Brindleys, Bath

In a quiet residential area, at the end of a terrace of Victorian houses. It's a pleasant and flat ten-minute walk to the shops and key attractions such as the Roman Baths and Thermae Bath Spa in the city centre - and likewise about ten minutes on foot to the train station. The untouristy villagey district of Widcombe, with its cluster of characterful shops and good places to eat such as the White Hart.

By car: around 45 minutes from Bristol, 2 hours 30 minutes from London and 3 hours 30 minutes from Manchester. There is free parking on site.

By train: there are direct services to Bath Spa from Bristol Temple Meads (11 minutes), Cardiff Central (1 hour 5 minutes) and London Paddington (1 hour 15 minutes). The hotel is around a 10-minute walk from Bath Spa station. Book trains to Bath Spa.

The sign hanging outside says "Boutique B&B", and that's a fair description. The end-of-terrace Victorian house has been decorated in a fetching French country-chic style and personalised with pretty prints and paintings. Though not a big place, mirrors dotted all around make it feel more spacious than it actually is.

Brindleys is owned by Mark Cole, who lives in Bath and has another top-notch B&B in Bath called Grays. Brindleys is run on a day-to-day basis by live-in managers Tina and David, who fuss over guests as well as cook and serve breakfasts. If you need them at any time, you ring a bell to their apartment.

• Breakfast
• Garden
• Free parking
• Free Wi-Fi

The six individual bedrooms have been carefully stylised with matching colour schemes. They have attractive French-style painted furniture, ruched curtains, natty cushions and bed throws, and in some cases, upholstered, check-patterned bed headboards. The cheapest rooms are on the small side, the bathrooms are modern and shower-only.

Room types: Rooms 1-6

Key amenities: ensuite bathroom with Caroline Henry of Bath toiletries, bathrobes and towels, double bed, tea and coffee-making facilities, free Wi-Fi

Breakfasts are delicious and substantial. On offer are fruit platters, fruit compote, croissants and pains au chocolat, and a choice of cooked dishes. Note that breakfast is served quite late: from 8.30 am on weekdays, from 9 am at weekends.

Breakfast: cooked and continental options, locally-sourced produce. Served Mon-Fri 8.30-9.30am and Sat-Sun 9.00-10.00am.