The leafy market town of Haslemere, which has a reputation as a traditional, charming yet stylish hotspot. Coppas tend to be found in well-to-do neighbourhoods, from Streatley in Berkshire to Clifton in Bristol, each with its own identity and offering. 

The Georgian has 13 simple and elegant hotel rooms, as well as a restaurant and bar. Unusually, it’s a clubhouse with no membership fees, where locals and visitors alike can work remotely with their laptop and a coffee, or cosy up in an armchair with a book and a glass of wine.

The Grade II-listed property is newly renovated but brims with old-school character. It’s a visual treat, with each of the public rooms given a distinctive design. Just off the entrance hall is ‘the hide’, a small wood-panelled room, then there’s the cosy lounge, the quiet ‘snug’ and, my favourite, the candy-floss pink games room, which is bathed in natural light and has a pastel pink and white tiled floor.

My bedroom is everything a lovely hotel room should be: pristine, comfortable and spacious. Calming muted green walls reflect the leafy surroundings, and I enjoy little luxuries such as Mr Ames tea and divine-smelling toiletries by Natural Spa Factory.

Food at The Georgian is fuss-free and crowd-pleasing, focusing on British, European and Mediterranean flavours. There are plenty of nibbles, from moreish Parmesan croquettes to crispy buttermilk fried chicken bites, plus pizzas and pastas. Main meals range from burgers and steak to halibut fillet, and there is an extensive gluten-free menu.

The cocktails are particularly good (think pink peppercorn palomas and tiramisu martinis) and for those looking to chill out, there are alcohol-free options infused with Trip CBD.

The spacious and welcoming main restaurant opens out onto a terrace and lawn. You can sit outside year-round thanks to Coppa’s signature pods – their iconic Tower Bridge restaurant set the trend for the igloo-like domes well before Covid forced all-weather outdoor dining upon us.

Activities to keep staycationers busy include gin tasting with local maker Silent Pool, named after the eerie blue pond at their distillery. We learn about their artisan methods and try four different flavours (I love the Rose Expression). We then giggle through a sip-and-sketch class with local artist Jo Mitchell Long, painting a colourful summer meadow.

Further afield, there is plenty to visit in the area, including local vineyard Blackdown Ridge Estate and the ominous-sounding but lovely National Trust site Devil’s Punch Bowl. 

The restaurant and bar is casual, so whatever you feel comfortable in. If you're planning to explore the Surrey Hills, bring a waterproof jacket and some good walking shoes.

The fun and cosy outdoor dining pods.