Business Details
40 Years
experience
Your Guide to Charming Small Hotels & Unique Stays
Established in 1986, we pioneered independent hotel guides focusing on charm and character. Our editorial team, led by Fiona Duncan, rigorously evaluates small, family-run establishments globally. Unlike pay-to-play guides, we maintain strict editorial independence, offering candid assessments with colour photography and detailed descriptions. Our methodology prioritises personal service, unique locations, and authenticity. With over 40 years' experience, we've expanded from printed guides to digital platforms while retaining our core values.Our inspectors combine professional expertise with discerning travel insights, ensuring every listed property meets exacting standards. Customer testimonials highlight our guides' reliability for discovering exceptional stays. We directly sell discounted editions to UK customers, maintaining quality control from curation to delivery.
Services
Hotel Guides
City Walk Guides
Online Directories
Printed Publications
Travel Recommendations
Details
- Year established: 1986
Highlights and features
- We maintain complete editorial independence - no paid listings
- Our inspectors personally evaluate every featured property
- Specialise in small, family-run establishments with character
- Provide candid, balanced reviews with colour photography
- Offer direct booking assistance with accommodation owners
What people say
Excellent guides
Never disappointed
Superb guides
Simple and effective
Quality shines through
Services
Hotel Guides
Our meticulously curated hotel guides highlight characterful small establishments worldwide. Each entry combines colour photography with detailed, balanced reviews. We focus on family-run properties offering authentic experiences rather than generic hospitality chains. Our independent evaluations help discerning travelers discover unique stays.
City Walk Guides
On Foot City Guides provide 12 curated walking routes through major cities. Aerial-view maps show street layouts and surroundings. Each walk offers local insights, dining recommendations, and crowd-avoidance strategies. Designed like a knowledgeable friend's personal tour, these guides enhance urban exploration.
Printed Publications
We produce compact, full-colour printed guides since 1986. Books feature detailed property descriptions, location maps, and practical contact information. Available at discounted prices directly from our London office, each guide combines portability with comprehensive travel intelligence for global destinations.
Online Directories
Our website features hand-picked accommodations from printed guides with additional digital content. Users access current recommendations, direct owner contact options, and supplementary travel resources. The platform complements printed editions with real-time updates and expanded coverage.
Travel Recommendations
We specialise in connecting travelers with unique stays through expert curation. Our recommendations focus on characterful properties with personal service. From Italian hilltop retreats to French countryside inns, each suggestion reflects rigorous evaluation criteria and decades of editorial expertise.
People
Fiona Duncan
Chief Editor
Award-winning travel writer and former Telegraph hotel critic with 20+ years' editorial leadership. Oversees guide content quality and inspector team. Recognised industry expert on boutique accommodations.
Andrew Duncan
Publisher
Co-founder of Duncan Petersen Publishing. With over 40 years' experience in travel publishing, he maintains editorial standards established with Mel Petersen in 1986. Continues developing innovative guide formats while preserving core values.
Questions
How do you select hotels for inclusion?
Our independent inspectors personally evaluate properties against strict criteria including character, service quality, and authenticity. No paid listings ensure unbiased recommendations.
Are digital versions available?
We offer printed guides with digital enhancements through our website and sister site TripDog, providing current information alongside our physical publications.
Do guides cover budget accommodations?
Our focus is on characterful stays rather than price points. We feature quality small hotels across various budgets where exceptional service and unique character prevail.
How frequently are guides updated?
Update frequency varies by destination. Popular regions like Britain and France receive regular updates, with new editions typically every 2-3 years to ensure accuracy.
Can I buy guides internationally?
UK customers can order directly via phone. International customers may access our guides through selected book retailers or our online sister site TripDog.
