Hotel Review: St Mary's Hall Hotel, Isles of Scilly

Located at the top of Church Street, St Mary's Hall is brilliantly positioned, just a two-minute walk from the centre of Hugh Town, four minutes to the stunning white sands of Porthcressa Beach and five minutes from the bustling harbour, where you can take the inter-island boats to explore the archipelago. We took a tiny plane to St Mary's from Land's End which gave us amazing aerial views of the islands.

By plane: Skybus flies to St Mary's from Newquay (30 minutes), Exeter (1 hour) or Lands End (15 minutes). The hotel is a 5-minute drive from the airport. Free parking available. Book flights to St Mary's.

By boat: the Scillionian III Passenger Ferry departs from Penzance (2 hours 45 minutes). The hotel is a 5-minute drive (10 minutes' walk) from the terminal.

Based around a beautifully restored townhouse, St Mary's Hall was originally built by Count Leon de Ferrari in 1938 for his Scillonian bride. Drenched in contemporary elegance, and boasting many heritage features, the property is surrounded by stunning Mediterranean gardens with a striking oak-panelled entrance hall and staircase that have been thoughtfully restored.

Sink into homely comfort in the large light-filled lounge and bar area with its log burner and well-stocked bar showcasing specialist and local beers, ales and gins as well as an extensive wine list. The seating extends out to a decked area to enjoy the gorgeous Mediterranean gardens during warmer months and inside you'll find plenty of board games and a piano. Service is attentive and friendly with an emphasis on the finer details.

• Bar
• Restaurant
• Terrace
• Garden
• Family-friendly
• Pet-friendly
• Free parking
• Free Wi-Fi

Choose from a standard double to a four-poster with a balcony or a spacious suite. Filled with light and designed with a neutral palette and a clean aesthetic - think high ceilings and large windows overlooking the gardens in the original part of the hotel, with modern comfort in refurbed rooms and a large living area and galley kitchen in the suites.

Room types: Godolphin, Countess, Count Leon, Suite

Key amenities: ensuite bathroom with Molton Brown toiletries, hairdryer, tea and coffee facilities, TV, free Wi-Fi

The Grill Room is a contemporary space with a window view into the kitchen to watch the chefs in action; tuck into local and sustainable island produce that celebrates a field-to-table ethos - from 28-day dry-aged steaks and local lamb to fresh lobster and crab, caught straight from waters. The hotel also serves light bites and drinks throughout the day in The Hall restaurant and for formal dining with crisp linen tablecloths and fresh cut flowers, guests can enjoy 'Everes's Room'.

The Hall: relaxed dining and bar, grill restaurant. Local produce, specialising in steaks. Open daily for dinner and drinks, Mon-Sat for afternoon tea.