Our 34th Wedding Anniversary At The Soar Mill Cove Hotel

Steve and I decided last year to take it in turns to arrange a night away in a hotel to celebrate our Wedding Anniversary. Well as we have now been married for so long (and Steve deserves a long service medal for putting up with me for so long, ) we thought it would be nice to celebrate each year in a different Hotel overnight stay. Last year Steve arranged an overnight stay down in Looe in Cornwall at the Hannafore Point Hotel which was lovely, so I then had to decide where to take him this year.So it was actually back last year in July 2011 (just a few weeks after our 33rd anniversary), that I decided where it was going to be, and subsequently booked the Soar Mill Cove Hotel near Salcombe for the 20th May 2012. It seemed an age away when I confirmed the booking but the 20th May 2012 came around very quickly and I can now report on what a lovely evening we had.

We didn’t have to travel too far, as the hotel was still in the beautiful South Hams area where we live, so about 25 minutes up the road and we were there. Well what a beautiful, spectacular and tranquil spot it was. The hotel is situated at the bottom of a long windy lane, and is completely in its own little corner of the world and is surrounded by National Trust land. It has uninterrupted views between a gap in the tall granite laden hills to the secluded little Soar Mill Cove and views out to sea. The hotel looks very modern from the outside and all the rooms are at ground level, so no stairs to climb and it nestles into the surrounding countryside.

We were shown to our beautiful bedroom which had a seating area in front of patio doors with fantastic uninterrupted views out to sea. Outside was our own little patio area where there were two patio chairs and two sun loungers. It was really beautiful, and so peaceful.

We were offered a complimentary cream tea which we had in the lovely lounge, again having the wonderful views, and where I fell in love with a swivelling circular cane chair, that I would have liked to have taken it home. We decided we had to walk off the scones, jam and clotted cream so put on our walking shoes and walked down to Soar Mill Cove which can only be accessed by foot, and then a steep trek up one of the steep cliffs, where once at the top, the views were breathtaking. Well we had to make sure the cream tea had gone down, before we went down to dinner!! Although the sun wasn’t out and it was a bit dull, there wasn’t a breath of wind, and it was oh so quiet and peaceful.

The walk took about an hour, and then we decided to use the indoor swimming pool to work off even more of the cream tea. Well we had to try out the facilities that were on offer and to make room for our dinner.

It was then dinner time and we had a lovely table, again with a view out to sea, and we enjoyed a relaxing meal. We started with an appetiser of a wedge of Deep Fried Brie with wild rocket, which was delicious. We then both had a duck in a honey and orange dressing, on a base of salad. For our main meal, Steve opted for Westcountry Fillet of Beef with Pomme Frites and a mushroom and stilton gravy and I had fillet of pork on top of green vegetables, carrots and a mashed potato tower (the foodie term for it I have forgotten) but it all looked very pretty. Now usually, as I am not a sweet tooth, I usually have cheese and biscuits but the caramalised orange tart with passion fruit sorbet, looked too tempting, so I opted for that, and I am glad that I did as it was delicious. Now Steve, who is a sweet tooth, decided there was nothing sweet or stodgy enough on the menu, so he opted for cheese and biscuits, which was such a lot, that I had to help him out – on go the pounds!!!!

We had our coffee and petit fors in the lounge, where I just had to sit in my swivel chair again, and then it was time for bed.

Then it was up for a full English breakfast which again was lovely, and as we sat admiring the lovely views again, out came the sun, so it was a lovely end to a very nice time, and I hope Steve enjoyed it – I did. So over to him for next year’s arrangements!!!

I would love to be a Hotel Critique Inspector, so here in my opinion are the Pros and Cons of this Hotel

Pros

The position and the piece and quiet is stunning. If you want a relaxing place to stay then you would not get any better than this.

Our bedroom was large and airy, with a good sized seating area, where there were two large comfortable chairs, two stools and a table, and having a lovely view through the patio doors out over the valley and down to the sea.

If you want a peaceful nights sleep, then you are assured to get it.

Lovely coastal walks along the South Devon Coastal path

Good indoor pool that we used. There are other facilities like a tennis court and pitch and put, childrens play area and spa and beauty treatments, but as we were only there for one night we did not use these

Good restaurant food with lovely views

Cons

It is quite expensive, and not entirely sure if it was worth the money.

Our room was lovely and large, however I felt the decor needed a little updating and the shower in the bathroom was not very good at all with hardly any pressure.

We had just got off to sleep when the alarm went off at 12.00 a.m which obviously woke us up and then could not get back to sleep again. Whether this was deliberately set by the previous occupants of our room, we will never know. If they did, then thank you very much!!!. This was very annoying and we did mention it to the Receptionist when we checked out.

The menu for the restaurant was a bit confusing. We were booked in for dinner, bed and breakfast, yet the menu showed at the bottom in very small writing “appetiser and 2 courses, coffee and petit fors £35.00 and appetiser, 3 courses, coffee and petit fors £42.50”. When I booked I was given a room rate and then £35.00 for dinner, so I naturally assumed that this would include a three course dinner, so was a bit confused. As if we had to pay extra for another course, I would not have been happy. I even asked the Receptionist and said about the courses, but she did not really clarify. We did however go for the three courses and waited for the problem in the morning. There were also supplement for a couple of the dishes, wich again I feel for the price should not have been charged extra for. When we came to check out in the morning, we did not have to pay any extra for the extra course, but the £7.00 supplement for Steve wanting the fillet steak was charged for. As the restaurant is open to non residents, then the menu price was obviously for them, but I feel that a separate menu should have been given to residents to confirm exactly what they were getting.

We also had to order before 6.00 p.m. and not actually sat at the table. However the food was very good, and I have to say that the main meals were of a good portion size.

The breakfast again, was very good, although again the menu was a little confusing.

Overall, we enjoyed our stay, but it would have been extra special if perhaps they had added a little personal touch in relation to our Wedding Anniversary, as this was mentioned when I booked. It is the little touches that stand out.

Would I recommend it? Yes I would. Would I go back? Maybe, one day in the future for a special occasion, but would have to do a lot of saving!!