Thurlestone Hotel

So much of this stay was a 5 star review but sadly the rest was so poor we had to give it 3 stars. The good bits… a free upgrade to a seaview balcony room - beautiful view and room. The Reception staff & Amed, facilities were nice, a bit tatty but it’s quite old. The outdoor pool was lovely. Cold but nice seating area around it. The bad bits… general staff in the bar, (I heard one member telling another off for not smiling!) and restaurant. When we booked the hotel we said I was allergic to dairy. Reception said I would get a specific menu, the restaurant manager said my waiter would explain what I could eat on the menu. The reality the waiter when he eventually came up asked me if I was ready to order and I explained the diary free conversation and he said oh what ever you want the chef will make something from scratch based on any of the dishes. I was served dairy. When I said to my husband should I check this is dairy free he said don’t be daft it’s a 4 star hotel and you have told everyone. After a few mouthfuls another waiter walked past and I asked him to check he came back laughing saying oh goodness how allergic are you?! I ended up paying for chewy crisps @ the bar for supper. And the bar area was always grubby. My husband found half a chewed sweet on the arm of his chair! The spa - for £180 for two treatments you wouldn’t expect the staff to turn up late & then feel rushed. We also then missed our lunch reservation ( somewhere else!) The Village inn isn’t great. But the reception staff recommended the Sloop which was fab! The indoor pool was lovely the hot tub didn’t work fully and there was no staff to be seen anywhere so you can imagine there was plenty of jumping in and diving! Book a sea view balcony room and use it as a base and it’s a great spot!

We had a very large room on the top floor with a fantastic view. Large bathroom with a slight plumbing problem. The restaurant is fine and there’s always the pub restaurant for a choice or you can order smaller things at the bar. Service is good. Street leading to the hotel is very narrow and quite busy so beware. Very quiet hotel.

We have visited the hotel on several occasions and it never disappoints. The rooms are comfortable and the restaurant overlooks a wonderful seaside vista. As always the standard of the evening dinner was excellent both in the quality of the produce, the choice of dishes and the presentation. We shall return.

Just doesn't get better than this. Been coming for years and will always come again! The Grose family and their staff are so good at what they do.

This hotel is in a stunning setting, with everything you could want. Food was exceptionally good. The lounge at lunch time is very under staffed, found ourselves hunting around for sometime to locate someone. The issue we had was the total lack of control regarding children. Surely the hotel staff could witness the screaming and running around? Not one member asked them, or the parents, to stop. My husband had to tell one child, approximate age 10, to cease jumping up and down the steps in the bar area as we were trying to have a pleasant pre dinner drink. The parents just glared at us, completely ignored our request, as did the child. Surely the hotel has a responsibility to the majority of guests that don’t have children screaming and running, and not condone or permit this behaviour to the few that do! Unfortunately we won’t return, quite ruined our stay, which is sad, as if just one member of staff took the initiative and politely requested the behaviour be curtailed, how different our stay would’ve been.

Personal service amid exquisite detail in a very relaxed and relaxing place. It would hard to find an experience of hospitality and relief from the daily routines packed into such a short stay. More than a real spa!