Dorian House

This beautifully proportioned Victorian stone house is an intimate, calming stay just slightly off the beaten path in fascinating Bath. Hoteliers Tim and Kathryn Hugh have transformed this period home into a restful hideaway, inspired both by the elegant brilliance of their surroundings and by their shared musical background (Tim is principal cellist with the London Symphony Orchestra, and guests can sample his recordings in the breakfast music library). Eight roomy bedrooms, several with four-poster beds, offer a splendid vantage point for exploring the town's Roman history, with views extending out over the Royal Crescent or the house's own well-manicured gardens. Choose any of the rooms - given names inspired by musicians and composers like Jacqueline du Pre, George Gershwin and Edward Elgar - and enjoy the simple, blissful luxuries of crisp cotton sheets, personable decor and a particularly tasty breakfast. When you're ready to venture outdoors after a relaxing morning in, there is, of course, no shortage of area attractions; Bath offers something for any interest imaginable, and Dorian House's proximity to Stonehenge, the Cotswolds and other prominent areas of interest make it a prime location for which to base either a short break or a full tour of the region.