The Ashbourne Hotel, BW Signature Collection

We’d happily spend hours there. The atmosphere was comfortable but still had a bit of class, and it felt relaxed and lively at the same time. The staff were lovely and attentive, and seemed to genuinely care that everyone was having a good time. Every course, from the starters to dessert, was delicious, full of flavour, and beautifully presented. You could tell care had gone into the food and the ingredients were good quality. We went for Sunday lunch and had a perfect afternoon from the moment we arrived. We’re already thinking about going back. One of the best Sunday lunches we’ve had, and easy to recommend.

The room was clean, and the restaurant food was really good. The hotel also had a lovely cottage feel, with very nice Christmas decorations. I took a star off because there’s no lift, and the staff won’t help carry bags upstairs. Bring extra help or pack light.

Wouldn’t recommend it. My room was awful, with a strong musty smell. The bathroom was badly maintained and looked like something from an early 90s student house. The mattress felt like it was mostly springs, and the TV was crooked on its wall mount. Terrible stay.

The food was the saving grace, and the drinks were reasonably priced. I got the room on a special deal, but one night was enough. The hotel seems aimed at single workmen, so expect shorts, baseball caps and expletives while you eat. I’ve stayed at lots of Best Westerns because my rewards card level is high, and this one fell short. We had to find our way along muddy tracks after a road closure, with no warning from the hotel. Our room still wasn’t ready past check-in, so we waited in a small lounge that felt like a dark 1970s pub. I was offered two tepid cups of milk passed off as flat whites. We were in a building away from the main one, which meant going out in the weather to eat and so on. The room was okay, but not what I’d call executive. It was hot, especially at night, the bed was rock hard and badly made, and the quilt was far too warm. The shower bracket was broken, so I had to hold the showerhead with one hand. There was no bathroom blind, and the sealant around the window tiles looked bodged. The TV was tiny and wedged in a corner. The staff, apart from one person, worked hard, but they were overworked. Go further up the A16 and try the Brackenborough instead.