Saunton Sands Hotel review, Devon, UK

WHAT’S THE BUZZ? 

This award-winning Art Deco hotel that overlooks Saunton Sands on Devon’s north coast has recently added a luxurious spa. Making the most of its amazing location, the double treatment room, relaxation lounge and marine vitality pool benefit from floor-to-ceiling windows, where you can relax and enjoy uninterrupted views of the vast beach and dunes that stretch out in front of the hotel. With a thermal suite, including a salt inhalation steam room, Finnish aroma sauna, ice fountain and the aforementioned marine vitality pool, as well as treatment rooms offering everything from Kerstin Florian facials and Indian head massage to reflexology and salt scrubs, this three-floor wellbeing centre adds another dimension to what was already a popular location for surfing, food, and families. There are also yoga, Pilates and tai chi classes.

WHAT ARE THE ROOMS LIKE?

Traditional and luxurious, you’re guaranteed comfy beds with plenty of pillows and cushions, thick curtains that block out the light when you want a lie-in, along with complimentary toiletries and coffee and tea-making facilities. Single rooms for the solo traveller are available.

BEST SEA VIEW? 

The sea-facing deluxe rooms have their own private balconies, where you have a view of the sun setting over the Atlantic each night. (They come with a complimentary mini bar and a window seat in the restaurant). There are fabulous views from much of the hotel, the terrace, the outdoor pool and the spa.

HOW ABOUT THE FOOD? 

The on-site two AA Rosette restaurant is excellent. The quality of the produce used and the inventiveness and execution of the dishes is sublime. If you order a classic steak and chips for example, you’ll find you can slice through it like butter. However, if you have a more adventurous palate you won’t be disappointed. Starters include Devon crab, Bloody Mary sorbet, avocado, seaweed tuile and hazelnut, and the scallop dishes are divine. The red mullet fillet I ordered was perfectly cooked, with firm white flesh and crispy skin. In the warmer months, guests can also head down to the Beachside Grill – a more contemporary offering with good veggie and vegan dishes, alongside burgers and fish and chips. There is also a top-notch afternoon tea, with delightful cakes and scones all baked at the hotel.

ECO-CREDENTIALS?

Saunton Sands Hotel converts all of its food waste into electricity, sources its food locally whenever possible to reduce food miles, uses low-energy light bulbs in the building and diverts 80% of waste from landfill with its recycling schemes. The hotel also supports plasticfreenorthdevon.org.

HOW ACCESSIBLE IS IT?

There are three apartments at ground-floor level. The Surf apartment has wet room facilities. A lift gives access to the three main floors, the restaurant and main lounge, and there are also disabled access toilets in the reception area and the Saunton Suite.

WHAT WILL IT COST?

Rooms are priced from £118pp, per night in autumn, including breakfast.

HOW DO I BOOK? 

Call 01271 890212, email [email protected], or visit sauntonsands.co.uk. Please check current government travel advice before booking any trip in the UK.

• For more of our Hot Hotel reviews, go to our Places to Stay section or pick up a copy of Coast magazine for staycation inspiration.