Hotel Riviera
Sidmouth, Devon
Good Hotel Guide Review
Devotees are drawn back time after time to Peter Wharton’s quintessential British seafront hotel, and that is ‘always a good sign’, as one reader remarks this year. Another, who stayed ten years ago and ‘loved it’, returned to find it ‘completely unchanged’. Amid a chorus of approval a lone voice calls for a little ‘sympathetic modernisation’. Bedrooms vary in size, and a large, bow-fronted, sea-view room is clearly a top choice. All have room service, cut flowers, fresh milk on request. We hear high praise for the ‘unfailingly friendly, attentive’ staff. Chef Martin Osedo cooks classics with a modern spin, and ‘dinner is an experience to look forward to’. Hits have included ‘roast hake with smoked haddock fritters, cockle and prawn chowder’, ‘the most delectable piece of beef fillet I have had for years’, and ‘a monumental chocolate parfait’. Breakfast, cooked to order, includes freshly squeezed orange and grapefruit juice, fresh-baked pastries, kippers, smoked haddock, gammon and hash browns – ‘excellent, as expected from our previous visit’. (Richard Creed, John Charnley)
Hotel details
Address
The Esplanade
Sidmouth
Devon
EX10 8AY
England
Telephone
01395 515201
Bedrooms
26. None on ground floor.
Open
all year.
Facilities
small lift (not suitable for large wheelchairs), foyer, lounge, bar, restaurant, function facilities, in-room TV (Freeview), terrace, opposite beach (safe bathing), public rooms wheelchair accessible.
Background music
in bar and restaurant, occasional live piano music in bar.
Children
all ages welcomed.
Dogs
small dogs allowed in some bedrooms, not in public rooms except foyer.
Credit cards
Amex, MC, Visa.
Prices
B&B single £121–£228, per person , double £121–£253, D,B&B single £121–£250, double £111–£275. Set dinner £43–£47, à la carte £47.
Other reviews
VisitEngland Four Star Hotel
AA Four Star Hotel with Two AA Rosettes
Good Hotel Guide articles about
Hotel Riviera
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- Wedding Ideas Magazine: The top 10 most beautiful Devon wedding venues
- Visit South Devon: Five South Devon hotels for foodies
My room was clean, comfortable and well appointed. The food was well cooked, attractively presented and of top quality. Everything was brought to the table at breakfast;. there was a good choice of cooked dish, and the service was friendly and attentive. This is a lovely traditional seaside hotel occupying a Georgian building on the sea front. Most of the staff addressed me by name and, without exception, they gave the impression of being committed to providing first class service to all their guests.
- Ian Marsha - November 2020
Just a brief not to confirm that this hotel really does deserve its entry in the Guide. Hard to imagine how a (relatively) small hotel could be bettered in present (or most other) circumstances. Very helpful, cheerful and well-trained staff; consistently imaginative but unpretentious cooking to very high standards. Our room was spacious, with the best planned bathroom we have met for many years. A real treat, right down to valet parking, which was a wholly unexpected bonus in a hotel of this size.
- Michael Lewis - October 2020
This hotel, has a wonderful feel about it, and very attentive and well trained staff. The food is first class; the five-course dinner each night was delicious and well thought out. Full cooked English breakfast was superb. We also had a table in one of the bay windows which was much appreciated. The rooms are excellent - all the normal services with plenty of storage space and two chairs to sit in the bay window looking out to sea.
- Richard Bright - January 2020
We again booked a sea view room, comfortable and well appointed in every respect. We again emphasise the outstanding quality of the service in all areas. Dinner is an event to look forward to. The main courses were imaginative without being excessively elaborate. One can be entirely confident of tasty, interesting, well -cooked food, a relaxed atmosphere and service which ensures that the meal proceeds at a steady pace. Breakfast was excellent.
- John Charnley - June 2019
A charming traditional hotel wonderful sea views. We had an excellent room. Dinner was excellent and served with style. It was good to see staff dressed traditionally (although one could not say that of all the male guests).
- John Barnes - May 2018
Last updated:
October, 2019. Information from the 2020 Good Hotel Guide
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