‘After a journey along the bumpy road, we were welcomed at the door by Lisa and Clinton, who took our cases up the rather steep stairs to a lovely room.’

An Arts and Crafts house in ‘beautiful’ landscaped gardens, run as a country house hotel, is promoted from the Shortlist this year at the urging of a trusted reader.

‘Dr Johnson and Mr James Boswell dine here tomorrow – which they did and I gave Mr Johnson rhubarb seeds and some melon.’ Here is Sir Alexander Dick, Laird of Prestonfield, writing of visitors to his 17th-century mansion at the foot of Arthur’s Seat.

Spread across two of Harlech’s oldest houses, Glyn and Jacqueline Roberts’s restaurant-with-rooms won approval from Guide regulars this year, with ‘an excellent room, and lovely dinner on both nights’.

‘Why is it only on the Shortlist?’ asks a reader, commending the Weaver family’s Edwardian country house hotel with views to the sparkling Firth of Forth across Muirfield golf course.

Who says you can’t teach an old dog new tricks? Under enthusiastic owner Marc Bridgen this ancient pub is today ‘less a local than a comfortable lounge bar’ and canine-friendly restaurant-with-rooms.

In ‘glorious’ grounds’ Martin Barlow’s hotel, golf resort and spa on the Helford river returns to a full entry this year thanks to a trusted reader and frequent guest who loves ‘the personalised hospitality and the attention of good staff’.

Reached by a mile-long drive, Fred and Joanna Madden's grand Italianate country house stands in ‘an estate of great beauty’, with working farm, golf, lakes for fishing and wild swimming.

‘There is a magnificent view over Belfast Lough’ from Conor and Bernie McClelland’s Victorian merchant’s house in large gardens close to Holywood Golf Club.

Most guests choose a room with a glorious sea view at this upmarket, family-run hotel in landscaped gardens above a sandy beach. However, golf fanatics may prefer a room overlooking La Moye golf course, with its hills, pot bunkers, gorse and ocean breezes.

Built by Clough Williams Ellis for Hollywood actress and gossip-monger Hedda Hopper, this lovely hotel stands between the Strait of Dover and Littlestone golf course, a gem, with challenging Rye coursedown the road. Hopper dreamed of creating an English Le Touquet but this is so much more romantic.

Golfers are spoilt for choice, with no fewer than 30 golf course, in driving distance of this 18th-century former sporting lodge. It’s just a mile to Thornhill, set in heathland and parkland in the Nith Valley, and Royal Troon an hour to the north.

A historic, luxurious hotel with theatrical interiors, Prestonfield stands in parkland under Arthur’s Seat, beside picturesque Duddingston course with a meandering burn running through. It’s handy, too, for James Braid’s Prestonfield course – and all just minutes from the shops and city bustle.

Just above the historic castle, this restaurant-with-rooms is run with a personal touch by the chef/proprietor and his wife. Guests receive a discount on green fees as world-renowned Royal St David’s Golf Club, host to the Ryder Cup in 2010, and there are 18 courses within an hour’s drive.

A warm welcome awaits at this antique-filled Georgian mansion in parkland on the edge of town. It is right by County Longford Golf Club, founded in 1894 and one of Ireland’s oldest. A Guide inspector judged everything well above par.

In long-time family ownership, this seaside holiday hotel and spa offers golf breaks, tuition packages, buggy hire. Their 18-hole course is designed for beginners and more experienced golfers. Trevose Golf Club is nearby, and lovely St Enodoc a short drive away.

There’s Michelin-starred cooking at this 18th-century coaching inn turned restaurant-with-rooms. Home-baked croissants set guests up for a round at 125-year-old Hunstanton golf course, amid the dunes and link grasses, overlooking The Wash.

A fine Queen Anne-style Lutyens mansion with gardens inspired by Gertrude Jekyll, in a gem of a medieval town, this Guide newcomer is close to Royal St George’s Golf Club (host to the US Open in 2020), and handy for Deal’s Royal Cinque Ports course.