‘A great stay, great staff, accommodation, food, and all in a lovely river setting.’ A resounding endorsement from a reader this year for Robert Wilson and Tim Lloyd’s hotel on the banks of the Stour. A warm welcome included birthday wishes to his wife, and an upgrade to a ‘fabulous suite with two luxury bathrooms, huge lounge, fully fitted kitchen (fresh milk and bottled water in the fridge), floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking river, terrace and jetty.’ Fabulous indeed, but even ‘just’ a room comes with a Nespresso machine, room service, Aromatherapy Associates toiletries. With the look of a cruise ship, the hotel has a free-and-easy vibe. Boating folk moor and come aboard for all-day dining in the bar, lounge or alfresco. In the restaurant ‘with a glass-covered waterfall’, a ‘perfect fillet steak’ came with ‘triple-cooked chips and trimming’. Andrew Gault’s menus include plenty of fresh fish, perhaps baked halibut, leek stir fry, prawn wonton, crispy leeks, ginger and lemongrass sauce, and good veggie options. Nor does breakfast disappoint, with everything from the full English to hummus on granary toast, and an anti-oxidant smoothie. ‘A worthy entry.’ (Ian Malone)