5 South Devon Hotels for Foodies

Guest Blog Post - The Good Hotel Guide

Clotted cream, honeycomb ice cream, mega scones and fresh seafood - when it comes to dining out, South Devon is a feast for the senses and these are the hotels that serve it up with extra finesse.  Take a look at five of the Good Hotel Guide’s South Devon hotels for foodies…

Salcombe Harbour Hotel, Salcombe

In the seaside town that’s famous for its Salcombe Dairy ice cream, the Salcombe Harbour Hotel serves breakfast, lunch and dinner with a view of the estuary in The Jetty Restaurant.  Tuck into afternoon tea and all the coastal classics at this luxury hotel, courtesy of award-winning Chef Alex Aitken, as the sailing boats bob by.

The Cricket Inn, Beesands

Having first opened its doors in 1867, The Cricket Inn sits only metres from the sloping beach and the crystal clear waters of Start Bay in the small fishing village of Beesands.  The menu is populated with fresh seafood and local produce including locally reared beef and lamb, for which the area is known, as well as vegetables grown nearby - it’s a wonderfully wholesome experience - perfect after a day of coastal exploration.

Ilsington Country House Hotel, Dartmoor

Close to Haytor, an iconic spot on Dartmoor, Ilsington Country House Hotel is run by the Hassell family who have been Devon hoteliers for four generations.  Surrounded by dramatic landscapes, it is the sort of place where log fires and traditional furnishings abound.  The Blue Tiger Inn is a favourite amongst locals (always a good sign), for bistro food, while the main restaurant serves a more formal menu of British favourites.

Strete Barton House, Dartmouth

In the summer regatta, Dartmouth showcases the best of the area's food and drink amidst a carnival atmosphere, and at Strete Barton House, a 16th-century manor house in a nearby village, food is a distillation of all those wonderful things, and it’s available all year round. Food is all about using local ingredients and putting them into home made favourites - cakes, yoghurts and all the homely things that Devon does so well. Arrive and enjoy the achingly beautiful views with tea and biscuits.

Hotel Riviera, Sidmouth

The devil is definitely in the details at this elaborate Regency terrace overlooking Lyme Bay. Hotel Riviera is warm, friendly and professional, where you wake up to the sound of waves lapping the beach, and where chef Martin Osedo’s daily-changing menu features fine dining favourites including seared scallops and fresh fruit compotes. Locally caught seafood is served with finesse, Devon farmhouse cheeses are top of the menu and poultry and meat is all carefully sourced nearby.

From a selection of the Good Hotel Guide’s hotels in Devon