A chance remark, and a walk along the prom between meetings on the same bracing day took me past No 1.

I called in for a peek and was bowled over. The homely lounge, individually designed bedrooms – several with sea view - and a genuine welcome were vital sparks.

I took my board colleagues there a few hours later for a recce and we decided to book in on our next stay.

We were not disappointed. This is five star accommodation with extras.
Example, watching TV while having a Jacuzzi in your en suite bathroom.
Stylish bedrooms and real service – even down to the smallest dietry detail – add to the experience. They even have an extensive range of books and a library of DVD’s to borrow.

The food is delicious. Breakfast has a huge choice, all freshly cooked and served with squeezed orange juice and a selection of herbal tea, if required.
And there is not just the normal British. There are five special selections. My favourite is smoked fish with poached egg.

Evening meals are also a delight. Devilled kidneys, with a rich sauce, are superb. So is the sea bass. The meat fell off the bones and the vegetables were spot on.

Nothing is too much trouble for multi-award winner Mark and Claire and their team. Summing up, Number One South Beach is a superb boutique Blackpool guest house with a quality modern British restaurant.

Mark and Claire know what it takes as another establishment was voted Britain’s best B&B in Britain in 2007 – Number One St Luke’s.

The lounge at Number One South Beach has a 50-inch plasma screen and the 42-cover restaurant has a bar area as well as separate private dining facilities. A fine wine list complements the modern British cooking.

It would be hard to find anywhere else that could compete with his tag line as the No 1 place to stay in Blackpool.