An elegantly updated Queen Anne-style mansion in lovely gardens. Lavish afternoon teas are served on the terrace, fine dinners in an oak-panelled room. Soothing treatments for face, body and nails can be booked. Guildford Station is a 10 minutes’ drive.

An historic coaching inn opposite Laughton village green, seven miles from Lewes. Rooms are in a sympathetically converted stable block. Classic pub grub and an extensive range of beers, wines and gin is served in the interesting bar and dining room, or in the large pub garden, also home to two pet micro-pigs and some clucking hens.

Yeehaw! All spruced up, a cowboy-themed hotel (part of a small group) in former Tunbridge Wells West Station. Bedrooms have cowboy boot- or antler-shaped lights, and Native American-style blankets. Vittles include hearty servings of ribs, burgers, nachos and other US favourites in the atmospheric restaurant. Join in the hootin an’ hollerin with live Country and Western bands in the bar until closing time.

Near the Pantiles, a former brewery and school house is now a modern hotel with sophisticated, neutral-toned bedrooms and suites (some in the neighbouring Townhouse are more contemporary and have a separate entrance). Breakfast is buffet-style. Informal dining as well as a la carte menus are served in Seventeen restaurant. Situated by Cumberland Walk, al fresco morning snacks, cocktails, and light bites can be enjoyed on The Terrace.

In the thick of things, a large, modern hotel on the cobbled high street. Public spaces are vibrantly furnished or bright with colourful prints. Food and drink is available throughout the day; HarSpa has a whirlpool, sauna, steam room and small open-air heated pool.

‘Conveniently located’ for museum-hoppers and shop-till-you-droppers, Victorian grandeur and traditional service are perfectly entwined at this elegant town house hotel in South Kensington (Doyle Collection).