Who says less is more? More is more for Ian and Christa Taylor, because, really, you can’t have too many colourful bird-themed cushions, headboards, lampshades, chandeliers, prints, paintings and paraphernalia. Occupying a pair of fine Victorian semis, with city views across sports fields, the 'quirky, characterful, colourful hotel' was washed by pink and purple lights as our inspectors approached. Beyond a 'cosy and colourful' reception with a complimentary larder of hyperactivity-inducing coloured sweets, bedrooms range from ‘dinky doubles’, ideal for singles, to a deluxe king with whirlpool bath. All have a pod coffee machine, posh toiletries and pizzazz. A second-floor ‘cosy king’ was ‘small but very nicely decorated’, with ‘artworks even in the marble-floored bathroom’. In the bar, Manet’s Folies Bergère barmaid looks down from the wall. In the restaurant and outside, menus are modern, ethically sourced, eclectic and might feature soy-glazed spatchcock chicken or hake and wild garlic Kiev. Breakfast brought ‘fresh juices, delicious mushrooms on toast, a full veggie with perfect poached egg’, served by a charming waitress. See also Homewood, Bath, sister venture in the aptly named Kaleidoscope Collection.