Hotel Review: The Cookie Jar, Northumberland

On a quiet street on the northern edge of Alnwick, the hotel is away from the town's busy centre yet only a five-minute walk, as is the entrance to one of the town's major attractions: Alnwick Castle. The A1, half a mile away, handily bypasses the town, while the nearest station, Alnmouth, is a ten-minute taxi ride. The home of the Duke and Duchess of Northumberland, Alnwick Castle has all the trappings you'd expect of England's second-largest lived-in castle and Harry Potter film location; neighbouring Alnwick Garden is a striking contemporary affair.

By car: the hotel is just under 4 hours from Manchester and 6 hours 30 mins from London.

By train: Alnmouth station is a 10-minute taxi ride away. Trains from London Kings Cross and Manchester, via Newcastle, take around 3 hours 30 minutes. Book trains to Alnmouth.

The conversion of this sandstone former convent is a lesson in how to do a modern but still countrified, country-house look: burnished floorboards, leather armchairs, geometric-patterned fabrics, tongue-and-groove panelling and an overarching colour scheme of deep blues and creams. A mix of traditional and quirky decorative objects - Delft china plates and contemporary glassware - keeps it light as does the bold designer lighting.

An inviting sitting room, with armchairs and a sofa, is lined with a wall of classic Penguin books, should you run out of reading material. Alternatively, there's a large paved and heated south-facing terrace quietly situated at the rear. Shooting parties are well catered for with gun cabinets, drying rooms and dog kennels (less sporty dogs are allowed in bedrooms), and fishing can be arranged. Staff are local, knowledgeable and quietly professional.

• Sitting room
• Bistro
• Terrace
• Dog-friendly
• Gun room
• Free Wi-Fi

Continuing the same blue-and-white theme, and boutique country-house look, rooms offer statement wallpapers, big headboards and upholstered armchairs with thick bed throws and the odd vintage piece keeping things warm and inviting. Cosy rooms are just that, but with the same comforts as luxury rooms. Bathrooms are dazzling-white and modern.

Room types: Cosy Room, Luxury Room, Mother Superior Room, The Chapel

Key amenities: ensuite shower or bath, luxury toiletries, tea and coffee facilities, TV

The set two- or three-course dinners offer Modern British dishes such as poached halibut with pearl barley risotto and lamb with sweetbread croquette, and are pricey by Northumberland standards. Breakfast offers a modest cooked-to-order choice including local Craster kippers and a full grill.

The Bistro: British fine dining. Open Thurs-Sat for lunch and Thurs-Sun for dinner. Set menu from £37.50.

Afternoon tea: served Thurs-Sat, 12-3.30pm. From £22.50.