‘The lodging-houses at Bablicome are magnificent to be seen, And the accommodation there would suit either king or queen.’ William Topaz McGonagall extols the beauties of Babbacombe, where Lana de Savary’s hotel sits just above the beach, at the foot of a wooded corniche road. It was newly built when Edward VII came by rowing boat for a Devonshire cream tea. He would not know it today, with its spa, coastal-chic bedrooms, glamorous suites, beach huts with mezzanine bedroom, glass doors, sun deck with Adirondack loungers. All rooms are supplied with decanter of sloe gin, White Company toiletries, robes. All but one have a terrace or balcony. Our inspector’s room was ‘spacious and attractive’, with a ‘magnificent view of Torbay’. He rated the ‘genuine welcome’, the dog-friendliness, the ‘relaxed, intimate atmosphere’ of the lounge and ‘strong sense of fisherman’s pub’ in the bar. Steve Poyner has been promoted to head chef. Expect ‘gastro food cooked simply’, River Exe mussels, Brixham fish and chips, West Country beef fillet, veggie options. New, too, this year are watery activities: kayaking, paddle-boarding, mackerel fishing, sailing on a classic wooden yacht. Reports, please.