Hotel Review: East Walls Hotel, Chichester

The hotel is quietly situated beside a section of Chichester's old Roman walls yet within a few minute's walk of all the major shops. A short stroll will take you to Pallant House Gallery and the Novium Museum, and you're also handy for Chichester Festival Theatre - one of the top theatres outside London. Fishbourne Roman Palace, West Dean Gardens, sandy West Wittering beach and golf and racing at Goodwood are within easy reach.

By car: Chichester is around two hours' drive from London, just over one hour from Brighton and three hours from Birmingham. There is public parking nearby.

By train: Trains run from London Bridge, Victoria and Waterloo to Chichester, taking around 1 hour 30 mins. Trains from Brighton take 1 hour. The hotel is a five-minute taxi ride or 15-minute walk from Chichester station. Book trains to Chichester.

In a stylish, time-straddling mash-up, antique furniture meets muted contemporary colours and splash patterned carpets. Carved wooden chests, chaise lounges and Venetian-style mirrors add character and a sense of luxury and every surface in the restored building seems to have a quality finish.

The hosts are happy to chat and make recommendations and are perfect to quiz if you have a restoration project of your own underway. There's a small, smart bar, handy for pre-theatre drinks. Two secure parking spaces can be reserved for £20 a night, otherwise, guests use nearby public parking.

• Bar
• Breakfast lounge
• Garden
• Terrace
• Adults-only
• Free Wi-Fi

The rooms are of various sizes and categories, each including antique furnishings. Bathrooms are modern and well-lit. The East Row room downstairs has a freestanding roll-top bath opposite the bed, and there's also a separate Garden Suite with its own entrance.

Room types: Single, Double, Deluxe, King Deluxe, Premium, Honeymoon Suite, Garden Apartment

Key amenities: ensuite bathroom, tea and coffee-making facilities, Smart TV, bottled water, minibar, free Wi-Fi

Breakfast is served in an extension with Scandinavian-style pale wood cladding and, in summer, also on the adjoining garden deck. There's a varied continental buffet breakfast, while a full English, cheese on toast or pancakes can be cooked to order.

Breakfast lounge: full English or Irish cooked breakfast, continental selection. Served daily.

Bar: fine wines, premium spirits, cocktails, garden terrace.