I've always avoided the likes of Hiltons, Ramadas, Travelodges etc regardless of the degree of luxury (except if its just for an overnight pitstop en route somewhere and I'd be arriving late and leaving early) on the basis that (and I appreciate that this an overgeneralisation) they lack soul and individuality (I'd make an exception for a Hotel du Vin though!).

Now I've been seduced by the Flyertalk free points view of the world a little bit and I'm wondering if I've overlooked some great hotels that way.

My sis and I are thinking of taking Mum away for a weekend as she's 80 in October. Mum's a bit unsteady on her feet but would only use a wheelchair when she'd otherwise have to walk quite a way (at Bluewater for example). So we're likely to be driving around the countryside, sitting in country pubs or city cafes, not really doing very much. So good local scenery and accessible villages nearby would be good, as would a good in house restaurant or one very close by. Spa facilities aren't greatly important although we might splash out on a treatment of some sort if there was a spa onsite.

On that basis, where (either chain or non-chain) would you suggest within a couple of hours of the M20/M25 junction, assuming a budget of c£150 per room per night?