Nonsuch House

'Kit and Penny Noble are perfect hosts, paying great attention to the needs of visitors without intruding on their privacy.' Praise this year for this upmarket guest house in an Edwardian villa high on the south-facing Kingswear side of the Dart estuary. Another comment: 'From the warm welcome with tea and home-made cakes in the conservatory to the excellent breakfast and perfect dinners, we don't think it could be better.' The bedrooms have 'everything you need'. 'Housekeeping is faultless; fittings are of the highest standard; the bed in our room was the most comfortable we have ever slept in. We had a bay window, with two armchairs offering views across the river to Dartmouth.' The public rooms have canary-yellow walls, royal-blue carpets, 'interesting ornaments and books'. Dinner is available four nights a week. 'Kit, a talented cook, discusses the menu beforehand'; his blackboard menu depends on local produce, eg, salad of Dartmouth crab; Blackawton lamb, pistachio and Parmesan crust. No liquor licence - bring your own wine ('a real cost-saver'). Breakfast has 'proper bread', fresh orange juice, home-made muesli. The house 'is on a steep hill, good exercise for the reasonably fit'. (Bill Bennett, Christine Hastings)