The Roseate Villa, Bath

Located on a quiet street in a residential area, directly across the street lie the ten acres of Henrietta Park, which opened in 1897. The city centre, Roman Baths and Bath Abbey are about a ten-minute walk away, on the other side of the River Avon across Pulteney Bridge.

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.

The Roseate Villa fills a pair of rather imposing stone-clad Victorian houses. It's much more attractive inside than out, with a sweeping double staircase, pretend-bookcase wallpaper in the hall and on landings, and an air of unfussy and understated elegance and civility permeating the bedrooms and breakfast room and bar.

The Roseate Villa is part of a small collection of hotels in India and the UK. It is exceedingly well managed by Caroline Browning (Muttley, her border terrier, may be in evidence too), and the uniformed staff are very professional. Lots of help on the best Bath restaurants to book is on offer before and during your stay.

• Breakfast
• Bar
• Afternoon tea
• Garden
• Pet-friendly
• Family rooms
• Free parking
• Free Wi-Fi

The stylish and pretty bedrooms come with shutters or blinds, one wall decorated with strikingly-patterned wallpaper, tartan cushions and armchairs, carefully coordinated colour schemes and smart black-and-white tiled bathrooms - the higher-grade rooms offer baths as well as showers.

Room types: Classic Superior, Luxury Garden View, Deluxe, Luxury Park View rooms, the Hideaway Suite

Key amenities: ensuite bathroom with Penhaligon toiletries, smart TV, digital radio, Hypnos bed, Egyptian cotton linen, free Wi-Fi

The food at Roseate Villa is outstanding. For breakfast, you can look forward to freshly-squeezed orange juice, homemade smoothies and jams, bread baked on the premises, and a wide selection of cooked dishes - plus a glass of Buck's Fizz (with Prosecco) to set you up for the day. The adjacent bar has a snacky menu that includes sourdough pizzas.

Henrietta Bar: elegant, cocktails, extensive wine list, local beers and pizzas. Cocktails from £7.95, pizzas from £12.95.

Afternoon tea: full tea service. Served Mon-Sun 2-5.30pm. £25pp, with champagne £35pp.