An Inspector Calls At... The George Hotel in Cranbrook, Kent

By The Inspector Updated:

Rating: 4 Star Rating

Residents of Cranbrook would argue that this is the prettiest village in Kent.

And bang in the middle of town stands the 14th-century George Hotel.

It's owned by the county's largest and Britain's oldest brewer, Shepherd Neame. It has a genuine old-world atmosphere with uneven floors and uneven stairs - in fact, they are so uneven that climbing the staircase can be alarming when sober, never mind after a couple of doubles.

The George Hotel

Gorgeous George: The hotel is centrally located in pretty Cranbrook

The inn has been revamped and now has 12 bedrooms. A large teddy bear occupies the bed in our room and he's for sale. Sorry, but teddy bears for sale on the bed send me into a mini-rage, though I'm not sure why.

The Do Not Disturb sign is also in the shape of a teddy, one side saying 'I am snoozing', the other 'I have gone on a picnic'.

Then I can't get the snazzy flat-screen TV to work. A call to reception does the trick, when I'm advised to switch it on at the mains. Silly me.

There's plenty of still and fizzy water, a good assortment of biscuits and the kettle looks primed for action.

Even better, the bathroom provides pretty much everything you need, including toothpaste and a proper shaving kit. The towels are super-fluffy.

But it's the downstairs bit that really excels: comfortable armchairs; tables littered with newspapers and information on places to visit in and around Cranbrook; members of a local cricket team rehydrating (just hope they hold their catches as well as they sink their pints); couples canoodling; families discussing the prospects of a double dip.

And a superb dinner in the Bistro Restaurant, with lots of homegrown produce and a sensibly priced wine list: the house red and white comes in at £14 a bottle. Staff are young and friendly.

Next morning, the manager, who says he's struggling after a game of rugby the previous day, helps me reverse out of the car park.

He hobbles back inside before I can ask why porridge isn't on the breakfast menu.

But what I really want to tell him is that The George represents real value for money - as long as you can resist those teddy bears.

Rating: 4 Star Rating

The George Stone Street, Cranbrook, TN17 3HE 01580 713348, www.thegeorgehotelkent.co.uk. Doubles from £90 B&B


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