Captains Club Hotel

On the edge of the River Stour, the smooth metal-and-glass lines of this ‘stylish’, ‘welcoming’ bankside hotel call to mind a docked ocean liner. Step aboard: the interiors are ‘modern but with character’, judicious accents give colour. Don’t expect portholes in the ‘very comfortable’ bedrooms, however: each has floor-to-ceiling windows with ‘interesting’ river views. The rooms vary in size; family suites are designed for open-plan living, with separate quarters for smaller shipmates. ‘Ours had plenty of space for lounging around in.’ In the brasserie, chef Andrew Gault’s ‘unfussy’ modern menu leans towards seafood: try dishes such as fillet of sea trout, ratatouille, parsley mash potato. An all-day menu of light meals and snacks is available in the sleek bar/lounge. Take time for drinks on the riverside terrace – it’s ‘delightful when the sun shines’ – or hire the hotel’s yacht for a day’s sailing on the Solent. ‘The decking by the river seemed busy all day with visitors and lots of locals.’ Morning brings an ‘especially good’ breakfast, with ‘extensive’ choice: crushed avocado on toast; apple-sultana porridge; waffles, fresh berries, maple syrup. (LW)