The Victoria Hotel & Source Spa

Let’s start with a positives majority of the staff are exceptionally polite and courteous. It’s got a traditional charm and high standards. The three course dinner and breakfast were delicious, highly recommend the food. The spa has been modernised to high standard but it felt overcrowded with only eight people memberships and hotel guests. Now for our negatives! we didn’t spend much time in our room on the Saturday night, we stayed in the lobby listening to band. At around 6.45am on the Sunday morning, I was woken by the people around walking around their room. The chandelier was shaking and the glass shells rattling, it didn’t stop until 8am by that time I was wide awake. Then, when we returned to our room after breakfast, the chambermaid knocked the door and went explained we weren’t ready get (about 9.30 - but 11am check out). I went for a shower and as I was getting out the chambermaid entered the room without knocking, very embarrassed as my mother-in-law was in her swim wear and I was wrapped in a towel, she just looked down and left the room without a word. Then about 30mins later she walked in again, she did say sorry this time, which I said you must knock before entering rooms. We went down to check out of the room but stay for our spa treatment. The manger said he would get the chandelier checked by the maintenance team as they wouldn’t want it to disturb anymore guests. We went down to the spa and waited for a treatments, which were very good. When we settled the bill the manager had taken a cup of tea off the bill £4.50. It was meant to be a relaxing spa night away, to be woken up so early and then made to feel we had to leave our room was not what I expected.

Wonderful hotel with amazing staff. Very good facilities and very good food. Wonderful extra touches with fresh flower displays in public areas, and a fresh flower left in your room, with a nice greeting note. An incredibly well run hotel, the staff are a credit and all do their jobs to an amazingly high standard, hat off to them all.

Just returned from a spa break this time - stayed longer just recently - my excuse now is to visit more regularly for spa breaks which are excellent and I highly recommend. Brilliant treatment by one of the therapists, so knowledgeable in advising and so relaxing, good choice of treatments, well thought out Source Spa and a lovely outside pool in its surroundings. Its my go to place for its charm and character, welcoming staff from the minute you meet Ray at the door, delicious food, comfortable bedrooms, cleanliness, nothing is too much trouble and a brilliant Management Team. Good location near the sea - short stroll into the town (on the flat). The one place I am happy to go alone. Whenever I leave I am looking forward to going again.......... which hopefully will not be too long! If you have never tried it I suggest you do ........... you will not be disappointed. Thanks to everyone for another enjoyable stay ...... until the next time!

A wonderful hotel with 5 star service. Great food, in a fantastic spot overlooking the sea. Suitable for young and old.

We spent a delightful three nights at the Victoria Hotel earlier this month, blessed with fine weather. As first time visitors, we were in the minority, as many guests were multiple time returners. Our room was on the 3rd floor. It had not been refurbished, but was clean and comfortable with extensive wardrobe space. The bathroom lacked shelving, which meant there was nowhere to store cosmetic bags and large items (apart from a narrow mirrored wall hung cabinet). This could easily be rectified with the addition of a shelf underneath the basin. The room, which was located in the rafters, was incredibly hot. We were supplied with a small fan but this did not help at all. I should note that although the weather was fine and warm, there was no heatwave in Sidmouth! I would avoid a 3rd floor room on a future visit. We asked Housekeeping to supply a cotton sheet and we removed the duvet at night. Despite the warmth of the room, we had a wonderful view of the sea. Prior to arrival, we were emailed by Reception, asking us to book our dining preferences. After consideration, we emailed back, booking a table at the White Room on all three nights. They confirmed back that this had been booked for us. On arrival, we confirmed our dinner bookings at Reception. On the first evening, we arrived at the White Room (very pleasant smaller dining room) but the member of staff in charge said that there was no booking for us there - and we'd been booked into the main Jubilee Restaurant. You can imagine our surprise, and it was as if we had to supply proof and we were trying to enter this dining room illegally!! Eventually we were seated and the member of staff adjusted our bookings on the system. It was all rather embarrassing and irregular! We were glad to have booked the White Room, as there was space between tables and the service was very attentive. The menu offered plenty of choice and we dined very well over the three evenings. We had breakfast in the Jubilee Restaurant each morning and our allocated table was very small and cramped - pushed up against another table, separated only by a screen. It seemed that this was the situation for many of the tables and we were glad not to be having our evening meal there! That said, the staff at breakfast were very attentive and the hot breakfast was cooked to order and delicious. Throughout the hotel, including the bar and pool area, the staff were excellent and always had a smile for guests. This is the second Brend hotel we've visited, and it did not disappoint, apart from the issues listed above. We did think that the sandwich lunches were overpriced at an eye-watering £16 for basic ham on white. The DBB offer was more acceptable, although the A La Carte options were overpriced, easily matching London Mayfair prices! All that said, we look forward to our next visit (although not on the 3rd floor).

This is a superbly presented, elegant and sophisticated hotel. The facilities are top notch and the staff are polite and very helpful. Breakfast is a veritable feast of choices and is of the highest quality. Dinner does not disappoint either, and is served in one of two lovely restaurants. Definitely worth a return visit.