Bedford Lodge Hotel & Spa

Situated right in the heart of the town's internationally renowned thoroughbred industry, sandwiched between two of its most illustrious stables, the Bedford Lodge Hotel & Spa is very much the place to stay in Newmarket – a large hotel that's just a short walk from the famous Gallops, where you can see horses training every morning from first light.

The privately owned hotel has grown piecemeal over the years from its original Georgian core, and most of its rooms are now in a more recent rear extension. There's a generosity to even the standard bedrooms, with all boasting king-size beds, air-con, password-free wifi, Smart TVs, and tea- and coffee-making facilities with fresh milk, water and biscuits. The bathrooms have all been recently refurbished and are well-appointed. Superior rooms have a separate bath and shower, as well as bluetooth speakers and super-king-size beds. There are also six light and spacious suites in the original Georgian building, furnished with fruit bowls and welcome treats, juices and chocolates and featuring his-and-her sinks.  Finally, they have a self-contained separate building 'The Muse'. Accommodating up to 6 people, comprising of one executive suite, two superior rooms and a private dining area.

There’s a nice bar that’s open all day and into the early hours, and a smallish restaurant – Squire’s – that does a good job of balancing high-end dishes with favourites like fish-and-chips and a good range of steaks. There's a good-value fixed-price menu; going a la carte is pricier but offers a more fine dining experience. Or 24-hour room service gives you another option.

The Roxana bar is open all day and very inviting, flowing onto an outside terrace and the hotel's Squires restaurant. Closed Monday and Tuesday lunchtimes, this is a pleasant, well-lit space that also does a good job of balancing run-of-the-mill favourites like fish-and-chips and burgers and dry aged Hereford steaks with simple but slightly more upscale fare  – mains start go for £20–£25, and you can eat either in the restaurant or the bar, where they also serve sandwiches until 6pm. You can also enjoy afternoon tea in Squires from Wednesday to Sunday.

The clincher though is the fabulous range of amenities, including a 15-metre pool, plus sauna, steam room and a good-sized gym. A spa in a separate building features light-drenched hydrotherapy pool, rooftop hot tub and various treatment rooms (pool and fitness club are included in your stay – the spa is an additional cost). Basically, whether you're here for the horse-racing or just want to see a bit of Suffolk, the Bedford Lodge is by far the best fanciest choice – and it would make a great venue for a wedding.