The Ginger Pig, Brighton, East Sussex

It's fun to walk down Hove's Church Road to discover its shops and cafés. Palmeira Square is to be admired for its elegant 19th-century houses and sea views.

The centre of Brighton is just a few minutes by car or bus - and buses are frequent.

By car: over 2 hours from London and Oxford, and 3 hours from Bristol. Paid parking available nearby.

By train: London Victoria and London Bridge to Brighton takes around 1 hour, after which, a taxi takes 15 minutes. Book trains to Brighton.

While a pub with rooms, this is very stylish - the slate colour palette combines with bright colour accents. Design touches include quirky antique examples and original contemporary artworks. The revolving Art Deco doors are a lovely feature.

Young staff are friendly and enthusiastic. Being a restaurant with rooms, there aren't any other facilities. While there's no on-site parking, you can park nearby in Princes Avenue.

• Restaurant
• Bar
• Pet-friendly
• Free Wi-Fi

Pets are allowed in two bedrooms (a £35 charge per night), which includes a bowl and bed. Dogs are permitted in the bar but not the restaurant.

There are 11 bedrooms: six on the first floor and five smaller attic rooms above. Like the rest of the property, there are slate grey walls and wood floors. Facilities include a minibar with pre-mixed cocktails, Nespresso machine, kettle and a large TV. Ensuites are spacious, with powerful showers.

Room types: Small double, Large double, Luxury double

Key amenities: ensuite bathroom with Cowshed bathroom products, coffee machine, premixed 'Ginger' cocktails, radio, TV, free Wi-Fi

The Restaurant & Bar are contemporary and the impressive food lives up to its surroundings. Modern European dishes are made from local, seasonal produce - and the wine list is good, too. We loved the pork chop with rosti potato and black pudding. There's an orangerie next door, where breakfast is served.

Restaurant & Bar: locally-sourced produce, seasonal menus. Open daily for breakfast, lunch and dinner