have an early start, though.

Fluffy duvets and pillows, along with the snug mattresses make it very difficult to leave.

Rooms start from £102 including breakfast. Visit theshiphotel.co.uk or call 01702 413452 for 15% off by booking directly with the hotel.

What is there to eat and drink?

Definitely eat at the hotel, which has excellent food.

Being so close to the coast the main menu leans toward seafood dishes, with vegetables and meat from local Essex farms.

They also serve fantastic Sunday roasts.

The beef-dripping Yorkshire puddings with Malden sea salt are worth making a reservation for, even if you’re not staying overnight at the hotel.

As well as the laid-back restaurant, there is also a small, but excellent bar.

More fitting of a swanky London cocktail club, the creative menu includes smoke-infused martinis and very spicy margaritas.

If you are staying a few days, I highly recommend getting a reservation at GABS too, which is a cute, bohemian restaurant across the road.

They also serve creative cocktails and have a sophisticated menu. I suggest going for a choice of ‘picky bits’. The whipped feta with honey, figs and pistachio, served with sourdough is frankly superb.  

What else is there to do nearby?

Some rooms include parking in the private car park outside is a great find and absolutely perfect for a weekend away in Essex.

They also offer in-room massages, meaning with a great restaurant and cocktails on your very own roof terrace, you might decide you don’t even need to leave the hotel.

Otherwise the Ship Hotel is perfectly positioned to explore the surprisingly adorable town of Leigh-on-Sea.

You can easily reach Leigh Old Town, on the water’s edge, which I also happened to have a perfect view of from my room.

There are lots of pubs, bars and seafood shacks, many with seating on an outdoor terrace, idyllic in summer.

You can also walk up the hill to New Leigh and the charming high street, which is packed with cool coffee shops, quirky boutiques and trendy bars that are very popular over the weekend.

The grand finale was a view of the spectacular sunset from my room – not always guaranteed, but stunning if you get lucky.

Is the hotel family friendly?

There are family and interconnecting rooms, as well as cots and highchairs on request.

is it accessible?

The hotel has wheelchair access and a lift to all floors, along with accessible rooms that have adapted bathrooms.

THE Scottish capital is the perfect spot for a weekend break – and we’ve found an affordable but central hotel.

Here’s everything you need to know about staying at Novotel Edinburgh.

Where is the Novotel Edinburgh hotel ?

A beautifully-appointed city hotel, the Novotel Edinburgh Centre is extremely well-located, about a ten-minute stroll from the mighty castle and around 20-minutes from Waverley station (although it’s a very hilly walk).

What is the hotel like?

The property is made to feel like a home from home, with plenty of little nooks in the foyer to tuck yourself away in.

Hotel staff are attentive and everything is easy to find.

What are the rooms like?

Guests are well looked after here.

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We were greeted by refreshing fruit kebabs in our room, as well as cold water in the mini fridge, and a tea/coffee station.

There was ample room around our twin beds which meant we weren’t tripping over our luggage.

A shower in a separate room from the toilet made getting ready in the morning easy.

Classic family rooms cost from £168, sleeping up to two adults and two children.

Pets are allowed at an additional charge of £10 per day. See all.accor.com.

What is there to eat and drink?

The on site restaurant is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner each day.

The buffet breakfast will keep any adventurer well fuelled with everything from a full Scottish fry up, continental options and a waffle station to cereal, fresh fruit and pastries — there are options for those who are lactose intolerance, too.

There’s ample choice for dinner, too.

I chose a light meal option, the Superfood Salad Bowl (£16) which was packed with paprika roasted chickpea, quinoa, asparagus, beetroot, avocado and feta while my pal opted for a heartier meal of grilled lamb chops (£25).

What else is there to do at the hotel?

Guests have use of a pool, sauna, steam room and gym on site.

Whisky fans will have their pick of tours.

Although choose carefully; a well-established distillery is a better investment if you are fussy about your tipples, although these tend to be a little more costly.

But if you only want to learn briefly about the distilling process and get a few drinks in you, the cheaper options should have you covered.

Otherwise the city’s stunning architecture, modern shops and restaurants are all within easy walking distance

If is family friendly?

Kids aged under 15 stay for free at the hotel, and get free breakfast with every paying adult.

Is it accessible?

The hotel has nine accessible rooms and there is a ramp to the entrance of the hotel, along with handicap parking.

IF you fancy a stay right by the beach but with a bit of style, you’ll want to head to Suffolk.

Here is everything you need to know about staying at Brudenell Hotel.

Where is the Brudenell Hotel?

The hotel is perched right on the beach and promenade of the sophisticated seaside town of Aldeburgh.

And the four-star boutique hotel – a local Victorian landmark – has had a makeover bringing it right into the 21st Century.

What are the rooms like?

The 44 rooms vary from standard double rooms overlooking the town through to superior deluxe seaview rooms with unparalleled views across the long pebble beach.

The beds are super comfortable and everywhere is decorated in soft, neutral tones with the occasional nautical and coastal reference here and there – like pieces of driftwood or porthole shaped windows.

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There is nothing more restorative and relaxing than sitting in your room watching, and listening, to the waves crash on the beach and seagulls crying overhead.

The illuminated seafoam washing up out of the darkness of the North Sea is a hypnotic experience.

Double rooms from £164 per night, including breakfast. See here.

What is there to eat and drink?

The hotel has a terrific seafood & grill restaurant with views over the beach and offers all-day dining with a two course lunch from £20.

There are plenty of other options in Aldeburgh from the best fish and chips imaginable to pizzas and even a terrific Indian, Sea Spice, at the nearby White Lion Hotel.

What else is there to do nearby?

You have to walk the length of the beach and take in the stunning Suffolk countryside flanking the nearby winding and sprawling River Alde.

But also check out the town centre with its myriad of shops, galleries and museums. Aldeburgh is a real gem of a coastal destination.

Is the hotel family friendly?

Some of the Superior rooms and Deluxe rooms can sleep two kids, and cots are available on request.

is it accessible?

There is lift access as well as two accessible rooms.

Blue bay parking is available.

FOR a simple stay in the city, The Resident Victoria is the place to be, being right in the middle of London.

Here’s everything you need to know.

Where is The Resident Victoria?

The hotel is just steps from Buckingham Palace, so royal family fans can head straight to it.

Being right by Victoria Station as well, it means you can easily hop into central London or even easily get to London airports including Gatwick and Heathrow?

What is the hotel like?

Just one of four in London – with another in Liverpool and Edinburgh – the hotel itself is simply but classy.

What are the rooms like?

The 73-room hotel ranges from single person rooms to deluxe rooms with super king beds.

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Each room is classy but simple, with everything you’d expect as well as extras that make them ideal for longer stays.

This means mini kitchenettes that have fridges and microwaves, as well as crockery, glassware and coffee machines.

Working desks make them ideal for anyone travelling for business too.

Lots of the interior is from British designers, such as fabrics from the Isle of Bute and and furniture made in West London.

I loved the bathrooms which had loads of mirrors – often forgotten about in hotels – and complimentary toiletries and towels.

Rooms start from £184 per night.

What is there to eat and drink there?

There’s no restaurant here so you’ll have to go out for dinner.

Thankfully you’re spoilt for choice, although I recommend the Market Hall with a range of food stands inside to keep even fussy eaters happy.

For breakfast, you can order delivery to your room with things like pastries on the menu from the Drinks & Snacks menu.

Or you can ask to have your fridge filled with groceries, again at an additional cost.

Make sure to stay in the evenings at the hotel – they have complimentary wine hours.

What else?

There’s not gyms or spas at the hotel, but the reception is open 24 hours.

Use the hotel as a base to explore the area as you couldn’t be bettered located.

Is it family friendly?

The hotel welcomes families with the Deluxe rooms sleeping up to four and the Superior sleeping up to three.

Is it accessible?

Yes, the hotel has a number of accessible rooms.

THE £23million Hotel Indigo Torquay by IHG is newest hotel on the English Riviera in Devon.

Here’s everything you need to know.

Where is the Hotel Indigo Torquay by IHG?

Standing on the site of the old and once thriving Corbyn Head Hotel, Hotel Indigo Torquay by IHG is the newest kid on the block.

What is the hotel like?

The hotel looks like a sleek cruise liner docked on the English Riviera, offering front-row seats to the paddleboarding and jet skiing action of Torbay.

The hotel features a stylish interior throughout, with cool blues, silvers and golds.

The theme mimics the sea, with a touch of Art Deco luxury as well.

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From the rooftop bar, you have the added benefit of sprawling sea views.

The hotel is a touch of luxury for less, on what has long been a rundown coastal stretch.

With £300million currently being pumped into the English Riviera (formed of Paignton, Torquay and Brixham), Hotel Indigo is leading the charge.

What are the rooms like?

The hotel boasts 153 luxury rooms.

This includes sea view suites, where you will find a stylish throw back to the 1930s – the height of Agatha Christie’s fame – with coastal blues and glimmers of Art Deco silver.

There’s lots of space too with a king size bed, a marble clad en-suite and a separate lounge area with a sofa bed that looks over the waves crashing on the shore.

Fancy a tipple?

The mini-bar in the room is a ‘best of Devon‘ showcase, with fresh orange juice, local milk and a Nespresso machine with hand-crafted mugs for morning brews by the sea.

A standard king-size room in April for two people including breakfast starts from £83 per night.

What is there to eat and drink there?

The hotel has an all-day bistro called Root and Reef with dishes full of locally sourced ingredients.

I opted for a French onion soup, followed by steak and chips and then creme brulee – all cooked to perfection.

Breakfast is a feast as well, with fresh hot and cold dishes, made to order dishes and an array of continental items.

It is a no brainer – eat at the hotel.

What else can you do there?

The hotel is just metres from the beach and moments from a variety of activities that the nearby towns of Paignton, Brixham and Torquay have to offer.

One top spot, around a 15-minute drive away is Kent’s Cavern – also known as ‘Britain’s oldest home’.

Inside, visitors can explore limestone rock caves that are nearly 400million-years-old and hold evidence of Neanderthals and early humans… as well as discarded teeth of Ice Age beasts like the woolly mammoth.

Is it family friendly?

Out of the 153 rooms, there are three designated family rooms.

The hotel doesn’t have kids play facilities, so I would say that these rooms are mostly suitable for families with older children.

The hotel also has pet-friendly rooms where you beloved pooch will be more than spoilt with treats and their own bed.

Is the hotel accessible?

Eight of the rooms across the hotel are accessible, featuring lower dressing areas, adapted wardrobes and wider doors to allow for wheelchairs.

Looking for a place to stay? For more hotel inspiration click here.