Strattons

Vanessa and Les Scott opened Strattons well over twenty years ago now, and either they were remarkably ahead of the curve, or they have adapted it to be almost the epitome of a new breed of British boutique hotel, with an attractive historic building, a great restaurant and extremely comfortable rooms that are contemporary and welcoming – and a little bit quirky.

Tucked away in a courtyard away from what passes for the urban hum of Swaffham, there are eight rooms in the main house – five doubles and three suites – and each has been individually designed, varying from the extravagant, Louis XIV inspired opulence of the Boudoir and Red Room to the funky lines of the Seagull room and the Portico room with its bathtub and mermaid mosaic. There are also two slick self-catering apartments in a converted printworks across the garden (Print 1 and 2), each decorated with an impeccable eye for detail, two further double rooms in a converted cottage (CoCoes 1 and 2), and two opulent suites, one of which is in the old stable (Stalls) while the other (the two-tier Opium suite) is in the former groom's cottage and has a free-standing bath tub at the end of a large double bed. Wi-fi is free throughout, although a bit erratic in the annexes. They also have a trio of pet-friendly rooms.

Overall you couldn't be more comfortable, surrounded by the fruits of Les and Vanessa's magpie-like travels and ultra-vivid imaginations. The restaurant is fab, and although it's only open in the evening, they serve a superb traditional afternoon tea if booked in advance. And the on-site café and deli – CoCoes – does excellent coffee and pastries and cooks up a storm at lunchtime and is open till 5pm every day.