Readers adore Colin and Hari Fell's blissful rural retreat in the Wye valley with the enchanted Forest of Dean on the doorstep. ‘Three nights at one of my favourite hotels,' writes one. ‘Another visit to our favourite bolthole,’ say others. Bedrooms, in the farmhouse and a converted cider house and barn, are classed as hatchling, hen, cockerel, and suites, and are priced accordingly. Rustic chic they are indeed, many with exposed timbers. Those higher up the pecking order have a roll-top bath and walk-in monsoon shower. All have a mini-fridge and espresso machine. One room has an antique four-poster; The Nest has a separate lounge area. 'Our twin-bedded room was small but adequate and nicely furnished; the bathroom had underfloor heating and upmarket toiletries.' As lovely as they are, 'the real attraction is the food'. 'We were particularly impressed by the quality and variety of the dinner menu,' writes a reader who stayed for three nights this year. Local produce features in both the à la carte and tasting menus and there's a 'particularly impressive' list of non-alcoholic wines and cocktails on the wine list. ‘I had sea bream on two nights because it was so good.’ 'The roast lamb was superb.' (Sir Franklin Berman, PA, AK, and others)