Sue4

Like Patrick, I also stayed at the Hostellerie Les Griffons in Bourdeilles, northern Dordogne; in fact, I just got back from this trip last week. This little inn is absolutely wonderful! The room was beautiful, with views of the lovely old mill on the river from one window, and the ancient bridge from the other window. I hated to leave the room! I stayed there for 3 nights and had the half-board - a real bargain. Wonderful dinners every night. And the village of Bourdeilles is a real charmer, with a great chateau. I'm planning to do a trip report soon, and will gush some more about this lovely inn. And Patrick, while I was there, the husband seemed to be working harder than the wife. I think they have really good help now, especially in the dining room.

bigtyke

Ashcroft Guest House, Haltwhistle, Northumberland NE49 0DA phone 01434-320213
near Hadrian's Wall

Chateau de Tertes, Onzain (Loire Valley)

hopingtotravel

Bigtyke, that area is on my 'future' trips list. What did you like about Ashcroft?

llamalady

.....Les Charmes a Carlucet 12K east of
Sarlat. A 5* gîte in the countryside
with all the amenities of a resort.
Very pleasant hosts and very lovely
house.

jmw44

Thanks, Ella, for bringing this forward again. I find myself copying so many recommendations to file in my "just in case" box.

Well here's my contribution, one that I've mentioned many times before but cannot resist: The 15-room Hotel Panorama in Gerra-Gambarogno at the Swiss end of Lago Maggiore. Oh how I wish I were there this very minute! Its small balconies are just above the clay tile roofs of the lakeside houses, and you can hear the blue-green water lapping the shore. The Klomanns are gracious hosts, and half-board suppers are delicious, eaten at tables on the vine-covered terrace so you can watch the sunset. The Panorama is my favorite two-star. No contest. Ah well, my time is up. J.

sssteve

I couldn't resist adding another hotel to the list. We've stayed in many memorable places, but the one we remember when someone asks a question about our favorite hotel, we always think of the "Schloss Korb" in the mountains above Bolzano, Italy. What a beautiful place, beautiful view, and a wonderful restaurant. An incredibly good breakfast is served with an incredible view of the Bolzano valley.

bigtyke

hopingtotravel : I stayed at Ashcroft on the recommendation of a friend who had stayed there the previous year. My friend is the type who can strike up an conversation with someone and be great friends within 10 minutes! He thought the owners were great and so we just had to stay there on our trip.

Well it turned out the previous owners had retired. The new owners were a local family that had admired Ashcroft for years and were determined to keep up the fine standards. And they did.

Ashcroft has an award winning garden and very nice, resonably priced rooms. It is located near Housesteads - the best fort on Handrian's Wall. Breakfast was also very nice.

nonnafelice

Our favorite is L'Ombricolo:

http://lombricolo.com/

We love to stop here whenever we fly into Rome. It's only about 90 minutes from the airport, and is a perfect place to decompress and enjoy the lovely Italian countryside and incredible food after a long flight. Dawne, the owner, is a delightful Brit who worked in the Italian film industry and has many great stories to tell.

L'Ombricolo is also a good base for day trips to various towns in Umbria and southern Tuscany.

Craigellachie

Several years ago I stayed in a place called Upper Dory's Mill in a village called Painswick in the Cotswolds, England. I've tried to track it down several times and now I'm wondering if it still operates as a B&B. If you can trace it, go there - and give me their new contact details! They had a huge garden with a fish pond containing huge coy carp. They also had several cats (a minus for some but a plus for us). We asked if the cats ever bothered the fish. "Only once", they said, pointing to a cat that came hirpling along on its three remaining paws....
I've previously recommended Glenburnie House in Oban, Scotland, and still do. It's about a mile north of the main hustle and bustle (by west highland standards) so is close enough for a summer evening stroll to and from dinner in a hotel of your choosing.

hopingtotravel

bigtyke: thanks. I love gardens. You also answered one of my other questions. I had wondered where the best place to see remaining pieces of Hadrian's Wall would be.

emjoy

on the isle of mull, west coast of Scotland:
Glengorm castle,
http://www.glengormcastle.co.uk/
it might not be a traditional castle, but it was castle enough for us. We were married in the town in 2003. our room overlooked the sea and the beautiful land surrounding the castle. We watched storms roll in and out over the bay and saw the most gorgeous rainbows nearly every day. the food was excellent, the bed the most comfortable. And I wish I could live in that bathroom!
the owners left us alone and the working sheep dog Pip was our companion on walks around the grounds.
Ideal.

In Ireland we particularly loved the Dualla House near Cashel.We spent most of the evening at the pub down the street (with two more local dogs- not that we're simply dog people- just enjoy friendly locals and their pets), and returned to find the most beautiful stars in the sky- more stars than I ever get to see living in the city. Breathtaking. And the sound of the Father Ted theme tune was wafting across the breeze from the family's living room inside.
wish we could have stayed longer.

Tiff

THIS is a great thread!

Many thanks, Tiff

Sally

We recently stayed in Rye for four nights at Culpepper B and B. It was at a lovely house on the edge of Rye, about a 6 minute walk from the train station.Their garden was beautiful- every inch was planted with flowers. Our room looked on to the back garden which went several hundred feet up the hillside.Each morning we had a large delicious English breakfast.

grimmy

>Anyone have any favorites in Brittany or Dordogne regions of France?<

Residence Versailles in Beynac. Great views, breakfasts and hosts. One of our favorites.
www.residence-versailles.com

julies

Brittany--

Roche ar Brini near Morlaix. Lovely, large old house with large rooms. Found in Alistair Sawday's book.

LLC

Any new additions to this list? Any favorites in central or eastern Europe?

skz5

I'm looking for interesting places in the central and northern part of Germany. Anyone have any favorite places they would go back to?

GreenDragon

Not in Germany yet, but I can add to this great resource for Ireland and Scotland.

Ireland: Kilkenny, Alcantra B&B. The hostess is delightful, the breakfast delicious, including homemade jams. Great location and price.

Scotland: In 2000, we stayed in La Lunga, a 14th C. manor house turned B&B near Oban. Great place! The dining hall was incredible.

skz5

Still looking for favorite places in central Germany.

Ella

Bringing this back to the top for new favorites.