Author: Round & About

From luxury boutique hotels for romantic mini breaks to family friendly beachside escapes, hotels in Devon are blessed with beautiful landscapes and plenty of local suppliers, making their food and wine superb. As the days get warmer and weekends away get even more appealing, here the Good Hotel Guide shares 10 of their top hotels in Devon with us…

Burgh Island Hotel

Bigbury on Sea

A hotel that’s really unlike any other, Burgh Island is a 1920s gem on a private island off the coast of Bigbury on Sea. Connected to the mainland by a strip of sand where the tide comes in from both sides, you are escorted to their hotel on their unique sea tractor. It is little wonder that Agatha Christie was inspired to write famous stories including Poirot whilst staying at the hotel. Guests are invited to an evening of white tie dining in 1920s style amongst the authentic Art Deco glamour. Definitely one for special occasions.

The Old Rectory Hotel

Martinhoe

A rural haven, this Georgian country house sits amongst the peace and tranquility of Exmoor. With views of the sea it has all the hallmarks of a dreamy Devon escape including a quintessentially British menu of local produce, hewn into delectable dishes by Michael Caine acolyte Thomas Frost.

Hotel Endsleigh

Tavistock

Built for Georgiana, Duchess of Bedford, Hotel Endsleigh was once a fishing lodge. It stands in a ‘magical’ landscape of grottoes and follies created by Humphry Repton, on the banks of the Tamar, while inside interior designer Olga Polizzi contrasts rustic simplicity with antiques, hand-painted wallpaper and modern artwork.

Lewtrenchard Manor

Okehampton

A luxury country house hotel, Lewtrenchard Manor is a family run hideaway in a secluded valley on Dartmoor. In a setting that’s virtually untouched by any kind of development, the hotel offers the perfect combination of luxury accommodation and countryside tranquility. Beautifully decorated with oil paintings, stucco ceilings and antique-filled rooms, it is a place to visit for romantic weekends strolling on the moors and to snuggle down with a good book.

Cary Arms and Spa

Babbacombe

Down a winding road that takes you right to the beach, Cary Arms and Spa is perched in an idyllic position right by the water. A luxurious escape offering superb food and accommodation characterised by coastal elegance, it is a classic English inn that has really surpassed itself. Charming beach huts are uniquely characterful, the spa adds an extra level of relaxation and you’re literally a stone’s throw from a swim in the sea.

The Pig at Combe

Honiton

Known for its food, The Pig at Combe is a honey coloured Elizabethan country house amongst the rolling Devon hills. Its exceptional, curated rustic style is a trademark of The Pig brand, as is its three walled kitchen gardens and its dedication to using local produce. In particular, that means Devonshire cheese and locally reared meat from butchers around the market town of Honiton. Warm, welcoming, romantic, stylish and excellent for foodies.

Fingals

Dittisham

Eccentric and quirky are definitely words to describe Fingals. Somewhere between and hotel and a B&B, proprietors willingly describe it as a unique experience. It is a little like going into a time warp – somewhere between the home of an eccentric aristocrat and a 1930s rural escape. In this 17th century property each room is different – antiques and artefacts are peppered throughout so it’s a bit of an adventure at every turn, all harping back to a bygone era combining a homely welcome and a sense of humour. It is a real favourite with families whose children must feel like they’ve walked into an Enid Blyton novel when they’re here. Run around on the lawns and play croquet, hide and seek, boules and let mum and dad watch whilst drinking tea from china cups, as relaxed as if they were at home.

Southernhay House Hotel

Exeter

An exquisitely decorated boutique hotel on a quiet street in Exeter, Southernhay House Hotel fuses the best of personality, history and contemporary style and service. Deliciously styled with rich colours, antiques and furnishings that complement the Georgian architecture, the staff are friendly – nothing is too much trouble, the food is exceptional and the environment is one you could happily sit and have coffee in all day long. Make sure you leave lavish amounts of time for dinner and breakfast because they are really worth enjoying. And in the morning be sure to spend lots of time luxuriating in super comfortable beds with a cup fo tea. They even leave a little bag of local fudge in the bedroom for you to welcome you. Everything is a delight.

Thurlestone Hotel

Kingsbridge

Surrounded by a golf course and five minutes from the sea, you’re spoiled for choice when it comes to beaches at the Thurlestone Hotel. You can go for easily accessible beaches or secluded ones for the more adventurous amongst you. That said, if you decide to stay at the hotel you can explore the subtropical gardens, games library, badminton courts, and a pint in the 16th century pub next door. The spa had a renovation recently which has turned it into a really exceptional space to unwind. A family friendly hotel but also offering a sense of old world elegance, it will definitely make for a really special family holiday to remember.

Bayards Cove Inn

Dartmouth

A historic pub with rooms, Bayards Cove Inn is located at the end of the main street in Dartmouth, just tucked away enough that there aren’t any cars going past, but right in the midst of things so that you are three seconds from the water’s edge. If you were to visit in the height of summer during the regatta weeks, you really would be in the centre of all the buzz. You are greeted outside by a chocolate-box perfect entrance – Tudor architecture with its slightly crooked doors designed in an era where nobody ever exceeded 6ft tall. You walk straight into the pub when you arrive, and check in is at the bar. It is so well placed for anyone wanting to explore Dartmouth, but equally if you simply want to spend a night away and feel indulgent without breaking the bank, it’s ideal.