Best Western Premier Mount Pleasant Hotel, Great North Road (A638), Doncaster, South Yorkshire DN11 0HW. Tel: 01302 868696; email: reception@mountpleasant.co.uk website: www.mountpleasant.co.uk

This former farmhouse has been converted into a splendidly comfortable four-star, 56-room hotel in an upmarket, rural location a few miles from the centre of Doncaster. It offers an ideal base for a relaxing weekend or a day at the races.

How do you get there? It's a fair trek from Bristol – a little over 180 miles, which normally would take a bit more than three hours. Friday night traffic and roadworks extended our journey to four hours. Take the M32, M4, M5, M42, A42, M1, M18 (off at Junction 32) then head for Doncaster. The hotel is located south of the town towards Bawtry on the Great North Road (A638), a mile from Robin Hood (Doncaster-Sheffield) Airport. There is a large, free car park.

First impressions: Friday night motorway madness slowed our progress, and a call from the car while stationary on the M1 made it clear we were unlikely to arrive before the restaurant last-orders deadline at 9.30pm. We arrived at nearer 10pm, but our friendly receptionist said she would see what she could do about a meal. We were in luck – "please come through to the restaurant, here's a menu, what would you like to drink?" Let the weekend begin.

What are the rooms like? The hotel is upmarket country manor – very "huntin', shootin', fishin'", with paintings of dogs, outdoor pursuits and feasting all over the place. Our junior suite was a triumph – a beautifully ornate four-poster bed (with cast-iron columns and a memory-foam mattress) dominated a large room. There was a magnificent glass-topped desk in one corner and (a little oddly) a huge movie-set spotlight on a tripod in another. There was ample storage space, a safe, tea and coffee, a trouser press, minibar, satellite TV and a wonderful wooden- floored bathroom which had an enormous bath with buttons for different coloured lights, a huge shower and washbasin. Tiny neon-like lights stayed on all night – a great help in a strange room for any middle-of-the-night visits. The hotel also has eight luxury two- and three-bedroom self-catering cottages.

What else can you do? Take a walk in the hotel's 100-acre woodland garden or visit the Therapie Health & Wellness Centre for a range of treatments. The hotel is licensed for civil weddings and can cater for up to 300 people for wedding receptions, formal banquets and dinner dances. Meetings and conference facilities cater for between two and 200 people.

What's on the menu? The food is first class and service discreet, friendly and efficient. Dinner in the award-winning Garden Restaurant was a delight. A party of 20 or so wedding guests were just finishing their meals as we arrived and various couples were dotted around. An interesting menu included starters of pan-fried wood pigeon, seared Atlantic scallops, flat tart of aubergine and vine tomato. Mains included Yorkshire venison cutlet, monkfish tail, noisettes of Seven Hills lamb and a grill menu – fillet, sirloin and ribeye steaks, chicken breast and salmon fillet. I started with smoked goose breast served with apple-slaw, pear jelly and fresh figs (£7.95), then I had roast seabass with sweetcorn puree, chestnut mushroom carpaccio and mushroom mousseline (£17.95). I declined the wine list (extensive and a bit expensive), ordering drinks from the bar. A generous selection of Yorkshire cheeses and biscuits rounded the meal off perfectly. Other desserts, including fig crumble tart, bitter chocolate brownie, buttermilk panna cotta and ginger and tea trifle, cost £6.50 each. On Saturday night we chose bar meals. My steak sandwich and potato wedges was simple, tasty and just what I wanted, and home- made Cumberland sausage and mash was judged a hit. We missed breakfast on Saturday morning – service finished at 10am, unusually early for a weekend. We didn't miss Sunday breakfast as we forgot about turning the clocks back, and arrived well before 9am. The big wedding party meant breakfast was – unusually – served buffet-style. And very good it was too, both cooked and cold. All the favourites were present – lots of cereals, pastries and all the fried elements were piled high. But the fruit dishes were, unfortunately, empty.

What else is there to see and do in the area? The hotel is close to Doncaster Racecourse, home to the famous St Leger which takes place in September. First run in 1776, the St Leger is the oldest of the five British Classic Races. Ask about the hotel's Learn To Fly taster breaks – Doncaster International Airport is just down the road. Or visit one of the many local attractions including the South Yorkshire Aircraft Museum (www.aeroventure.org.uk), The Dome for sport and leisure (www.the-dome. co.uk) and Conisbrough Castle (www.conisbroughcastle.org.uk).

Any gripes? The hotel is popular with wedding parties, and inevitably some guests can be a bit noisy. The room to our left was occupied by what sounded like half a dozen chattering women, and the other side of us was a deaf, insomniac football fan. The latter had the TV volume up so loud we could hear every word of the booming commentary. Sound-proofing would be welcome.

How much does it cost? Standard double rooms – £115 per night; executive double – £140; junior suite – £165. All include breakfast. Special offers include the Pamper Package, the Jetaway Package, the Premiere Club Package and the Picnic Package. The cottages cost between £425 and £525 per week.

The verdict: A very comfortable base from which to explore South Yorkshire or enjoy a special day at the races, and the food was excellent.

STEPHEN WHITE