On the quayside, with views over estuary and salt marsh, Emma Stannard's family-friendly hotel ‘could offer an example to many so-called more “illustrious” venues’, writes a reader, one of its many fans. It is ‘popular and busy’, says another, ‘quite idiosyncratic and old-fashioned in many respects’. Bedroom choices include some with a terrace or direct garden access, and others with kids’ bunks. Some are ‘perhaps a little small, but they’re mainly for sleeping, and the public areas are large and welcoming’. You can take tea by a log fire in the ground-floor sitting room, a light lunch on the terrace. ‘There are plenty of helpful staff on hand, and a mass of facilities.’ An ‘extensive and nightly changing menu’ is a big plus. Typically it might include a dressed crab salad, roast sirloin of beef, tagliatelle with butternut squash, sage, chilli, pine nuts and rocket. ‘The food is ample and wholesome, nothing Cordon Bleu, but the hotel does not aspire to anything grand.’ ‘Breakfast was excellent with a good buffet for starters.’ ‘I much enjoyed the Cley kippers.’ The excellent service was very professional.’ (Ralph Aldwinckle, Anthony Bradbury, DS)