Dukes, Bath

Dukes is on Great Pulteney Street, the biggest and grandest Georgian street in Bath and a must-see part of the city. The street is surprisingly peaceful, with not much passing traffic. It's five minutes' walk along the street to shop-lined Pulteney Bridge (another Georgian highlight); the city centre lies on the other side of the bridge. Close by is the Holburne Museum, Bath's premier art gallery, and, at the back of Sydney Gardens, access to a pretty stretch of the Kennet & Avon Canal.

By car: around 45 minutes from Bristol, 2 hours 30 minutes from London and 3 hours 30 minutes from Manchester.

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 15-minute walk from Bath Spa station. Book trains to Bath Spa.

Housed in a pair of Grade I listed 18th-century townhouses, its style is very much in keeping with the house's heritage. The welcoming lounge, with crystal chandelier, period portraits, long tasselled curtains, brown leather sofas, a marble fireplace and a log fire burning in winter, sets the tone.

Dukes' hands-on owner Carole Cameron is much in evidence, saying hello to all the guests at breakfast, advising on sightseeing and so forth. Day to day, Dukes is run with great enthusiasm and efficiency by the vivacious Katie and her partner Tom, who live at the property. The reception is staffed until 10 pm or later.

• Breakfast
• Bar
• Room service
• Garden
• Free parking
• Free Wi-Fi

The atmospheric bedrooms are mostly kitted out with reproduction Georgian-era furniture and decorated with coordinated curtains and wallpaper in floral patterns, though a few have a plainer, more contemporary style. The rooms range from fairly palatial four-poster suites to small "Snug Doubles" up on the attic floor. Bathrooms are somewhat old-fashioned.

Room types: Snug Double, Standard Double, Superior Double, Deluxe Suite, Four Poster

Key amenities: ensuite bathroom with complimentary toiletries, towels and bathrobes, desk, TV, free Wi-Fi

Breakfasts, taken in an inviting, yellow-coloured basement dining room, are very good. On offer are fruit salads, stewed prunes and apricots, meats and cheeses, pastries, and a wide selection of cooked dishes, including pancakes, porridge with whisky, and smoked haddock and kippers. Ingredients are carefully sourced and Dukes is good at accommodating dietary requirements.

Breakfast: locally-souced ingredients, full english, fish, vegan, gluten-free and continental options available.