If you’re looking for a luxurious beachside holiday, South Devon is an excellent choice.
Not only does it offer stunning natural beauty, but also a number of incredible hotels that will make your stay unforgettable. In this post, we’ll take a look at some of the best luxury beachside hotels in South Devon.
1. Salcombe Harbour Hotel & Spa
Salcombe Harbour Hotel & Spa is a luxurious 4-star hotel overlooking the Salcombe Estuary.
This hotel boasts a stunning coastal location with a variety of rooms and suites to choose from, all with stylish decor and comfortable furnishings. Guests can enjoy breathtaking views of the water and the surrounding countryside from their rooms.
Activities and facilities at the hotel include a spa with a hydrotherapy pool, sauna, and steam room, as well as a fitness center. The hotel also has its own private cinema, which guests can book for a movie night.
For those who prefer the outdoors, the hotel offers access to various water sports and outdoor activities such as sailing, paddleboarding, and kayaking.
The hotel is a short walk from Salcombe town center, where guests can explore the town’s charming streets and local shops. Popular local attractions include the Salcombe Maritime Museum and the South West Coast Path, which offers stunning coastal walks with panoramic views.
The hotel’s fine-dining restaurant, The Jetty, serves locally sourced and sustainably caught seafood, as well as a variety of other dishes. The restaurant has a great reputation for its seafood platters, which include an array of fresh oysters, prawns, crab, and lobster. The Terrace Bar is a more casual option, serving up light bites and drinks with fantastic views of the estuary.
2. The Cary Arms & Spa
The Cary Arms & Spa is a luxurious boutique hotel located on Babbacombe Bay, offering guests the perfect beachside retreat. This hotel offers a range of luxurious rooms, including beach huts and suites, with many featuring sea views and balconies.
Guests can take advantage of the hotel’s private beach, where they can relax on the sun loungers, take a dip in the sea or try out a variety of water sports such as paddleboarding, kayaking and sailing. The hotel also offers spa treatments, an outdoor pool and a fitness center.
For those who enjoy walking, the South West Coastal Path runs right past the hotel, providing stunning views of the coastline.
The hotel has a restaurant that serves locally sourced seafood and other seasonal dishes straight from the kitchen garden, with stunning views of the sea. For a special occasion, try the afternoon tea or an organised picnic on the beach. Guests can also enjoy the hotel’s Captain’s Table, an intimate dining experience in a private room with a bespoke menu.
3. Burgh Island Hotel
Burgh Island Hotel is a luxurious Art Deco hotel located on a private island just off the South Devon coast.
The hotel has been a popular destination for the rich and famous since the 1930s, and it’s easy to see why. The hotel features stylish, elegant rooms and suites that offer breathtaking sea views.
For activities and facilities, guests can enjoy a range of water sports such as paddleboarding and kayaking, as well as tennis, croquet, and golf. There is also a luxurious spa on site, which offers a range of treatments and therapies to help guests relax and unwind.
The hotel is committed to sustainability and has implemented several eco-friendly initiatives, such as using locally sourced and organic produce in their restaurants and reducing waste by recycling and composting.
The hotel has two dining options: The Grand Ballroom Restaurant and The Nettlefold Restaurant. The Grand Ballroom Restaurant serves classic dishes with a contemporary twist, using only the freshest and highest quality ingredients. The Nettlefold Restaurant is a more informal option, serving delicious seafood dishes in a relaxed and informal setting.
4. Thurlestone Hotel
Thurlestone Hotel is a luxurious family-friendly hotel located in the picturesque village of Thurlestone, just a stone’s throw away from the beach. The hotel has been a popular destination for over 120 years, and it’s easy to see why.
With breathtaking coastal views and luxurious facilities, Thurlestone Hotel is the perfect place to unwind and enjoy a truly relaxing holiday.
Thurlestone Hotel offers a range of luxurious facilities to its guests, including a par-3 golf course, a spa and leisure complex, tennis courts, and two outdoor swimming pools.
Their award-winning restaurant, The Trevilder, serves delicious locally sourced food in a relaxed and elegant setting. The restaurant has two AA Rosettes and offers a daily changing menu that features the best of the South Devon region. The hotel also has a more casual dining option in The Village Inn, which serves classic British dishes and local ales.
This is the perfect luxury beachside hotel for families and couples looking for a relaxing and indulgent getaway. Its commitment to sustainability and the local community makes it a great choice for eco-conscious travelers.
5. Lympstone Manor
Technically in East Devon, but still on the south coast, Lympstone Manor is one of the most luxurious beachside hotels in the south-west.
Part of Relais-Chateaux, the hotel has a strong focus on sustainability, with a commitment to reducing waste and using locally-sourced ingredients in their restaurant. In fact, the hotel’s restaurant has been awarded a Michelin star and is run by renowned chef Michael Caines.
In addition to its excellent dining options, Lympstone Manor Hotel offers a range of activities and facilities for guests to enjoy.
There is a spa on-site, which offers a range of treatments and therapies, as well as a fitness center and tennis court. The hotel is also located in Exmouth, close to several popular local attractions, including the Jurassic Coast and the Exe Estuary.
Choose from a range of luxurious rooms and suites, each with its own unique character and style. Some rooms offer stunning views of the estuary, while others overlook the hotel’s beautiful gardens.
Lympstone Manor is a fantastic choice for those looking for a luxurious beachside retreat in South Devon. Whether you want to relax and unwind in the spa, explore the local area, or indulge in some Michelin-starred dining, this hotel has something to offer everyone.
6. South Sands Hotel
The South Sands Hotel is a boutique dog-friendly beachside hotel that offers a unique blend of coastal charm and contemporary design, and has been awarded a Gold Green Tourism Award for its sustainability efforts.
The hotel features 22 stylish rooms and suites, each with breathtaking views of the Salcombe Estuary or the rolling Devon hills. Rooms are spacious and luxurious, with crisp linens, comfortable beds, and thoughtful touches like Nespresso coffee machines and Bang & Olufsen sound systems.
In terms of facilities and activities, the hotel offers guests the use of paddleboards, kayaks, and sailing dinghies, as well as a private beach with deck chairs and parasols. Enjoy a game of tennis on the hotel’s court, or take a dip in the heated outdoor pool overlooking the estuary.
The hotel’s beachside restaurant serves up delicious seafood and locally-sourced produce, with an emphasis on sustainability and seasonality.
7. Gara Rock Hotel
Located in Salcombe, Gara Rock Hotel is a stunning clifftop hotel overlooking the sea that’s committed to sustainability.
With 30 luxurious rooms and suites, this hotel offers the perfect blend of contemporary design and coastal charm. Guests can enjoy breathtaking views of the coastline from the hotel’s sun terrace, which is equipped with comfortable seating and fire pits for cooler evenings.
The hotel also features a heated indoor pool, sauna, steam room, and hot tub for guests to relax and unwind. In addition, the Gara Rock restaurant serves up delicious, locally sourced cuisine, with an emphasis on seafood.
There are also plenty of outdoor activities to enjoy, such as hiking along the nearby South West Coast Path, kayaking, and stand-up paddleboarding.
Dogs are welcome in selected rooms and in the hotel’s dog-friendly bar area.
With its idyllic location and luxurious amenities, Gara Rock Hotel is the perfect place for a romantic getaway or a family vacation by the sea.
Luxury beachside accommodation in South Devon
These are just a few of the many fantastic luxury hotels in South Devon.
Whether you’re looking for a romantic getaway, a family holiday, or a luxurious break with friends, there’s something for everyone in this beautiful part of the world.
So why not book your stay today and experience the luxury of South Devon for yourself?
