Artist Residence

Eclectic with a soupçon of romance, this ‘quirky, characterful’ hotel balances ‘retro touches’ with upcycled industrialism. Owners Charlotte and Justin Salisbury instil ‘cheerful efficiency’ at the stylishly restored former pub. Reception is a laptop in an alcove; stripped wooden flooring, vintage and bespoke furniture, and limited-edition prints characterise the variously sized bedrooms. ‘The details were well thought through. Overlooking neighbouring houses, our small room had a metal-framed bed with good linen, well-positioned sockets (a necessity for technophiles), clever storage, excellent lighting; a fine rain shower in the bathroom. There was no noise at night.’ Sit by the fire in the Club Room, pick up a paddle in the Ping-Pong Room, sip an art-inspired concoction in the ‘youthful’ cocktail bar. New chef Elliot Miller serves a weekly dinner menu in the popular Cambridge Street Kitchen. Breakfast, charged extra, is ‘excellent value’: freshly squeezed juice, leaf teas; banana pancakes, maple syrup; avocado, poached eggs, chilli on rye. Sister hotels are in Brighton (see entry) and Penzance (see Shortlist).