‘We rate this very highly in almost every respect.’ Praise from a reader for Keith Makepeace’s much-loved, family-run, family-friendly, dog-friendly hotel in a ‘gorgeous’ coastal setting. ‘Comfortable, well-appointed’ bedrooms have views of sea or rolling National Trust countryside; floor-to-ceiling glass doors lead on to a private patio. ‘The lounge is a beautiful room enhanced by interesting abstract paintings.’ The staff are ‘without exception, pleasant and helpful’. You can take lunch in the restaurant, on the terrace, or in Castaways, the ‘barefoot café’, serving coffees, cream teas, light bites; a chowder of ‘the freshest fish’; a sharing board of Salcombe crab, crevettes, smoked salmon; char-grilled steak; veggie options. At night, chef Ian MacDonald’s ‘imaginative’ menus feature such dishes as hake, Parmesan and herb crunch, creamed potatoes, wilted greens, salsa verde. A Devonshire breakfast sets guests up for a ramble along the South West Coast Path, or a gentle stroll to the beautiful, secluded beach below. ‘We were very taken with the amazing wild flowers. A group of red deer hinds was 
seen on the slope opposite the hotel.’ (John Saul, D and JB)