St Mary's Hall Hotel, St Mary's, Isles of Scilly

The added adventure - travelling to the islands in a tiny plane from Land's End - offers an exhilarating 20-minute experience with spectacular aerial views of the archipelago.

The hotel is only a 5-minute walk from Porthcressa beach, while Hugh Street a little further away is a bustling shopping district.
By plane: Skybus flies to St Mary's from Newquay (30 minutes), Exeter (1 hour) or Lands End (15 minutes). The hotel is a 5-minute drive from the airport. Free parking available.
By boat: the Scillionian III Passenger Ferry departs from Penzance (2 hours 45 minutes). The hotel is a 5-minute drive (10 minutes' walk) from the terminal.

The hotel is suited to couples and dog owners, as well as families looking for a prime location to explore the Islands from - think lots of space and a few added luxuries. The gorgeous decked area in the Mediterranean-inspired garden is a great spot to soak up the milder climate with a sundowner.

Relaxing with a local ale next to the log burner offers the perfect way to end a day of exploring the islands. Guests can stay with their four-legged friends in one of the five versatile suites with direct access to the gardens via a decked area, perfect for taking your pal out for a blast of fresh air.

• Restaurant
• Bar
• Terrace
• Garden
• Family-friendly
• Pet-friendly
• Free parking
• Free Wi-Fi

The ground-floor suites offer space to sprawl out, with the luxury of coming and going freely, whilst there's an air of opulence to the Count Leon rooms with their elegant furnishings and balcony views. Stepping out of the suite and into the gardens for a blast of salt-fresh island air offers a great way to start the day.

Godolphin, Countess, Count Leon, Suite
Facilities include: ensuite bathroom with toiletries, hairdryer, tea and coffee facilities, TV, free Wi-Fi

It was great to watch the chefs prepare fresh island produce through the 'window view', adding an exciting and interactive element to the evening. You can't beat the locally caught lobster from island fisherman, Neil Jenkins, and for meat-lovers, the Gloucester rib-eye steak with hickory smoked-plum tomato and crispy onions - cooked to perfection on the American-style broiler.

The Hall: relaxed dining and bar, grill restaurant. Local produce, specialising in steaks. Open daily for dinner and drinks, Mon-Sat for afternoon tea.