The Old Coastguard

‘My favourite hotel anywhere in the world,’ writes a reader of this welcoming pub-with-rooms in an enchanting Cornish fishing village. 'The whole team make my stay the most wonderful experience.' The third venture for the Inkin brothers (see The Felin Fach Griffin, Wales, and The Gurnard’s Head, Zennor), it has their signature relaxed, child-friendly, dog-friendly ambience and understated chic. Some bedrooms have a balcony; all have ground coffee, books, Bramley toiletries, a Roberts radio, no TV. One reader had a top-floor double with adjoining twin room. ‘Both were spacious, as was the bathroom, which boasted a walk-in shower (very powerful) as well as a bath. Decor was very tasteful.’ Another thought the rooms 'just perfect in every way', with the 'most comfortable beds'. Eat at an oak table by the fire, on the sun deck overlooking the sub-tropical garden, or on the sea-facing terrace. Food and wine receive consistently high praise. Expect cod with Jerusalem artichoke chips; rum baba with roasted white chocolate and blood orange. At breakfast, there is muesli, soda bread, apple juice, smoked salmon, the full Cornish, and ‘the marmalade is a highlight’. (Mick Eldridge, JC, and others)