At the Chapel Hotel

High Street, Bruton, Somerset

It’s hard not to like At the Chapel. First of all, there’s the charm of the building – the old shell of a Somerset town church, complete with stained-glass windows and terraced choir rows, has been transformed into a modern, secular space. A contemporary scuplture hangs as a clever centrepiece on the far wall; former choir lofts are used as an arts space, entered by a cascading staircase; rows of pews have been replaced with candlestick-topped wooden tables and animal hair-covered chairs, filled at all hours with locals and out-of-town visitors. But that’s not all – there’s the eight pretty bedrooms (complete with Ren tolietries), each unique but styled with similar cow skin rugs, cushy throws, quirky green chairs, deep tubs and enormous TVs. The rooms all beam with character – one even retains original stained-glass windows – and all come with the world’s largest (and one of the fluffiest) croissants and freshly pressed orange juice, delivered direct to your door in the morning. Downstairs the food is not to be missed either – the chicken liver pâté is a very fine example, pizzas are heaped with Taleggio, mushrooms and peppery rocket, and juicy burgers drip with local Somerset cheddar. It’s good, honest, modern British stuff. Plus, at any time of day you can swing by the in-house bakery or pick up a bottle from the property’s very own wine boutique. What’s not to like? AM. Doubles from £100.