It takes a lot to win favour with Channel Five’s The Hotel Inspector. Here, ALEX POLIZZI picks five coastal retreats from her little black book of spick’n’span favourites

HARBOURMASTER HOTEL, CEREDIGION, WALES
Standing at the mouth of the picturesque harbour in Aberaeron is the handsome Harbourmaster Hotel.

The attractive zinc-topped bar which dominates the entrance is lit by six copper hanging lights. The reception area is filled with squashy sofas and paintings that immediately give you that sense of being by the sea.

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There are 13 bedrooms and the Aeron Queen is the most expensive and gorgeous. The pale-blue walls complement the deep-purple velvet sofa while the bright purple bathroom boasts a freestanding, cast-iron bath and a walk-in shower. Martha Jane is a smaller room with a wooden terrace, bright red walls and a velvet sofa.

The bar menu offers up homely fare with fish pie and Talsarn pork chop among the popular dishes.

● Harbourmaster Hotel (01545 570 755/ www.harbour-master.com) offers doubles from £110 per night (two sharing), B&B.

THE BULL HOTEL, DORSET
A charming hotel in the heart of the Dorset market town of Bridport, not far from the picturesque Jurassic Coast.

This converted 16th-century coaching inn is quirky and has a decor best described as “shabby chic”.

An unmatched leather sofa and armchairs perch by the window and bold wallpaper and antiques feature in the 16 bedrooms. Some have draped carved wooden four-posters with views overlooking West Bay harbour.

Its restaurant has the feel of a gastro pub but the food surpasses anything that goes by that name. The modern British menu makes full use of the seafood caught just a mile up the coast.

Nearby, the market on South Street has some wonderful bric-a-brac stalls, while the more energetic should take a water taxi across to Lyme Regis for a romp back along the coastal path.

● The Bull Hotel (01308 422 878/www.thebullhotel.co.uk) offers doubles from £95 per night (two sharing), B&B.

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GALLON HOUSE, YORKSHIRE
A three-bedroomed B&B with one of the most stunning views in England. Perched overlooking the dramatic Nidd Gorge at Knaresborough in North Yorkshire and flanked by the ruins of a 14th-century castle, Gallon House is a haven of peace, tranquility and, above all, fantastic food.

Designed in 1830s Bavarian style, the living room is a magnificent light oak-panelled room leading through to a conservatory. The three bedrooms are small but cosy and equipped with extra touches, such as trays replete with bottles of the locally brewed Black
Sheep Ale. Food is classic British, including roast asparagus wrapped in Yorkshire air-dried ham. The spa town of Harrogate, with its regal 19th-century architecture, is a 10-minute train ride away.

● Gallon House (01423 862 102/www.gallon-house.co.uk) offers doubles from £120 per night (two sharing), B&B.

HOTEL TRESANTON, CORNWALL
Guests of all ages can’t help but be captivated by Tresanton’s seaside charm. It sits above a rocky beach, its stretch of sand exposed at low tide along with a thousand rockpools.

This is a hotel where there is always a shrimping net available and where huge umbrellas are ready in every room should the weather turn nasty.

There are 29 bedrooms in four different buildings with whitewashed walls that unite the original row of fishermen’s cottages. The terrace is packed with holidaying families in the summer. Order grilled lobster and chips in the restaurant and indulge in the homemade ice-creams.

Away from the beach, the village of Tresanton has jewellery and clothes boutiques and there are some wonderful National Trust gardens nearby, including Trelissick.

● Hotel Tresanton (01326 270 055/www.tresanton.com) offers doubles from £240 per night (two sharing), B&B.

THE THREE CHIMNEYS, INNER HEBRIDES, SCOTLAND
An hour’s drive west of Inverness, over the Skye Bridge and you start slowly wending your way towards The Three Chimneys. Run initially as a tea shop, the owners emphasise its designation as a restaurant with rooms.

The restaurant itself can seat 38 in several small rooms where the varnished stone walls are lit by candles in sconces. The menu showcases local produce and is heavily slanted towards seafood. Six en-suite bedrooms located next door to the restaurant in The
House Over-By are all comfortable with junior suites furnished with king-size beds and sofas.

Outside, head to the beautiful white Coral Beach at Claigan, which has wonderful views over to the town of Dunvegan.

● The Three Chimneys (01470 511 258/ www.threechimneys.co.uk) offers doubles from £285 per night (two sharing), B&B.
 
● Alex Polizzi’s Little Black Book Of Hotels (Quadrille Publishing, £20) is out now. To order a copy, send a cheque or PO made payable to Express Bookshop to Polizzi Offer, PO BOx 200, Falmouth, TR11 4WJ. Or order at Expressbookshop.com or call 0871988 8367 (calls cost just 10p per minute from UK landlines). Delivery is free.