Dorset House

‘A very strange stranger it must be, who does not see charms in the immediate environs of Lyme,’ wrote Jane Austen, and only a very strange stranger would not see the charm in Lyn and Jason Martin’s Regency-style, eco-friendly B&B. Urged by trusted readers to promote it from the Shortlist, we needed little persuasion. ‘It is outstanding in every way,’ they say. ‘We were welcomed by Jason with tea, biscuits and an orientation chat.’ Boutique bedrooms have ‘an exceedingly comfortable bed’, a minibar fridge, locally baked biscuits, fresh coffee, a walk-in rain shower, smart toiletries. A suite has a sofa bed in a separate living area. This is the only Guide hotel to prioritise gut health, with a daily-changing breakfast menu of local, organic produce, including home-made granola, a full Dorset, full veggie, daily specials (maybe ‘Lyn’s wonderful teff pancakes with roasted nectarines; black-rice porridge and kiwi fruit; lemon and garlic mushrooms on sourdough’). In fine weather you can eat on the veranda. There’s an honesty bar, and if you want to dine in, they can order you a takeaway. (Hannah and Andrew Butterworth)