Castle Street, Hereford.
Tel: 01432 356321.
Fax: 01432 365909.
email: info@castlehse.co.uk website: www.castlehse.co.uk

First impressions: Completely refurbished Georgian villa in the centre of the city overlooking the cathedral. Quiet, calm, refined decor in semi-formal north-European style. Friendly, open, enthusiastic local staff working with teams of spiffy top-drawer French and Dutch hoteliers and restaurateurs. Maximum attention to detail. AA's hotel of the year 2001.

The rooms: Light, bright, fresh and modern without being minimalist or cliched English "country house". Ten generous-sized suites, one double and four singles. Furnishings all new. Fabrics spectacular. Tapestries, paintings and flowers abound.

The bed test: Immense and unparalleled luxury. Extremely easy to get into, but hard to get out of.

The bathroom test: Marble and woods, telephone, robes, views, smells and top soaps.

Restaurant: Small gourmet menu heading for awards. Supplied by its own farm and overseen by former Savoy chef Stuart McLeod. Regional bias, international standards. Low on vegetarian offerings, high on details, spectacularly presented and very reasonably priced. Immense, well-chosen wine list.

The lounge: Small, relaxed and cheerful, but hardly needed because the suites are of similar size and quality

What is there to see within walking distance: The medieval cathedral with its Mappa Mundi and chained library is next door. Nell Gwynn's birthplace 100 yards.

How much a night? Suites £165-210. Double £155. Single £90.