I've stayed in hundreds of hotels across the UK as an undercover expert for The Mail – these are my favourites… and the ones to avoid!

Hotels – and B&Bs for that matter – have become outrageously expensive after the pandemic. Some of the more expensive hotels in London charge more than £1,000 per night; elsewhere £400 is becoming normal. And that's before you've even gone to the bar for a pencil sharpener.

But there's still something special about a night away from home, with no cooking to do, no dishes to do, and a breakfast spread to keep you going all day.

This selection includes places with just a few rooms, and some larger options that require a deep wallet.

The forest of Narberth

Molleston, Pembrokeshire

This fantastic family hotel is nestled behind a pond, surrounded by ancient forests and sky-blue hydrangeas. There is no ugly signage; no framed AA Rosette awards; no leaflets. Just a beautiful, slightly quirky house, parts of which can be traced back to the 14th century. The restaurant has a Michelin star.

Doubles from £201 grovenarberth.co.uk

The Lamsherberg

Shipton-under-Wychwood, Oxfordshire

Arriving here amid the chatter of happy diners spread across various nooks and crannies, with tiled floors, a creaking bar and five understated rooms, is a life enhancer. Good price too. Two thirtysomethings, Peter and Tom, are in charge and offer an excellent menu (don't miss the anchovy toast). Antique furnishings and luxurious linens await you when it's time to say goodnight.

Doubles from £99, thelambshipton.com

Lindeboom Hotel

Ebury Street, London

This exceptional B&B in a double-fronted Belgravia house is one of London's best-kept secrets. There are 27 rooms, all renovated in the last three years.

It has the feel of a private country house, with soft sofas, light cushions and a pretty walled garden. The only thing missing is a golden retriever scattered in the hall. Breakfast is served in the Buttery next door, where guests receive a 10 percent discount.

Doubles from £220, limetreehotel.co.uk

The Nici

Bournemouth

Miami Beach comes to Bournemouth in the form of this chic hotel that has just spent £25 million on it. Your mood will soar as you enter the sunny Art Deco-style lobby, with palm-themed art and fun touches like a Playboy pinball machine and foosball table.

Choose a sea view room and don't miss the spa in the basement. The outdoor pool, flanked by cabanas, high-end lounge chairs and sunken fire pits, is as chic as anything Miami has to offer.

Doubles from £155, thenici.com

Callow Hall

Ashbourne, Derbyshire

After opening two years ago, Callow Hall, on the edge of the Peak District, has received all kinds of rave reviews. Justifiably. Completely trendy, with fabrics from Penny Morrison, wallpaper from Robert Kime and lampshades from Fermoie. The house dates back to the 1850s and the cedar tree at the front door is 800 years old. The bar and restaurant are located in a beautiful glass box at the back of the building.

Doubles from £224, wildhive.uk

Grand Hotel

Birmingham

No one is claiming that this 185-room establishment is bijou – with an entire floor dedicated to conferences, a ballroom, a huge chic bar and a New York-style restaurant in the basement. About £45 million has been spent on reviving it – and it's working. Look out for the spiral staircase with Corinthian columns. Grand, indeed.

Doubles from £199, thegrandhotelbirmingham.co.uk

The Olive Branch

Clipsham, Rutland

Ben Jones, who worked at both Hambleton Hall and Gravetye Manor, bought this closed pub in 1999 and subsequently acquired the pretty cottage opposite, which now has six bedrooms. The atmosphere is inviting (Ben's father used to be in the antiques business), the food is downright delicious. A perfect stay.

Doubles from £175, theolive branchpub.com

The pig in the wall

Southampton

The Pig is a big brand. This is the smallest and cheapest, with just 12 rooms in a beautiful turreted building within Southampton's medieval walls. The space downstairs is furnished with old wooden tables and comfortable upholstered armchairs. There is no restaurant as such, but there is plenty to eat at the deli and a few daily specials.

Doubles from £159, thepighotel.com

The retreat at Elcot Park

Newbury, Berkshire

Young Hector Ross' Signet Collection has taken over this former Mercure hotel, which once belonged to poet Percy Shelley's mother, and transformed it. On site you will find a spa, swimming pool, bakery, wine shop, delicatessen and hairdresser. There are two restaurants, including a pan-Asian restaurant. Don't miss the 'crispy cauliflower popcorn' with teriyaki and soy.

Doubles from £216. retreatelcotpark.com

The bell

Charlbury, Oxfordshire

It's easy to mock Lord and Lady Bamford's growing Daylesford empire, but this latest revamped twelve-room pub won't disappoint. Every nook and cranny works. There are at least three crackling fireplaces; the wood paneling and artwork (including a wall of pressed flowers and herbs) have a sense of belonging; the staff are all friendly. the food is fantastic.

Doubles from £176, thebellatcharlbury.com

Locanda on the weir

Portlock Weir, Somerset

There are only four rooms, three of which have a sea view. The building is located away from the main road, which attracts visitors all summer long. It was bought six years ago by a former Italian city merchant and his designer partner. Dinner is the most important: fresh, creative and beautifully presented.

Doubles from £225, locandaontheweir.co.uk

Schloss Roxburghe

Kelso, Scotland

From the outside it looks like Balmoral, albeit with a huge, newly built spa at the back of the building. It used to be owned by the Duke of Roxburghe before being sold to a German company.

Fantastic rooms with high ceilings, antique furniture and two restaurants. Locals say around £50 million has been poured into this resort hotel in the Scottish Borders. It shows.

Doubles from £194, schlosshotel-roxburghe.com

The bottle and the glass

Henley-on-Thames

This is a small thatched pub in the Chiltern Hills, which has been extended into a large dining area and three rooms in an adjacent building. You come here for the atmosphere and the food. Value for money too.

Doubles from £120, bottleandglassinn.com

Middleton Lodge

Richmond, Yorkshire

A Georgian house designed by John Carr is the centrepiece, but there are 41 rooms spread across the converted stables, dairy, orchard and wall garden. You're just minutes from the A1(M) near Scotch Corner, but it feels like Provence.

The staff is cheerful; the food is all locally sourced; the wines carefully chosen and reasonably priced. Some rooms have their own wood-burning stoves. Take a stroll through the gardens before you leave.

Doubles from £245 b&b, middletonlodge.co.uk

Boys room

Ashford, Kent

Not the healthiest area, but once you're in this fantastic Jacobean house (built by Thomas and Margaret Boys in 1616) all is well.

The rooms are large and tasteful, some with freestanding baths. The restaurant is a barn-like conversion at the back with a large fireplace.

No TVs except one in the pub, hidden in the main room.

There are currently seven rooms, but more are planned, some in lodges in the garden.

Doubles from £180, boys-hall.com

Trewornan country house

Wadebridge, Cornwall

This Grade II listed country house near the spectacular North Cornwall coast was in a poor state when the owners bought it in 2014.

Today it's a great B&B, with a generous spirit (complementary cakes at tea time), an honesty bar and 25 acres of grounds.

All rooms are named after beaches in the area.

Not cheap but always cheerful.

Doubles from £180, trewornanmanor.co.uk