It's been more than 20 years since Susannah and Stuart Macpherson opened the doors of this beautiful Georgian building to guests, and they still take great pride in providing a friendly, warm welcome along with good food and wine. Outside, the gardens feature both a fairy trail and a golf practice area. Inside, public rooms have antiques, log fires, wall-to-wall patterned carpeting, ornate plaster ceilings. Bedroom decor, from small doubles to a four-poster suite, is contemporary. Superior rooms have a roll-top bath and walk-in rainforest shower. One reader reported that they had a waterproof TV in the bathroom – for watching the soaps, maybe. Mountain views are the most sought after. A warm-water hose awaits your dog's return from a walk to see the giant sequoia, while humans can enjoy afternoon tea. In the impressive octagonal dining room, chef Garry Kenley cooks dishes such as plum-glazed duck breast, catch of the day, or Mediterranean mezze salad. Everything possible is made from scratch; the restaurant is popular with local diners. Afterwards, settle down with a whisky nightcap in the bar.