Hotel Grosvenor

In medieval Shaftesbury, a traditional town-centre coaching inn, reinvented as a chic urban hotel, perfect for foodies, romantics and country lovers

One of the oldest, highest and arguably the prettiest hill towns in rural England, Shaftesbury is the essence of olde Dorset-shire. It has Saxon roots, a whiff of Thomas Hardy, cobbles, thatch, and a bird’s eye view of the Blackmore Vale from the top of iconic Gold Hill – famously captured in a sepia-tinted, 1970s advert for Hovis loaves, directed, incidentally, by a young Ridley Scott.

Hotel Grosvenor is the high street’s grande dame. Remodelled in the 18th century by the Duke of Westminster, it is Grade II* listed with a showy Georgian frontage and a splendid ballroom - but don’t imagine a trip down history’s memory lane. Sold to gastro-pub entrepreneur Charlie Barkshire in 2006 and re-opened 3 years later, the once faded inn has since undergone a glamorous makeover. And the emphasis is on 21st-century urban style: bold colour schemes (vibrant pinks, aubergines and electric blues), funky contemporary lighting by designer Bruce Munro (fibre-optic chandeliers, glassy tear-drop clusters), contemporary art, a cocktail bar (with a hint of nightclub) and a slate-lined inner courtyard. Oh, yes, and a Michelin-starred chef. There is nothing small-town about this smart, country-loving hotel.

Highs

• We loved the contrast - the happy mix of historic building and buzzy city vibe
• The restaurant – The Greenhouse is excellent and worth a special trip
• Generous rooms - not just big, but beautifully furnished in bold colours with Italian cottons, rain showers, Tassimo coffee machines and REN toiletries
• Great location in the heart of green-welly country, within easy access of Longleat, Cranborne Chase and Stonehenge

Lows

• The car park is a bit if a schlep and doesn’t have direct access to the hotel - though you can drop off luggage at reception en route
• No pool or spa