The Kennard, Bath

Pretty much as good as it gets in Bath. The B&B is on an attractive street with little traffic, very close to the city centre. It's just five-minute walk, via the famous Pulteney Bridge, to the Roman Baths and Bath Abbey, and about ten minutes on foot to the train station. Magnificent Great Pulteney Street, Bath's grandest Georgian thoroughfare, is 100 yards away. Henrietta Park, dotted with magnificent old trees, is nearby too.

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

The Kennard is an immensely civilised and elegant B&B, whose furnishings such as chandeliers and gilt mirrors are in keeping with the townhouse's Georgian heritage. The hallway, painted in dark blue and hung with striking photographic prints of the city's architectural landmarks, sets the tone.

South African owners Priya and Ajay Chathley, who live two doors down the street, provide outstanding service at every turn - greeting and fussing over guests, chatting at breakfast, fixing dinner reservations and so forth. The reception is open 8am-7pm; if you arrive later, you let yourself in with a code.

• Breakfast included
• Honesty bar
• Garden
• Library
• Free parking
• Free Wi-Fi

Bedrooms are individually decorated in pretty fabrics and wallpaper schemes and decent reproduction furniture. Big sash windows suffuse most of the rooms with plenty of light. Bathrooms have showers only and can be small, with the basin sometimes in the bedroom.

Room types: Standard Double, Snug Double, Superior Double, Twin Room, Triple, Single Room with shared bathroom

Key amenities: bathrobes, TV, homemade biscuits, tea and coffee-making facilities, free Wi-Fi

Breakfast is taken in the basement dining room at tables covered in ironed white tablecloths. There's a tempting buffet with freshly-squeezed orange juice, homemade granola and much else besides. The big choice of cooked dishes includes omelettes and smoked salmon and scrambled eggs.

Breakfast: buffet and cooked options, using very local produce. Served Mon-Fri 8-9.30am, Sat & Sun 8-10am. All options included in room rate.