Beechwood Hotel

‘A bright spot’ in a north Norfolk market town, Emma and Hugh Asher’s hotel is also something of a night spot, with a rolling programme of events: taster nights, comedy nights, murder mystery nights (a nod to Agatha Christie, who stayed often when this was a private house), and South African Nights (to celebrate Hugh’s native land). ‘Staff helpful, room comfortable, food good, gin menu tempting,’ notes a reader. New this year are two garden rooms with hot tub and sauna. Some main-house rooms have French doors to the garden, perhaps a half-tester or a four-poster bed and a Victorian bathroom with walk-in shower and slipper bath. Expect to linger over drinks in the lounge or in the ‘beautiful garden’, before dining on Steven Norgate’s locally sourced dishes (maybe lamb with baby leeks, goat curd and mint jelly, or a vegetarian option). And if our reader’s serving of cheese was small (was it a Fawlty Towers night?), breakfast brought ‘the best and hugest portion of scrambled eggs I have ever tasted’. Golfers’ packages include special deals with Mundesley and Royal Cromer golf clubs. (Mariana Lamperty, SP)