A survivor from a more elegant age, this family-friendly Victorian hotel grandly stands on the seafront. Inside are ‘beautiful, spacious public rooms, long corridors, lofty ceilings, arched windows – all very glamorous’, said a Guide inspector this year. Glamour doesn’t take the place of graciousness, however, as a visitor with a small baby discovered: ‘It’s not the small, family-run hotel we tend to prefer, but the staff behaved as if it were. From the moment we arrived, everyone was so helpful, friendly and kind.’ Guests are greeted by porters, who whisk away their luggage; unburdened, head to one of the traditionally decorated bedrooms. The best have ‘loads of room, and beautiful sea views from large windows’ (‘but an information pack would have been welcomed’). Food and drink are served all day – on the ‘lovely terrace’ in fine weather; once a month, the Palm Court Strings Orchestra accompanies the ‘ceremony’ of afternoon tea. At dinner in the Garden and ‘very special’ Mirabelle restaurants, smart casual dress is required (‘but there were varying degrees of smartness among the guests’). ‘We left feeling very well looked after.’ (Valerie Rose Sheldon, CR)