The Crown at Stoke by Nayland

Rooms

A recent addition to the pub (built in 2008), the 11 rooms are housed in a weatherboarded building out back. Inside, they are immaculate, with kingsize beds, top-quality linens, and country views or terraces. Look more closely and you'll find some beautiful fittings and furnishings made by Jim Lawrence: woven-metal handles and curtain rails, beautiful porcelain lamps and classic armchairs.

Our top choice would be the country-style rooms on the first floor, which we loved, with their white iron bedsteads and aqua Nina Campbell 'Birdcage' wallpaper. On the ground floor, the rooms are contemporary with cherrywood sleigh beds, scarlet damask curtains, boldly patterned wallpapers and suede lampshades, but (we felt) slightly sterile, with a lack of homely touches such as paintings and plants. That said, the rooms in general couldn't be more comfortable; everything is in place for a relaxing stay: DVD player, well-stocked minibar, WiFi, an ironing board etc.

Bathrooms are fabulous throughout, with Matki walk-in showers, deep tubs, French toiletries, and piles of sumptuous towels. Underfloor heating was lovely in the mornings (less so in the middle of the night, when the bedroom got way too hot).