Old-school service and attention to detail come to the fore at this ‘splendid place’ overlooking Lyme Bay. The proudly traditional hotel, in a Regency terrace where ‘everything is of the highest quality’, is owned by ‘pleasant, charming’ Peter Wharton; his staff ‘do their best to ensure an enjoyable stay’, say Guide readers in 2017. While some guests think the interiors ‘old-fashioned’, fans revel in the ‘sumptuous decor bearing some resemblance to the displays at Fortnum & Mason’. ‘The bar with the grand piano is very showbiz – that’s not a complaint!’ Bedrooms varying in size and style may need careful selection, but all are ‘spotless’, visitors agree. ‘Housekeeping is excellent, and supplies (water, tea, wonderfully light shortbread biscuits) were generously topped up.’ In the ‘timeless’ dining room, chef Martin Osedo serves ‘a five-course banquet’ of ‘quite adventurous options’. ‘The portions are well considered, and each dish is well executed – my battered monkfish was sublime – but we’d appreciate some simpler fare as well.’ An ‘extensive choice’ of breakfast (‘an even greater delight’) is served at the table. (Mary Woods, Trevor Lockwood, Peter Govier, and others)