The Cottage in the Wood Shortlist*

‘You’d be hard pressed to find a hotel with a more impressive view.’ At the end of a steep uphill drive, Julia and Nick Davies’s ‘guest-centred’ hotel is ‘perched high’ on the east side of the Malverns. Guide inspectors in 2016 found traditionally furnished bedrooms, ‘appetising’ meals, ‘efficient, welcoming’ staff – and a vista that ‘stretches for miles’ across the plains towards the distant Cotswolds. Choose between bedrooms in the main 16th-century dower house, a garden cottage and the more modern Coach House – each differs in character and aspect. ‘Our first-floor room in the coach house, though dated, maximised the view, with French doors opening on to a small balcony. Tea- and coffee-making facilities included fresh milk; mineral water was provided. Binoculars, too – a good touch.’ The restaurant ‘enjoys the stunning view’ through large Georgian windows (‘though the muzak did little for dining equanimity’). Breakfasts feature smashed avocado, field mushroom or ‘generous’ portions of ‘buttery’ scrambled eggs. On a clear day, walk straight from the hotel grounds into the woods and up on to the Malvern Hills – from the top, gaze across Herefordshire and peer into Wales. Refurbishment of main house rooms planned for 2017.  Bar, lounge, restaurant; terrace (alfresco meals and drinks). Private dining, meeting facilities. Free Wi-Fi, in-room TV (Freeview). Children and dogs (£10 per night, in some bedrooms) welcomed. 7-acre grounds, with direct access to the Malvern hills. 30 bedrooms (4 in Beech Cottage, 19 in Coach House; 10 on ground floor; 1 suitable for disabled, with dedicated parking). Per room B&B £80–£198, D,B&B £150–£295 (plus 2% surcharge for credit-card payments on check-out).