In ‘a great location, just across from the beach;’ Michael Pritt’s Victorian hotel has been family owned and run since 1920. ‘It always delights us,’ say readers who visit every year. ‘We never get bored.’ Mr Pritt ‘has just the right recipe – informality and courtesy’. The bedrooms are individually designed, ‘good and well appointed’, many with a sea view. Seven are in Darfield House, set back, with a secluded garden and outdoor seating. ‘The place is a tradition,’ our reader continues. ‘A lot of older people come here, but so what? I’m old myself.’ A younger visitor had a quibble: ‘There’s no night porter and they lock the communal areas at midnight to set the alarm, so we had to rush to finish our board game (because we’re cool).’ Still, ‘staff were accommodating and service was generally good’. In the sea-facing dining room, Tim Keeble’s short menus include local seasonal ingredients, maybe lemon sole with cream and Parmesan; pan-fried duck breast with black cherry sauce; Thai green vegetable curry. ‘The food is not outstanding, but it’s good, the breakfasts especially so.’ Work up an appetite: ‘A 7 am walk with the dogs, along the path by the sea, is heaven.’ (SR)