The fourth of Robin Hutson’s informal, coolly rustic hotels, this little Pig went to the beach, settling in a ‘wonderful location’ – a rambling manor house in gardens facing Studland Bay. ‘Beautifully designed bedrooms’ range from ‘cheap and cheerful’ to rather more generous, via a couple of cottages and two quirky shepherds’ huts with sea views. ‘We were upgraded to the Bothy, a wonderful thatched solus room within the bountiful walled kitchen garden. It’s eclectic and shabby-chic, which is fun, but more importantly, it works. Everything in the room is there both for a purpose and to make it special, without any sense of bling.’ Plus: ‘It’s got the best-stocked minibar I’ve ever encountered.’ The kitchen garden dictates the dishes served in the conservatory dining room. ‘The 25-mile menu was difficult to choose from, because we wanted to try so many things. Everything we did choose hit the spot – we’re still raving about the juicy, tender partridge.’ (When weekend drop-in diners threaten to overwhelm, a separate residents’ area is ‘a welcome retreat’.) ‘We loved breakfast.’ (Danielle Hommel, James Waghorn)