TO some people, staying in a four-star hotel is akin to camping. But along with monsoon showers and valet parking often comes anonymity, which is why many of us prefer the home comforts of a B&B. York is blessed with more guest houses than most and five of them are now hoping to be named the best.

This year, for the first time, the winner will be decided by public votes online or on Twitter. But we get the feeling monsoon showers and valet parking won’t rate too highly compared with a warm Yorkshire welcome.