A small hotel which started life as a Victorian railway station has scooped an industry 'Oscar', beating big-name rivals and multi-million pound chains.

The Old Railway Station at Petworth has been given a Csar Award by the Good Hotel Guide 2005, one of only ten handed out each year.

The hotel, which sleeps 16, largely in old Pullman carriages, was singled out for its "utterly enjoyable mild eccentricity".

Judges loved Lou Rapley's character-filled hotel, calling it "the perfect place to stay".

The guide, published on Thursday, recommends 18 hotels in Sussex.

Editor Desmond Balmer said he viewed chain hotels with caution, largely because the important bond between host and guest was missing.

But at Petworth inspectors were impressed with the Grade II-listed building's elegance and style and were charmed that guests slept in luxury carriages.

The coaches, as used on the Orient Express, are converted into four luxury suites with bathrooms and central heating.

Lou, who has run The Old Railway Station with her dentist husband Mike for 13 years and employs 12 staff, said: "I'm absolutely amazed to win."

Lou used to be a British Airways purser and has gathered plenty of experience staying in hotels around the world.

She said: "Perhaps that stood me in good stead for running my own. I do pay a lot of attention to detail and lie awake worrying about little things."

Visitors are welcomed with tea and home-made cake. As well as the carriages, there is a former gents' toilet (with high window for privacy), and a beamed bedroom reached via a spiral staircase through the library.

The former waiting room, which has a 20ft vaulted ceiling and original ticket office windows, is now the breakfast room. Food is served by a waitress wearing a modified railway steward's uniform.

Lou has also converted one of the porter's cottages into a self-catering cottage.

Inspectors were impressed by her meticulous approach and little extras which included excellent lighting, hot water bottle, fan heater and shoe cleaning kit, as well as the "excellent value". An average one-night stay costs £75 per couple, including full breakfast.

Other Sussex hotels mentioned in the guide for the first time this year include The Place at Camber Sands, The Royal Oak at East Lavant and Durrant House Hotel at Rye.

The only chain hotels recommended are the Hotel Du Vin and the Alias Seattle in Brighton.

The awards are named after Csar Ritz, the celebrated hotelier, and recognise excellence in hotel-keeping.