The Talbot Inn beats the big boys to be named ultimate British hotel
The Talbot InnThe Sunday Times list of Ultimate 100 British Hotels, beating the likes of such renowned and established properties as Claridge's, Le Manoir aux Quat'Saisons and Chewton Glen.
In announcing the accolade, Stephen Bleach The Sunday Times' travel editor, recognised that the decision may have been surprising. However, he said that the Talbot Inn, a 15th-century coaching inn in the village of Mells, near Bath, had been selected as the overall winner because it is "the closest thing to a perfect pub"; serves good, local food; offers faultless service; and provides unfussy, but stylish bedrooms.
He also highlighted the pricing policy of the Talbot, which runs from £95 for the smallest room up to £190 for a family suite and stays the same for every night, all year - as "a plain-dealing, fair-value approach of which we thoroughly approve".
Dan Brod, one of the co-owners of The Talbot with Charlie Luxton and Matt Greenlees, said that while he recognises that such lists are very subjective, it was "a lovely thing" to happen, particularly for the hard-working staff.
"It was a really bold choice by The Sunday Times, but I think it is a recognition of what people want from a hotel today - attention to detail and great service at an affordable price," he explained.
"We have deliberately kept our prices low and chosen to make a smaller profit for the benefit of the customer, which I think is the opposite of what a lot of large hotels do."
The Talbot Inn opened only six months ago, joining sister property, the Beckford Arms in Tisbury, Wiltshire.
The winners of the seven categories in The Sunday Times' Ultimate 100 British Hotels list were:
Hotel-pub: The Talbot Inn, Mells, Somerset
London: Soho Hotel, London
Country: Lime Wood, Lyndhurst, Hampshire
Foodie: Le Manoir au Quat'Saisons, Great Milton, Oxfordshire
Romantic: The Witchery, Edinburgh
Family: Bedruthen Steps, Mawgan Porth, Cornwall
Seaside: Watergate Bay Hotel, Watergate, Cornwall
Spa: The Scarlet, Mawgan Porth, Cornwall
Beckford Arms team to open Somerset pub after £350,000 refurb >>
