With rustic-chic accommodation in barns and shepherds' huts, an organic kitchen garden supplying inventive menus in the Great Barn restaurant, and a spa and gym, this hotel in fruit-farming country is an ideal place to relax and recharge.

The wonky charms of this timber-frame 15th-century coaching inn combine with smart bedrooms retaining original features, and estate-to-plate dining in the bar, restaurant and courtyard.

The defunct 17th-century Marquis of Cornwallis pub has been enlarged, refurbished and reborn as a luxury hotel and wedding venue with exclusive subterranean spa, outdoor and indoor dining, and sweeping views over the Brett Valley.

The views from this quayside Victorian hotel overlooking the Stour and Orwell estuaries are ocean-going and full of action, while the industrial-chic ground-floor bar is the place for small plates, ales and interesting gins, the first-floor brasserie for fish and shellfish landed almost on the doorstep, the comfy bedrooms for a great night's sleep.

In deepest Constable country, Wendy and Jim Sarton's characterful timber-frame manor house specialises in residential art courses; there is a large studio in the ground for workshops from tutors in various mediums. But even if you're not interested in taking a course, it's a great place for an 'extremely relaxing weekend'.

Within the Suffolk Coast and Heaths AONB, this dog friendly former coaching inn, part of the Chestnut Collection, with interiors inspired by the landscape, has rustic-chic and contemporary bedrooms, a bar menu, and modern dishes served in a light-filled dining room and outdoors.

A pebble's throw from the beach, George Pell's sky-blue restaurant with rooms offers beautiful accommodation, drinks and bar snacks on the roof terrace, and a short menu of locally sourced dishes, from Butley Creek oysters to a côte de boeuf for sharing.

With quirky, stylish bedrooms, spa, tennis court and outdoor pool, the Milsom family's country house in the heart of Constable country is a perfect place to relax and recharge. Guests have a choice of brasserie-style menus at nearby sister hotel Milsoms, and fine dining at the legendary Talbooth Restaurant, in a Tudor building right by the River Stour.

Occupying three wonky, half-timbered 15th-century buildings in this picture-postcard wool town, the Swan blends modern comforts with original features in a wide choice of bedrooms, offering adventurous cooking in the lofty Gallery and simpler fare in the brasserie.