KB ENG,WAL&SCOT'98:HTLS (Karen Brown's England, Wales & Scotland Charming Hotels & Itineraries)

Charm is Karen Brown's forte, and she finds it in abundance as she tours the moors, lakes, and Cotswolds of the British Isles. Following a section on trip-planning practicalities, there are nine regional driving itineraries that help take the guesswork out of touring. Each includes a map, must-see sites, suggested time allocation, and approximate mileage. Following the itineraries are Brown's reviews of hundreds of hotels and inns chosen for their singular enchantments.

Here are her impressions of a manor in Horley: "Lanshott Manor is a beautiful Elizabethan house with three acres of gorgeous gardens and ponds which, with just seven bedrooms in the main house, retains the intimate feeling of a home. Crisp Egyptian cotton sheets are the order of the day in the bedrooms. I especially enjoyed Christopher, a most spacious room whose windows frame the rose garden, and the Nursery with its private staircase leading under the eaves to an attractive bedroom with a large, whimsical bathroom." Each listing features popular attractions in the area, driving directions, a reference to a map within the book, contact information (including Web sites), and rates. The author prides herself on personally visiting each of the hotels listed.