East Coast America meets South Coast England at this single-storey, coastal-chic hotel with interesting room choices, good, locally sourced food, and uncrowded sandy beach just over the spectacular dunes.

Across the road from Hove's shingle beach, Ben and Pamela McKellar's Edwardian mock-timbered gastropub is 'loved by locals for its foodie reputation'.

'It would be beautiful in summer,' said our inspectors, whose tour of this vineyard, on the slopes of the South Downs, was marred by rain.

Being remodelled as The Alfriston. An outdoor heated pool, extensive grounds, Downs views, individually styled bedrooms and refined dining are among the attractions at this dog-friendly hotel on the banks of the River Cuckmere.

In restored Grade I listed woodland and lake gardens, an Italianate mansion is now home to a Michelin-starred restaurant with serenely beautiful bedrooms.

A great white wedding cake of a hotel, this Victorian extravaganza invites you to take a step back in time, to take tea or cocktails to the sound of the Palm Court Strings, dine in style and retire to a deluxe bedroom at prices that won't break the bank.

A colonial-style Victorian villa with galleried veranda has been refurbished in fine style, with 16 classy bedrooms and an airy restaurant serving locally sourced, seasonal, modern British fare.