We've eaten here, twice, but never stayed as guests so this review will major on food and related…read moreservices. On both occassions the food we had was excellent. Combe House Hotel is rated (in 2009) by both Sawday's guide, The Michelin Guide and now Qype! Two years ago we went for a birthday lunch. We all had fish which was exquisite; fresh or smoked, crustacean or battered, raw or steamed - the results were flawless and the combinations of flavours and textures superb. Presentation was also a real 'wow'. More recently (New Year's Eve lunch - 31/12/2009) we were there for lunch again. We noted that the hotel had changed hands since we were last there. Service was polished as ever. We were shown to the bar, coats taken and hung up and a fire lit to make us welcome and warm. I opted for a whisky (Talisker) to start whilst others opted for Abbot Ale, a local bitter (light amber in tone and toasty in flavour). Our food orders were taken after due consideration of the menu (there were 6 starters, 6 mains and 6 desserts to choose from). I chose the sirloin steak, medium rare (a test for any competent chef). Two chose a salmon ciabatta, whilst two others opted for the meat platter (venison and boar salami, parma ham and a venison pate), the final member of our party opted for the seafood platter sans crustacea. The order was graciously taken. The order for a seafood platter without shellfish was, after due consultation with the person ordering it, bumped up to include more smoked mackerel than it might ordinarily have had by way of compensation. A nice touch. We were left to bask before the fire for a while and mingle with other guests who were staying at the hotel (none of whom had a bad word to say I might add). The arrival of our food was presaged by our being shown to our table. We had a large dining room with a long table and a 'retreating' area for coffee amply provided for with three plump sofas. The food was ushered in with minimal fuss but maximum effect. I've bever seen lettuce shaped quite like that! The flavours were excellent - my steak was moist and juicy but soft, as it should be! The chips were chunky and freshly cooked hunks of real potato, not refried and ready made chips. Salad was plentiful, fresh and dressed with a light mustard dressing. The salad was a key part of the meal not just a garnish. The meat platters were equally praised, with many 'mmmms' and 'aaaaahs'. The salmon ciabatta too was highly praised for it's quality. The sefood platter initially drew no comment; total silence whilst being consumed. Upon completion the verdict pronounced was a well satisfied 'excellent'. The dessserts were lovely, banana parfait and creme brulee. Each done to a tee and served with a delicious home-made vanilla ice cream (if you can't make good ice cream from the plentiful Somerset dairy herds' milk you're in trouble). It's always said that the mark of a good establishment is knowing what it does well and focusing on that rather than having a menu of 40 dishes done poorly. Combe House Hotel served us very well and proved that adage true. Access to all the main areas is on one floor with ramped access to the bar. The hotel is a long, trailing amalgam of buildings of many ages from the 16th through to 20th centuries and clings to a descending, wooded valley (or Combe) in the Quantock hills. There is some excellent walking country about these parts, Combe House Hotel would make for an excellent starting or finishing point. The guests we spoke too lauded the rooms and service (though we didn't stay, hence the focus on food which we did eat). Other services like loos, lounges and gardens were faultless.

I have stayed here several times with my parents as a stop off between Cornwall and Chester. The…read morequality of food is very good-which is just as well, as there's not much else within walking distance. The beds are always really comfortable and rooms warm. Noise does vary from room to room. I have found the decor very pleasing too, even in the single bed rooms. However, on this occasion, as there was a wedding on and the hotel full, my room wasn't as great-the enamel/coating of the bath has come away and I was afraid if I ran a bath it would leak through to my parents room below! I would suggest that if it doesn't matter when you go, check to see how busy it is, as most rooms are lovely, but if this had been my first visit I wouldn't have been that happy.

If you want a B&B that's friendly and affordable as well as being in a great location, then this is…read morethe one for you! From £25 per person per night (2008 prices) this is a comfortable overnight base. Less than 5 minutes walk from Barry train station and 15 minutes walk to lovely sandy beaches at Barry Island, you can't beat this for location. The only downside is that there is no lounge at the B&B, so if you have to spend time indoors then there is nowhere to sit apart from your own room. The breakfast is good and the owner was able to rustle up a vegetarian option on request. Trains to Cardiff run every 15 minutes, so it's a good place to stay if you want to avoid the overpriced accommodation of the capital.

Westwood advertises itself as Ilfracombes only boutique B&B. A lovely Victorian house with great…read moretown views situated on a very steep driveway which is tough to walk and drive up although if you're struggling the owner kindly offers to get behind the wheel for you but there is free parking on the road. The rooms are stylishly furnished with big comfy beds, TV and DVD players, and tea and coffee making facilities. I stayed in one of the smaller rooms which had an ensuite shower room but you do have access to a large roll top bath in the separate bathroom. Breakfasts are really the highlight, the owner Helen is brilliant in laying on scrumptious food cooked to order. You can choose from full cooked, cereals, muffins, croissants, fruit etc and there's a great range of teas, jams and spreads. Even if you have special requirements nothing is too much trouble. And she has really good local knowledge of walking routes, places to see and places to eat. It's certainly not the average B&B, it's almost more like a small, cosy hotel and definitely the best place to stay in Ilfracombe.