2 Blackburne Terrace

Behind a row of lime trees on a calm cobbled drive, there’s style (and home-made sweets) aplenty at Glenn and Sarah Whitter’s ‘excellent’ upmarket B&B. In a discreet Georgian town house, it is within walking distance of theatres, restaurants and the two cathedrals. ‘The owners welcomed us warmly and gave us a tour of the house and all aspects of our room. Sloe gin and macaroons were waiting for us.’ Lush modern bedrooms, individually designed, have original artwork and polished antiques. ‘All are done to a high standard’, with theatrical touches (here a deep-button velvet sofa or silk drapes, there a marble bathroom and an elegant slipper bath); all have ‘top-quality’ soaps and perfume. In the design-magazine-worthy drawing room, find ‘an excellent range of local history books alongside an interesting collection of Irish literature’. In summer, take advantage of the quiet walled garden. At breakfast, taken communally at a large table set with silver cutlery, porcelain and crystal, ‘an enormous buffet’ awaits (croissants, pastries, natural yogurts, jars of cereals); choose from ‘a wide range’ of cooked dishes. (Donald Reid)