With breathtaking views and a magnificent location in Rutland, the three-star Best Western Normanton Park Hotel offers an intriguing mix of Oriental splendour and traditional English charm. Just 200 yards from the stunning Normanton church and standing on the south shore of Leicestershire’s stunning Rutland Water, the 30-bedroom hotel boasts a range of facilities that include the Waterside Restaurant and the Sailing Bar with a courtyard where one can relax, enjoy a fabulous meal and gaze out across the tranquil lake. Perfect for weddings, romantic dates, meetings and events, the hotel avoids being pretentious by offering good value for money and friendly, attentive service. The decor is relaxing and understated, yet has an aristocratic feel throughout. Look out for the dragons as you enter, and many other curiosities on display as you explore this fascinating converted building.

Guests can choose from a very reasonably priced à la carte menu or from the imaginative Oriental selection – quite an unexpected yet pleasant surprise from what appears to be a traditionally British establishment. Starters range from £4.95 to £6.25 and I loved my trio of melon with raspberry sorbet, which was refreshingly tangy and well presented. My partner enjoyed his Oriental selection of appetisers, which included prawn toast, prawn wraps, ribs and spring rolls and a spicy plum sauce. I chose the pan-fried chicken breast, which was wrapped in bacon and stuffed with herbs and cream cheese. The chunky roast vegetables and tomato coulis were the perfect partners to the succulent meat and added an appetising splash of colour. My guest plumped for the shredded chilli beef with egg-fried rice – an amazing-looking dish that tasted just as impressive. We just had to indulge in the gorgeous sweet crispy meringue topped with a light raspberry cream and whole raspberries, and a creamy toffee fudge cheesecake served with a sticky toffee sauce. With so much to offer and being so close to business centres and local attractions, including the Great Hall of Oakham Castle, Rockingham Racetrack and Burghley House, Normanton Park Hotel is the ideal getaway – be it business or pleasure.