‘Thank you for guiding me to this ideal hotel in the heart of the Welsh market town,’ writes a reader who chose William Griffiths’s family-run establishment for a celebratory 70th birthday stay this year. ‘Everything was spot on.’ As was service from ‘exceptionally helpful, cheery staff’. Most bedrooms are in the main building, a Georgian coaching inn. Some are in the former mews, a Victorian lodge within the castle grounds, and two cottages. Hotel and mews bedrooms have upmarket fabrics, ‘proper coat-hangers’, bathrooms with toiletries. Public rooms display original artwork chosen by William’s gallery-owner mother. The award-laden afternoon tea showcases ‘feather-light scones, perfect pastries and cakes’ from the hotel’s bakery next door. For main meals try the Foxhunter bar or Oak Room restaurant – or head out to the Walnut Tree, a Michelin-starred sister enterprise. In the Oak Room, Paul Brown and Wesley Hammond’s menus cater to all comers, vegetarian, vegan, gluten intolerant… Perhaps butternut squash and aubergine Penang curry, or roast loin of venison. Breakfast brings a full English and smoked Bloody Mary. (David Sefton, VAA)