Above the town, this modern, family-friendly hotel in a 19th-century building overlooks a park, and has views as far as Herm and Sark. Bedrooms might be modern or traditional, with sea view or balcony. Complimentary sweet snacks are replenished all day; a range of loose-leaf teas is served for afternoon tea, in the conservatory or on the terrace. A safari theme runs wild in the striking Leopard bar.

Jutting out over a private marina, this ocean liner-like hotel is ship-shape inside, with porthole-shaped mirrors, vintage glass fish floats and nautical bits and pieces. Bedrooms and suites, several with a Juliet balcony, are cheerily decorated with some retro touches, and supplied with decanters of gin and sherry. The buzzy sixth-floor bar has harbour views. Jetty restaurant pairs locally caught seafood with seasonal produce, eaten on the terrace in welcoming weather.

An elegantly decorated Victorian country house hotel with bright bedrooms – some in a converted farmhouse or stables. The comfortable lounge has a wood-burning stove, a library stocked with books about Sark and the Channel Islands. A vast array of single malt whiskies awaits in the adjoining 18th-century Smugglers Bar (white-washed stone walls, oak beams). Carriage rides using the hotel’s own livery stables can be arranged.

Just an 8-minute walk from the city centre, a hotel in fifteen acres of Italianate gardens and peaceful, private coastal land. It has unsurpassed sea views, direct footpath access to the Pembrokeshire Coast and St Davids Peninsula Coastline, a tennis court and seasonal indoor pool. On display is a collection of listed hand-painted tiles, as well as original and limited edition works by local and internationally acclaimed artists.

In the town centre, a family owned hotel in a renovated and extended Georgian building, overlooking a historic Crown Bowling Green. Neat bedrooms have modern bathrooms. The old coaching house has been converted into a gym and spa with beauty treatments and a heated indoor pool. In a former grocer’s, Wilsons Bar & Restaurant has comfy booths, a courtyard garden and conservatory and Mediterranean dishes on the menu.

In 300 acres of parkland originally laid out by landscape designer Humphry Repton, this welcoming and romantic Grade I listed Regency mansion comes with impressive modern facilities. There are two golf courses, a private cinema and an award-winning rooftop spa with saunas, steam rooms, an infinity pool and herb-infused treatments. Sleek accommodation ranges from suites (some with a private terrace) in contemporary wings, to cottages and lodges. Inspired by the seasons – creative dishes are ‘exceptionally good’ in the glass-sided spa restaurant, Horto. Vegetables, fruit and flowers come from the delightful kitchen garden; the hotel’s natural springs supply the water. In the glamorous Clocktower Restaurant and Bar, a 400-year-old Catalonian olive tree takes centre stage in the light-filled conservatory.

Six miles from Plymouth, an Elizabethan manor house with an award-winning spa in the grounds. Full of character, the original building retains its oak panelling, ornate ceilings, mullioned windows and stone archways. The fine-dining Gallery restaurant overlooks the beamed Great Hall, which features a coat of arms of King James I above an enormous stone fireplace. Accommodation ranges from the majestic, with four-poster beds, to more contemporary rooms situated in the courtyard and stable wings. Gaia spa has a pool, hydrotherapy pool, steam rooms and saunas, a relaxation room, gym and a salon with a wide choice of beauty treatments.

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.

Next to the 15th-century castle, a hospitable owner and friendly pets provide the warmest of welcomes at this small B&B in a village seven miles W of Leicester. There are two homely bedrooms, a guest lounge, an outdoor pool and a gym.

In sub-tropical gardens across from Gyllyngvase Beach, a contemporary spa hotel taking inspiration from the Cornish coast. Comfortable bedrooms are decorated in tones of blue, with nautical touches; bathrooms have robes and good quality toiletries. Mediterranean-style fine cuisine is served in the Garden Kitchen; less formal dining is in Brasserie on the Bay, which has dazzling views of the sea. The spa has a large heated indoor swimming pool, Jacuzzi, sauna, a steam room, treatments and a well-equipped gym.

On a cliff top, the hotel’s far-reaching views sweep over South Beach, the sea, the island fort of St Catherine and Caldey Island. Some of the classically styled bedrooms have a balcony overlooking the gardens. Guests can drink on the patio In fine weather, or relax in the spa (indoor heated pool, spa bath, steam room and loungers).

Within its own lovely garden and grounds, an immaculate B&B in a Grade II listed house, where arriving guests are greeted with tempting tea-time treats. Part of a working farm, much of the food for breakfast (home-made granola, banana bread, jams and marmalade, fresh fruit salad, honey) comes from just a few steps away. A full English Wiltshire breakfast is cooked on the Aga. Supper trays may be pre-ordered; local pubs and restaurants are nearby. Cookery workshops are held. In a little hamlet, 2 miles from Swindon.

Adrenaline-fuelled activities on the lake, an 18-hole golf course or more sedate therapeutic treatments in Yspa are all on offer at this large resort hotel. Close to St Neots, it is set in 380 acres of countryside on the Bedfordshire/Cambridgeshire border. Accommodation is in natural-toned, comfortable rooms, provided with a safe, tea- and coffee-making facilities, mineral water and an in-room technology tablet. Overlooking the lakes, the Brasserie serves home-cooked traditional English and modern European classic dishes throughout the day. An on-site health and leisure club has a large gym with weights and cardio equipment, a studio, indoor pool, and sauna.