There are three main ways to describe the Thurlestone Hotel: Breathtaking views, sensational food and exceptional service.
Thurleston is a hotel which really shouldn’t be missed when visiting Devon. Built in 1896, it is a family run business which has been passed through the generations with each family adding their own feel, year after year. Having been part of the setting for so long, Thurlestone has become an iconic part of Devon, its picturesque views, family-feel and delicious restaurant well known within the area. Thurlestone beach is a five minute drive away and well worth a visit during your stay. With sandy shores and beautiful caves it’s perfect for whiling away the hours before heading back to the Hotel for a delicious dinner.
The Rooms
With over 64 bedrooms you will struggle to find a room you won’t instantly fall in love with. Their sea facing rooms surpass any expectation with views across the glittering seafront and the balcony rooms are ideal for relaxing and breathing in the country side air. You will also be able to see the Thurlestone rock which the town is named after.
During our stay we stayed in one of their Sea view rooms. The decor in these rooms is beautiful and the room was so clearly well kept that as soon we entered, the relaxing ambience washed over us. The bathroom was well equipped with a walk-in power shower on one side and a bath large enough to relax and unwind with a glass of champagne the other. This also included delicious-smelling bath amenities and soft fluffy towels.
Attached to the bathroom there was a third room which could be used as a separate room for the children or a sitting room for you to settle down in before getting ready for bed or going down to dinner. Wi-Fi, Satellite TV, Ironing board, hairdryer and the safe are all complimentary and a nice added touch.
Dining
If award winning food is something you are after then do not give Thurlestone’s Margaret Amelia restaurant a miss. This fine dining restaurant sources its ingredients locally and offers a one, two or three course menu, with a whole range of food options available. Large windows give way to tumbling views making it an ideal romantic setting.
Gentelmen are required to wear jackets to dinner and it gives a nice chance to dress up and truly enjoy the evening. This higher-class stance is extended to the staff where the waiters wear white gloves and provide a service that you will never forget.
On our visit we were lucky enough to be treated to the three course menu and it’s something we recommend you try during your stay.
The starters were delicious which meant expectation for the mains was even higher (and they didn’t disappoint.)
I went for the smooth Chicken Liver Parfait with Fig Puree, Hazelnuts, Golden Raisins and Toasted Brioche. As far as starters go this could be one of my favourites ever. The Parfait sat nicely next to the toasted brioche and spread smoothly across the bread. The Parfait wasn’t too over powering and the texture was just right.
My partner is a big fan of soups so she decided to go for the Roasted Butternut Squash Soup with Olive Oil Croutons and Basil Pesto. The soup smelt utterly divine and the mixture of spices and flavours left a tingling touch to your tastebuds. Bursting with flavour it was gone within minutes.
For mains I had the Pan Roasted Fillet steak with Chunky chips, Grilled Tomato, Field Mushroom and pink peppercorn sauce. The steak came out rare as requested, perfectly cooked with little fat and nice and juicy. The peppercorn sauce complimented the steak whilst the mushroom and tomato sat nicely on the side and of course properly cooked chips did not go a miss.
My partner decided to go for the Braise Feather Blade of West Country Beef with Yorkshire pudding, Carrots, Roast Potatoes and Green beans in a Red Wine and Shallot Jus. The beef was tender, smooth and full of flavours, offset perfectly by the Red wine and Shallot Jus. The Yorkshire pudding, carrot and roast potatoes were well cooked and complimented the meal nicely.
My partner and I both have a sweet-tooth so couldn’t wait for dessert and luckily the choice was impressive. I went for the simple yet delicious caramel ice cream which came out very well presented and was smooth upon the palette. It was the perfect finisher to a large meal.
My partner opted for the Chocolate brownie with ice cream. Being such a lover of chocolate this certainly went down well! The warm chocolate oozed slowly out of the middle as the brownie broke apart easily – delicious.
Spa and Leisure
Surrounding the hotel grounds the Thurlestone has its very own 9-hole golf course which is open all year round, free to use for all hotel guests. You can find a course map and score cards at reception where you can arrange for yourself and your group to have beginner or intermediate golf lesson at a cost.
If you are looking to relax and de-stress, you must visit the Voyage Spa. Offering an extensive range of spa treatments including: facials, manicures and massages you are sure to walk out stress-free. And if that’s not enough they also have a indoor swimming and a hydrotherapy hot tub to relax in along with a sauna and steam room. During our stay, my partner had a 1hr 10min Ultimate Vitamin Glow Facial (£72) in the spa and described it as one of the best spa treatments she has ever experienced. (A full review is coming soon.)
Also included in the hotel range you have your outdoor tennis courts, indoor squash courts, badminton courts and a snooker room.
Breakfast is hosted in the same restaurant as dinner and offers a range of options from a continental buffet to freshly cooked full-english- all you could need for a busy day exploring the beach and village. It was all cooked perfectly and watching the sun sleepily rising behind the hills as you eat in an ideal way to commence your morning.
We would rate this Hotel as one of our favourite places to visit in Devon. Everything is so well thought of, so perfectly presented and the staff so attentive, they make your stay exceed any expectations. You can head away knowing everything will be taken care of and all you need to focus on is relaxing.
Seen in the City was hosted by Thurlestone Hotel, a member of Pride of Britain Hotels – a collection of 48 privately-owned independent British hotels. Situated on the South Devon coast, not far from Salcombe, the hotel is just a short stroll from a beautiful beach and offers extensive indoor and outdoor leisure facilities. The chic Voyage Spa includes an indoor pool, sauna, steam room, laconium (dry heat room), hydrotherapy pool and an ocean-inspired treatment menu which includes the 1hour 10-minute Ultimate Vitamin Glow facial (£72). A one-night stay in a Sea View Room during autumn costs from £230 (two sharing, valid 18 September-29 October) including dinner and full English breakfast. Call Pride of Britain Hotels on 0800 089 3929 (www.prideofbritainhotels.com).
