The Pig - in the wall, Southampton, Hampshire

With its central position embedded inside the Medieval city walls, access to the shops, high street and Westquay shopping centre is just a five-minute walk away. The independent shops and boutiques of Oxford Street are a ten-minute walk. It's not the prettiest location however, as there is a large roundabout just down the road.

The cruise ship terminals are just a couple of minutes by taxi.

By car: The hotel is 2 hours from London and Bristol, 2 hours 30 mins from Birmingham and 3 hours from Cambridge. There is paid private parking on-site.

By train: London to Southampton Central takes 1 hour 20 mins. The hotel is a 15-minute walk or 5-minute taxi ride from the station. Book trains to Southampton.

Finished in The Pig's signature style - with capacious brown leather armchairs to sink into, terracotta pots of herbs on wooden tables and a distressed dresser heaving with homemade cakes and pastries - the characterful interiors and quirky design touches are sure to lift the spirits.

If you're feeling peckish at night, a porter is on hand to serve drinks and snacks when the café is closed. The young team are passionate about the local area, food and the rooms. They'll inform you about the microbrewery round the corner (Dancing Man) and that nearby St Michael's church is the only one standing from the war.

• Deli bar
• Lounge
• 24-hour front desk
• Parking

• Free Wi-Fi

Tiled fireplaces, antique furniture and framed botanical prints are combined with the historic features of the building, such as an oak-beamed ceiling, shutters or sash windows. The Pig's trademark colourful floor tiles adorn bathrooms, some of which offer large walk-in showers, whilst others offer in-room baths.

Room types: Snug, Comfy, Spacious

Key amenities: ensuite bathroom with shower, free toiletries, towels, bathrobes, radio, TV, mini-bar, tea and coffee facilities

We love the "piggy snacks", which include crisp pork scratchings with apple sauce, whilst breakfast is a continental spread with a "Piggy pan" cooked breakfast. The deli/café serves up a variety of uncomplicated, hearty fare, such as intriguing salads, home-baked sausage rolls and quiches, boards of cold meats and cheese and some hot food such as sausage and mash, plaice and new potatoes and chilli con carne with cornbread.

Deli Bar: relaxed dining, deli counter, snack boards, cheeses, wines, cocktails. Open 9am-8pm for breakfast, lunch and early supper. Larger plates from £14.