There's certainly nothing monastic about this much-loved 'olde-world hotel with charm in abundance', in a 'wonderful building with a cleverly added glass dining room' looking out over gardens bordered by the River Frome. 'We always forget what a marvellous hotel it is,' wrote a guest who returned after staying many times. Each beautifully styled bedroom has its own charm, some with beams, sloping ceilings and antiques, perhaps up steep staircases tucked in the eaves, with gorgeous garden views to the river. Others overlook an inner courtyard. The most opulent are in the waterside Boat House, where Mallard mini-suite has a four-poster, a balcony, a spa bath and walk-in shower while Swan has a lounge with French doors to a riverside veranda. 'Our Boat House suite was very comfortable and spacious,' readers report. In the restaurant, Stephan Guinebault's menus include dishes such as roasted Guinea fowl breast and braised leg of ravioli or pan-fried sea bass with ginger. 'The food was excellent, the service friendly, and it was lovely to have canapés while ordering the meal and petits fours with coffee and tea afterwards.' 'The best food we have had for a long time,' write others. (JB, DC)