Rothay Manor, Ambleside, Lake District

On the western outskirts of Ambleside, screened by its gardens, it avoids the tourist crowds yet is only a ten-minute walk from the town and Lake Windermere. With its central location, many of the popular Lake District destinations, such as Langdale valley, Hawkshead and Grasmere, are within 30 minutes. Traffic noise, from the encircling roads, is unavoidable from the gardens and some bedrooms.

By car: the hotel is 1 hour 40 mins from Manchester, around 3 hours from Edinburgh and 5 hours from London. There is free parking on site.

By train: trains run from Manchester Piccadilly (just over 1 hour), London Euston (3 hours) and Edinburgh (2 hours) to Oxenholme Lake District station. The hotel is a 30-minute taxi ride from the station. Book trains to Oxenholme.

The strikingly white-painted house (with sympathetic extensions) shows off its original features - sweeping sash windows, handsomely proportioned rooms - with a soft and subtle contemporary style: pale grey and green colours, polished wood floors, elegant chairs. Framed vintage postcards and etchings of local scenes hang on walls, and there's a refreshing lack of clutter.

With two sitting rooms plus a terrace and gardens, the hotel feels spacious, with enough areas to sit and talk at ease. Guests have complimentary access to the pool and spa facilities of a hotel in Ambleside, although it's a ten-minute walk. The hotel also offers a range of themed breaks such as walking and painting.

• Restaurant
• Bar
• Pet-friendly
• Family-friendly
• Free parking
• Free Wi-Fi

These are tip-top rooms where real thought has gone into their design and colours, but nothing is over-fussy. Contemporary country house in style, they're immensely inviting with bold headboards, soft colours, pale-washed furniture and splashes of colour in feature wallpapers and velvet-upholstered armchairs.

Room types: Classic, Classic Plus, Superior, Superior Plus, Suite

Key amenities: ensuite bathroom with Noble Isle toiletries, TV, tea and coffee facilities, free Wi-Fi

The fine-dining option is a la carte or select-your-own taster menu with creative Modern British dishes such as Cumbrian beef with crab apple. For something less fancy, there's a lounge menu with options such as braised lamb shoulder or duck salad. Both have vegetarian options.

Restaurant: 3 AA Rosettes, seasonal produce, formal fine dining. Open daily for dinner. Dinner a la carte £60, five-course tasting menu £70, seven-course tasting menu £90.

Brathay Room: informal, bar menu served 6-9pm. Afternoon tea served daily, £24.50pp.