The best hotels in Devon, according to an editor who holidays there every year
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Stop your search for the best hotels in Devon, because I’ve got you covered. For many, Cornwall might be the most obvious seaside spot for a coastal escape down south, but as far as I'm concerned nothing beats the charm of Devon. I’m talking cream teas (cream then jam, FYI – don’t come at me), turquoise summer waters, beautiful national parks and quaint fishing villages.
My maternal family is from neighbouring Somerset, so I spent many happy summers in nearby Devon as a child, and these days I holiday there at least once a year – since my in-laws live in up-and-coming Exmouth (a picturesque seaside town that offers a low-key alternative to the likes of Salcombe, in case you’re wondering).
Devon is one of the best options out there for a UK stay, if you ask me. From city to coast, Devon is giving range – whether it’s Exeter’s eclectic vibes or ultra-charming Brixham, where you can guarantee some of the best fish and chips of your life.
What is the best part of Devon to stay in?
Now that’s a toughie. I’m particularly familiar with South East Devon, where the rugged Jurassic Coast pulls me every year, but of course there are plenty of other stunning spots to be explored, such as the beautiful Dartmoor landscape or bustling Salcombe. Here, I’ve narrowed down my top destinations in Devon – in no particular order – with a small summary as to where you'll find them and what they're best for.
- Dartmouth – Best for: pretty coves and independent shops. Located: South Devon
- Salcombe – Best for: golden sands and coastal paths. Located: South Devon
- Exmouth – Best for: watersports and historic landscapes. Located: South East Devon
- Bideford – Best for: its artisan market and ancient fishing villages. Located: North Devon
- Woolacombe – Best for: award-winning beaches and surfing. Located: North Devon
How we chose the best hotels in Devon:
Having spent many summers there throughout my life, I’m pretty clued up on which hotels in Devon are the best, as well as their surrounding areas. Some of these hotels are options that GLAMOUR editors have stayed in personally, as well as those that have been chosen based on reviews and feedback.
While compiling this round-up, I looked at things like catering, room size, amenities, and location into consideration, as well as noting if the hotel has a spa and rooms with sea views. I've included a mixture of luxury properties, boutique hotels and lesser-known boltholes – so you'll definitely find what you're looking for here.
Below: 8 best hotels in Devon to book for a 2024 trip
RinkooLympstone Manor, Exmouth
Star rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Best for: Fine dining and plush bedrooms.
Price per night: From £495 per night
Why we love it: If a beautifully-renovated historic country house with sea views sounds like heaven to you, you’ll be right at home at Lympstone Manor. For a truly luxurious stay in South East Devon, this hotel has it all – from a chic outdoor pool space to a Michelin-star restaurant courtesy of celebrated chef Michael Caines.
Rooms are suitably five-star in feel, with luxe details and pretty views from every angle. For an extra memorable night’s rest, the hotel’s swanky suites offer private gardens and terrace areas – with hot tubs and fire pits overlooking Exmouth’s beautiful estuary.
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Harbour Beach Club Hotel & Spa, Salcombe
Star rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Best for: Seaside-chic decor and beach yoga
Price per night: From £205 per night
Why we love it: “If you don't fancy following the masses to the centre of Salcombe, I couldn’t recommend the Harbour Beach Club Hotel and Spa enough. It sits right on the quieter South Sands Beach, and is a ten-minute ferry ride across into the town.
But pretty Salcombe aside, the hotel is a destination in itself. If budget allows, book a sea view room – nothing beats the sound of the sea with your morning coffee. The interiors throughout are seaside-chic with vintage-feel artwork and soft splashes of colour against a neutral beachy canvas. For anyone wanting to lean into the relaxing surroundings, I recommend booking the hotel's complimentary beach yoga. An hour with the hotel's resident yogi Jade is worth rolling out of bed and onto the beach for. The session caters to all levels so is a laidback way to ease into the day, before heading to the restaurant for a continental or hot breakfast. I followed this with some time in the spa (heaven) – but taking in the view from the hotel's terrace is just as relaxing.
If you're keen to amp up the adventure, you can book onto wild sea swimming lessons with adventure wellness brand Wild Beings, complimentary water sports lessons, paddle boarding or paddle board yoga, kayaking and guided seal walks.
Come evening, sit on the hotel’s terrace with a spicy strawberry margarita, before dinner at the in-house restaurant. Of course, Salcombe has plenty of foodie places to try, just remember to book ahead. And if you don’t, there’s always the hotel’s excellent room service. Seafood linguine straight to your door – what could be better?” – review by Hattie Cotmore, GLAMOUR’s Associate Visuals Editor.
Gara Rock Hotel & Spa, near Salcombe
Star rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Best for: Panoramic sea views and beachy-boho rooms.
Price per night: From £220 per night
Why we love it: This sweet spot just outside of Salcombe offers pretty much everything – from spa treatments to indoor and outdoor swimming pools, two eateries and even an on-site cinema. And for those that are craving a true seaside escape, Gara Rock’s rustic rooms are right on brief, with coastal stripe details and raw textures reflecting their rugged surroundings. If an ocean view is non-negotiable, this is where you need to be.
Gara Rock is a little off the beaten track on the South West Coastal path, giving it its clifftop feel and those amazing sea views. It’s a ten-minute walk down to the beautiful local beach, while busy Salcombe is a short ferry crossing away.
The Pig at Combe, Honiton
Star rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Best for: Cosy interiors and countryside views.
Price per night: From £285 per night
Why we love it: If you’re familiar with The Pig hotels, you’ll know they all offer luxe-yet-cosy vibes, and this converted country house is no different. Set amidst grassy green countryside in the market town of Honiton, you might find you don’t want to leave – since there are plenty of beautiful grounds to explore as well as two restaurants, treatment rooms and lots of spots to sit and take in the sprawling views (or a sunset or two). Each room is unique with suitably kooky details – from converted stables to kitted-out riverside stream wagons, where you can fall asleep to the sound of babbling water.
The nearest seaside town is pretty Sidmouth, which is just a 20 minute-drive away, though if you prefer to stay local there’s plenty of beautiful walks on the doorstep. Or spend a day exploring Honiton, a pretty market town with plenty of antique shops and cute cafés.
Watersmeet Hotel, Woolacombe
Star rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Best for: Outdoor pool, coastal location
Price per night: From £350 per night
Why we love it: If you’re after a Devon hotel that ticks all the boxes, this just might be the ticket – since the Watersmeet Hotel offers everything from spa treatments to a restaurant with epic sea views, an outdoor and indoor pool and rooms with balconies overlooking the ocean. Dinner – or cream tea – at The Rocks restaurant, with panoramic views of the coast, is unforgettable.
Plus, the local Combesgate Beach (one of the more secluded beaches in Devon) is within quick access via some steps, and is the perfect spot for strolling and taking in a sunset. Heaven.
The Collective at Woolsery, Bideford
Star rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Best for: Elevated British cuisine and retro-inspired boutique rooms.
Price per night: From £275 per night
Why we love it: This is a pub-with-rooms with plenty of style, and ideal if you prefer a low-key stay. Found in the quaint village of Woolsery in North Devon, The Collective offers a collection of colourful rooms and converted cottages alongside its acclaimed pub, The Farmer’s Arms (where the food looks suitably epic).
Each accommodation is infused with The Collective’s quaint retro charm – from vintage-inspired velvet fabrics to original Art Deco furniture pieces. For a self-catering stay, there’s also a trio of cottages with soft, rustic interiors that would make the perfect base for a longer holiday.
Glebe House, near Colyton
Star rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Best for: Artfully maximalist interiors and farm-to-table dining.
Price per night: From £153
Why we love it: Another wonderful boutique hotel in Devon is the chic-yet-homely Glebe House, which offers a handful of design-led rooms and an acclaimed restaurant run by owner and chef Hugo Guest, whose rustic food is heavily influenced by his time in Italy. In fact, food is at the heart of any stay at Glebe House, where an extensive farmhouse breakfast is included in all room rates. You can even order a beautifully-prepared picnic for a walk on the nearby coastal path.
As for the rooms, each is colourful and distinctive, with ample en-suites. There’s even a large outdoor pool nestled amongst the surrounding fields – open during the warmer months. It’s dog-friendly, too.
The Red Lion at Clovelly, Torridge
Star rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Best for: Quaint harbour surroundings, sea views
Price per night: From £179 per night
Why we love it: Clovelly is a particularly charming village in the Torridge district of Devon, on the pretty north coast – in summer, its glorious turquoise waters and white-washed buildings look extra beautiful against its leafy cliff backdrop.
It’s also home to the historic Red Lion pub and hotel, an 18th century inn that has been renovated with quaint English interiors (think squishy patterned quilts and exposed beams) – where every room has a sea view, no less. There’s a choice of classic doubles or more suites in the hotel’s separate Sail Loft, which claim to have the ‘best views going’.
Of course, the characterful accompanying pub is a must for trying a local cider, while The Red Lion’s Harbour restaurant serves the famous Clovelly lobsters, too – a must for seafood lovers.
