The Queensberry Hotel, Bath

Pretty much the ideal location for a long weekend in historic Bath - the only UK city to be designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Within walking distance of nearly all the must-see sights you're likely to want to tick off on your visit, yet quietly tucked away on a smart residential street just around the corner from all the action. The Assembly Rooms, Circus, Fashion Museum, Museum of East Asian Art and Royal Crescent are all within a five-minute stroll from the hotel, and the Roman Baths are located a further five-minute walk away.

By car: From London, the drive is 2 hours and 30 minutes. From Bristol, the drive is 36 minutes.

By train: From Paddington, the train takes around 1 hours and 20 minutes. From Bristol, the train journey takes half an hour. After that, the walk takes 16 minutes to the hotel. Instead, a taxi ride takes 8 minutes. Book trains to Bath.

The Queensberry, being independent and not part of a chain, has full licence to display its charismatic flair. There's a jaunty irreverence to some of the design details, such as the tongue-in-cheek version of the Queensberry Rules displayed in the bar (for example, number 8 states "Please remove motorcycle helmets before attempting to drink"), but the overall impression is still of refined elegance in keeping with its status as a luxury hotel.

The Queensberry feels very much a five-star establishment; the only things appearing to keep this hotel at four are the lack of a swimming pool and health club (but there's a wonderful Thermae Spa less than a ten-minute walk down the road if that's a worry). The well-dressed staff are helpful and charming without appearing smarmy.

• Restaurant
• Bar
• Family rooms
• Room service
• Parking
• Free Wi-Fi

All of the Queensberry's rooms and suites are individually decorated, yet all follow the hotel's design aesthetic, which might be described as stylishly fashionable yet fun. Each one is luxuriously well-appointed, featuring upmarket furnishings in tasteful colour schemes as well as thoughtful additions such as DAB radios with Bluetooth integration so you can stream music from your smartphone or tablet.

Room types: Club, Classic, Superior, Deluxe, Junior Suite, and Four Poster Suite

Key amenities: ensuite bathroom with White Company toiletries, TV and radio, free Wi-Fi

The Olive Tree is tucked away, rather surprisingly given its quality and reputation, down in the Queensberry's basement. Under the direction of Head Chef Chris Cleghorn (who is the protégé of a trio of world-class chefs: Heston Blumenthal, Michael Caines and Adam Simmonds), it has become Bath's only Michelin-starred restaurant and is worth a trip down to Bath in its own right.

The Olive Tree: Classic flavours, seasonal ingredients, modern techniques. Michelin-starred. Open Fri-Sun 12.30pm-1.30pm and Tues-Sun 6pm-9pm. Five courses for £70, seven for £90.