‘It was a joy to return for our fourth visit to this wonderful country-house hotel, to find nothing had changed!’ Readers are devoted to Gary and Donna MacRae’s small hotel in woodland gardens above the hamlet of Rosthwaite, with views to Great Gable and Scafell Pike. Pristine bedrooms have L’Occitane toiletries, sherry, home-baked biscuits. ‘The room was extremely comfortable with a well-appointed bathroom.’ ‘The furnishings are constantly renewed when needed. No tired look here.’ Guests gather for aperitifs and canapés in the lounge (‘the Negroni was simply the best’) before a set-price dinner of dishes such as rack of Herdwick lamb, crisped breast, king carrot, jus. ‘Again, the grub was gorgeous. And again, everyone staying there seemed to have been before.’ ‘Home-cured Cumbrian salmon with beetroot was the outstanding new dish for us. A surprise ball of beetroot sorbet with horseradish elevated it to Michelin-star status.’ An ‘excellent’ breakfast brings a full Cumbrian or veggie, buttered kippers. ‘Donna and Gary clearly love their hotel/home and guests are made to feel like visiting friends.’ (John Barnes, Bob and Jean Henry, and many others)