Stoke By Nayland Hotel, Golf & Spa, Levenheath, Suffolk

The location is bucolic rural Suffolk at its best, in the heart of the Dedham Vale Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, with walks galore on your doorstep. It's also well placed for exploring some of the best bits of the county, most notably the sights of Constable Country - so-called for the fact that the 19th-century landscape painter lived and worked around here for most of his life.

By car: 25 minutes from Colchester, 30 minutes from Ipswich. Free parking is available directly in front of the hotel.

By train: Bures station and Colchester station are both a 15-20-minute drive away and serviced by trains from London, Norwich (1 hour) and Cambridge (2 hours). Book trains.

It's not an especially stylish hotel, but perhaps because of the location, the feel is one of comfort and relaxation, where nothing is too much trouble and everything is built around leisure activities.

The hotel has high standards of service throughout and is piled high with facilities, including a large indoor pool and hot tub, a well-fitted-out gym, squash courts and of course the golf courses.

• Gallery Grill
• Sports Bar
• Golf
• Lounge Bar
• 2 AA Rossette Lakes Restaurant
• Peake Bistro
• Afternoon tea

• Spa with pool, steam Room, sanarium, Jacuzzi, Concept Shower

• Family-friendly rooms

• Children's menu

The rooms vary from standard 'Club' rooms (with no views) to deluxe doubles and junior suites, whose views over the golf courses and grounds are worth paying extra for. They also have some secret, light-filled lodges deep in the grounds that make for a very secluded place to stay.

Room types: Executive Singles, Club Rooms, Gainsborough Doubles, Deluxe Doubles, Deluxe Twins, Club Triple, Penthouse, Suites

Key amenities: ensuite bathroom, writing desk, tea and coffee-making facilities, hairdryer, 24-hour room service, free Wi-Fi

The bar has a nice vibe which flows through to the restaurant next door, where you can enjoy an eclectic but accessible fine-ish dining menu in the evening or opt for the simpler grill fare of the restaurant above the clubhouse.

Lakes Restaurant: fine dining, 2 AA Rossette, outdoor terrace. A la carte menu £24 for two courses, £29 for three courses. Open daily from noon - 10pm.

Gallery Grill: panoramic views, grilled meat and vegetarian dishes, afternoon tea. Open daily 6-9pm.