Drakes

Two bow-fronted Regency town houses with views of the iconic Palace Pier are home to a boutique hotel that counts Cate Blanchett and Kylie Minogue among past guests. ‘Inside it is quite special,’ write readers, who were ‘given a warm welcome’ and shown to one of the sea-facing feature rooms, with a bath beside floor-to-ceiling windows. ‘We were amazed at the decor, the light pouring in. Behind frosted glass doors there was a walk-in shower/wet room. Housekeeping was immaculate.’ If you’re on a budget opt for a snug city-facing room with queen-size bed, a monsoon wet-room shower. A loft room has a sofa bed for a child. The staff are a delight: ‘We felt they really enjoyed their work and wanted us to share that enjoyment.’ In Amarillo, star-spangled, rosette-garlanded chef Ian Swainson creates a six-course fine-dining menu of beautifully presented dishes such as crab custard, white crab meat and bisque; roasted beetroots with lavender and milk curd; juniper-crusted venison, chestnut truffle purée, caramelised onion/yeast foam. The bar is the place for a cappuccino or a cocktail. (A and SA)