The Swan at Lavenham is one of England’s oldest inns, dating back to 1425. All 45 bedrooms are charmingly furnished, many displaying old beams and original medieval features. AA rosetted cusine is available either in the Gallery Restaurant or in the less formal Garden Lounge. Lavenham has one of Suffolk’s largest churches as well as other well preserved timber buildings.

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Clarice House near Bury St Edmunds is a luxury spa with 13 bedrooms. The gym has an advanced computer system Fitlinxx which gives guests a virtual training partner. There is a dance studio and Pilates, Callenetics, Reiki, Reflexology and other treatments are available. The owner also owns non-residential spas in Ipswich and Colchester.

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Bedford Lodge Hotel was originally an 18th century hunting lodge for the then Duke of Bedford. Today it is a thriving hotel with spa, pool and catering for weddings and conferences. The hotel can arrange riding, fishing, falconry and off-road activities. The famous Newmarket Horseracing Museum is on the doorstep.

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Hintlesham Hall dates back to the 15th century. Today it is a grand mansion sitting in its own 175 acre parkland. It has a gym and health club and next door is an associated 18-hole golf course. Robert Carrier used to run a cookery school from here when it was a private house. Bedrooms and reception rooms are spacious and the cuisine has two AA rosettes.

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The Old Rectory, Campsea Ashe, near Woodbridge, is a quintessential home-from home experience where guests are treated like a member of the family. There are extensive gardens, some ground floor rooms, and dinner is only served on certain evenings. The house is next to the church and there are numerous walks from the Rectory. There is a railway station in the village.

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Milsoms Kesgrave Hall is a former Grade II Listed Georgian mansion on the northern side of the city, surrounded by its own parkland. It has been transformed into a contemporary hotel with a quick-throughput restaurant and four classes of bedroom. All are quiet and luxurious with the latest electronic equipment. There are three private meeting/dining rooms in addition.

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The Crown, Stoke-by-Nayland is a delightful low-build Inn with 11 stylish rooms in a separate building. They have Matki showers, Egyptian cotton linen and all the latest gadgets. The 120-ft tower in the village features in the works of 18th century English landscape artist John Constable. Dedham Vale is nearby.

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The Wentworth in Aldeburgh has been in the same family ownership for 40 years and host Michael knows most of his customers by name. It has a panoramic dining room and cuisine specializes in locally caught seafood. Some bedrooms are in a modern block behind the hotel. Each bedroom has a copy of Orlando, the Marmalade Cat in it.

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The Swan at Southwold is a town centre hotel of 42 bedrooms, 17 of which are on the ground floor, clustered around the old Bowling Green behind the hotel, The hotel rubs shoulders with the ASdnams Brewery in the town, who own it. De luxe suites have telescopes and there is an award winning restaurant. Parking can be tricky.

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The Brudenell Hotel stands on the waterfront at Aldeburgh, opposite the shingle beach. It has 44 bedrooms, either with sea view or town view to the rear. The hotel is contemporarily furnished in vibrant colours. There is a brasserie-type dining room and terrace for summer al fresco dining. T&A Hotels also owns the White Lion in the town.

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