The Good Hotel Guide is the leading independent guide to hotels in Great Britain & Ireland, and also covers parts of Continental Europe. The Guide was first published in 1978. It is written for the reader seeking impartial advice on finding a good place to stay. Hotels cannot buy their way into the Guide. The editors and inspectors do not accept free hospitality on their anonymous visits to hotels. All hotels in the Guide receive a free basic listing. A fee is charged for a full web entry.
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Hotel Riviera
Sidmouth, Devon
With its white-stucco, bow-windowed façade and fluttering umbrellas, the Wharton family's regency hotel has is a jolly presence on Sidmouth's esplanade.
Good Hotel Guide Review
The hotel experts at the Good Hotel Guide
With its white-stucco, bow-windowed façade and fluttering umbrellas, this regency hotel has long been a jolly presence on Sidmouth's esplanade. From grapefruit segments on the breakfast menu to the boast of 'colour TV' in room specs, it is old-fashioned in a way that appeals greatly to some more than others. 'No smart TV, no minibar, no fridge', a disappointed reader complained – and no duvet, just 'a heavy eiderdown and blanket'. Well, yes, the decor and furnishings are somewhat 20th-century. But the Riviera doesn't promise to be boutique or cutting edge, and it does not fall short of the high standards of hospitality that it sets for itself. It's either your sort of place or it isn't. In the restaurant you'll find dishes such as rack of lamb with thyme jus and ratatouille; Dover sole with lemon and chive butter sauce; wild mushroom, spinach and ricotta parcel. Should you fancy something lighter and cheaper, a Lyme Bay crab salad on the terrace suggests itself. Although the hotel now has new owners, they say no changes are to be expected in the imminent future – this is a hotel that moves at its own gentle pace.
Hotel Details
Address
The Esplanade, Sidmouth, Devon, EX10 8AY, England
Telephone
01395515201
Bedroom
26. None on ground floor.
Openings
all year.
Background Music
in bar and restaurant, occasional pianist in bar.
Children
all ages welcomed, under-3s free, extra bed 25%–75% of per-person adult rate.
Dogs
small dogs allowed in some bedrooms (£17.50 a night, by arrangement), not in public rooms.
Credit Cards
Amex, MC, Visa.
Prices
B&B doubles from £272, singles from £136. Set-price dinner £50–£54 (3/5 courses), à la carte £65, vegetarian £44, bar and terrace £40.
Facilities
small lift, foyer, lounge, bar, restaurant, function rooms, in-room TV (Freeview), terrace, parking (£8.50 a day), public rooms wheelchair accessible.
Location
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