Hotel Best Western Cape Cod (Barnstable, USA)

Rooms are always the prime essential and here, they are clean and not cramped. Beds are comfy. Clearly defined pet friendly rooms have direct outside access, so you can exercise and 'empty' the dog or cat without affecting other guests.

Shiver me timbers' ... there's an early morning fast service ferry to Nantucket. The hotel serves breakfast early too, so you've got plenty of time to enjoy that before you 'set sail'. Land lubbers, though, might prefer to wander round the shops and Shopping Plaza in this quieter, northern end of town.

Although it's very quiet here and the perfect setting for a restful break, it's worth noting that Hyannis itself, Sandwich, Yarmouth Port and Dennis, are all just a few minutes away. Check out, too, the Friday Farmers' Market Meets Happy Hour 'and some impressive tastings of Cape Cod Beer!!

There's a constant problem with the lack of hot water, so prepare to have a shower which peaks at lukewarm. Room bathroom fittings are coming away from their base. On more occasions than might be expected, the hotel's access card should be re-designated 'Access Denied' to reflect system failures and inconvenience to paying guests. There is no elevator.

Some rooms can be very cramped indeed, with little storage or hanging space. Cleaning procedures seem to have been ditched when it comes to the bathrooms.

The hotel feeds very well off conferences in the area, but crams delegates into small rooms as if they were sardines in a tin!