Olga Polizzi's beautifully styled Georgian fishing lodge, built for the Duke of Bedford and scandalous Duchess Georgiana, stands in a picturesque designed landscape replete with follies with the River Tamar running through. ‘This has to be our favourite hotel. Perfect country house style executed effortlessly, and the food just gets better and better,’ write fans of the excpetional hotel. Mrs Polizzi has brought her infallible eye to the design of interiors, which includes some of the original hand-painted wallpaper. Most rooms have a bath with hand-held shower; two have a walk-in shower. For families there are stables suites, some with a kitchenette. The first-floor Lady Olga suite has a sitting room and study area, a log burner, space for two child bunks or a cot. Dine from a short, elegant menu, on locally sourced dishes such as haunch of venison, ragout, piccolo parsnip, garlic cavolo nero; turbot, seaweed beurre blanc; wild mushroom risotto, truffled taleggio, gremolata. Morning brings freshly squeezed juices, pastries, a grilled kipper, full English, smashed avocado on sourdough. ‘Breakfast was excellent, with everything served at the table.’ See also The Star, Alfriston and Hotel Tresanton, St Mawes. (Oliver Thomas)