Isle of Eriska

Reached by a wrought iron vehicle bridge, this Scottish baronial mansion (Pride of Britain) stands on a 'peaceful and beautiful' 300-acre private island. 'Remains the best hotel I know,' one devotee writes. 'Expensive, but still good value. Our dog enjoyed it as much as we did.' 'Smoothly run and beautifully kept', 'more resort than hotel', it is run in a 'discreet and understated way', by brothers Beppo and Chay Buchanan-Smith. Your car is parked, cases carried by the 'unfailingly friendly, courteous', mainly young, staff. There are wellington boots by the entrance, a year-round log fire, panelled lounges, large sofas 'where sinking into the cushions and dozing is almost obligatory'. 'Immaculate' bedrooms vary from 'traditional' in the main building ('ours had sofa, decent-sized TV, huge bed, made while we breakfasted') to modern spa suites in the grounds, each with conservatory and private garden with hot tub. Robert MacPherson's six-course dinners in the newly refurbished dining room (male guests wear jacket and tie) are 'consistently good': 'home-cured ham carved from the trolley; an impressive cheeseboard; delicious desserts like chestnut parfait'. Light meals are served on a veranda. Breakfasts have 'limitless fresh orange juice'; 'wonderful haddock and kippers'. 'Morning coffee/tea and afternoon tea with cakes freely available within the tariff.' (Roland Cassam, David EW Jervois, Joanna Russell)