Grays, Bath

Grays lies on a residential street in the Oldfield Park area, high up on the southern slopes of Bath. It's around 15 minutes' walk uphill from the centre of the city and the train station, so you may end up getting a taxi or two during your stay. There is free off-street parking. In the vicinity lies Alexandra Park, from which there's a panoramic view over the city, and Menu Gordon Jones, a top Bath restaurant.

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

This is a very attractive bed and breakfast whose carefully crafted décor - picture chic French-style furnishings and matching colour schemes - is a big part of the appeal. The semi-detached Victorian villa is spacious and well-proportioned, with a sweeping staircase overhung with gilt mirrors and architectural prints of Bath rising from the hall.

Grays is owned by Mark Cole, a Bath resident and also owns Brindleys, another first-rate bed and breakfast in the city. Grays is very well managed by James Hill and Eliza Jablonska. They live in an apartment by the garden at the back of the house and can be contacted at any time, though Grays is staffed to 7 pm in the evening.

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

Each of the 12 bedrooms has its own tasteful design, with coordinated colours and patterns for cushions, bed throws and curtains. Some rooms have high, corniced ceilings, while those on the top floor are cosy spaces in the eaves. Limestone bathrooms are mostly with good power showers only.

Room types: Rooms 1-12

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

Grays provides an excellent breakfast - though early risers should note it's only available from 8.30 am onwards. As well as cereals, yoghurts and fruit, there's a good choice of cooked dishes, including a vegetarian platter, smoked salmon and scrambled eggs, and Eggs Benedict, Florentine or Royale.

Breakfast: continental, cooked and vegetarian options, locally-sourced produce. Served 8.30-10am daily.