The Lonsdale.
25 Cocker Street, Blackpool.
In a place with a thousand B&Bs, what makes The Lonsdale stand out? In two words: the furnishings and the people. The interior of The Lonsdale is a monument to Edwardian style and the hosts are true gentlemen.
This oh-so-special bed and breakfast sits less than 200 yards from the beach, about a quarter of a mile from the pier and Blackpool Tower. There's a small flower-filled terrace at the front and every room has a balcony. Behind the front door there is a lounge filled with ornate furniture and fittings and even a piano. Not just any old piano, but a Bechstein grand piano. Breakfast is served daily with full English and vegetarian options, where the gracious style is continued.
There's more early 20th century style in the bedrooms too, but flatscreen televisions and coffee machines too so modern comforts are not forgotten.
It's easy to be a bit snobby about Blackpool ("Guilty, your Honour!") but it's a place that everyone should visit once, and many people return to time after time. The child in all of us will love the Pleasure Beach, the Tower will test our head for heights, and the ballroom is magnificent. Miles of golden sands, piers, trams and the illuminations make Blackpool a destination for everyone.