We had dinner here on Friday 19 January 2024. Unfortunately, we came away really disappointed in respect of the food. The staff were friendly and helpful and the general atmosphere is pleasant, but the quality of the food relative to the cost is just wholly disproportionate, in our opinion. The menu is limited in our opinion. We resorted to having fish and chips and shepherd's pie. Overall, the food we had, in our opinion is comparable to what you would get in a pub chain such as the Hungry Hotse or at best Harvester say. This would be fine if the price point reflected that, but it does not. Unfortunately, we would not recommend and what not come back. You can go elsewhere and have a much better dining experience at this price point.
356abigailc
We were staying at the hotel as part of a deal so we had a 3 course meal as part of the deal. I had the squid and steak, my dad had the Parma ham and water melon and Cod, for the deal I thought it was a very good menu, usually I’ve had it where you have to pay a supplement for steak but this was all included. There was also an extensive drinks/wine list. The location and view from the restaurant meant we also had a lovely experience sitting looking out over the seafront of Sidmouth bay. And all the staff were so accommodating waitress Ellie, and Libby behind the bar and the restaurant Manager were all so attentive. We didn’t stay for Sunday lunch as we had to get back but a few people we met were raving about it so we will definitely try that next time.
Derek S
Menu is quite restricted and overpriced. We have visited on a couple of occasions previously and each time we go back we hope it has improved, but sad to say, it hasn't. The service from the staf is good but the menu and "specials" are very basic. What is on offer is often overpriced for the meals delivered. We certainly don't object to paying higher prices, but then you expect to get a better class of meal. For example £19 for a very basic Shepperds Pie without any vegatables (apart from a pot of peas) is a bit excessive. Hopefuly next time we go back the menu and pricing structure might have improved. but not to hopeful.
Natalie W
All the staff are really welcoming & Jamie the waiter is friendly & asked if every think is ok & all the chefs a good too the afternoon tea is amazing as always
Sean Lawless
Pretty good vegetarian options,great sea view and good serviceVegetarian options: Cheese soufflé and risotto were lovely as was the pear and Gorgonzola salad,
Adrienne H
We enjoyed our breakfasts, good choices. It was good to have such a good selection of fish for dinner and the side orders we had of green vegetables that we really enjoyed. However we were slightly disappointed with the desserts. Most of them were stodgy or boring but we did enjoy the chocolate fondant as it came with three raspberries and coulis! Panna Cotta, Creme Brûlée or Cheesecake would be a better choice for us, properly presented. We could have had a square of sticky toffee pudding with ice cream in the local pub.
FRAN T
The hotel was very good and welcoming. The rooms were far to hot at night to sleep, even with the windows and fan going. The first morning of our stay the breakfast was a little over cooked, eggs well done. I had to ask 3 times for gluten free toast. Tea and coffee was slow to arrive,then hot water was spilt on the floor by the young lad, as was left and not cleaned up. The evening restaurant was very good. The second morning at breakfast was much better. Over all a good stay.
martinpritchett154
Great place to dine with fabulous views along the sea front. Food really good and the staff were fantastic. Highly recommended.
Aiden F
I guess it is a retro thing but I thought serving prawn cocktail in a cut glass dish went out with the ark but never mind that as there are worse things to follow. The meal my wife was served was appalling - it just wasn't a nut roast just a very tiny collection of pressed mash potato with some veg. My meal was fine but the two plates of food were just not comparable - how any chef or kitchen staff allowed two plates of food to be served with one looking completely inadequate is beyond me. It was so bad that when the waiter put it on the table I thought it was some sort of prank. We complained at the time only for the manager to come to our table to discuss the matter while we were still eating. He said he would come back when we were fin
We love Sidmouth and this hotel, and have been many times. We have had cause to complain in the past and management have taken this onboard. However, we are disappointed to see that the restaurant is still not being managed and that the menu never changes? There is very little choice? Where is a risotto, a pasta dish or chicken? The steak is incredibly overpriced and only comes with a garnish. In fact everything, even breakfast come with the same watercress garnish!? It's extra for chips, veg or sauce with most dishes. The fish and chips were over salted and the whitebait was inedible. We stayed four nights and two of those we chose to eat out. We look forward to returning at Christmas but we are dreading the food. The set menu offers very little variety, dishes can arrive without bread, potatoes or veg. Last Christmas supper was a disappointing smorgasbord, most unusual. Please address your menu asap, any great chef would be welcoming the opportunity to bring new dishes to the table. By the way, the gratuity added to the bill is not compulsory, so don't feel obliged to pay £3 for a drink to be brought to your table.
Robin S
We were staying at the hotel so this review covers 2 dinners and 3 breakfasts, not one isolated experience. Splendid location with coastal views. Heatwave, 30°C. Asked restaurant manager for the ceiling fans to be turned on but told they didn’t work. Having complained earlier in the day about the fans and that, among other things, the cooked breakfast plate was swimming in grease and was more transport café than 4*, I’m fairly sure we were punished at dinner. No essay here, 55 min no starters, the computerised ordering system ‘lost’ them. Mains only, evening ruined, despite not having to pay for what we had to eat. Menu. Unless you order the fish & chips the mains come with next to nothing. All potato dishes come as an extra for £5 or 6. The lobster ‘special’, £32 for a (small) half lobster, no claw no tail, came with a bit of salad, meagre. Breakfast. No tongs for self-serve of croissants or rolls. Cooked- menu says ‘eggs’ but you get one. Seaside, no kippers? Lunch in bar. Waiter delivered my wife’s sandwich with salad then disappeared, leaving no napkin or utensils. 2 or 3 persons in particular stood out (for the wrong reasons), but generally this industry has a staffing problem and employ whoever they can get.
Rory Thomas
First thing we noticed as we sat down was how filthy the seating was. You weren’t exactly spoilt for choice on the menu. As for the fish and chips, the cod still had its skin on, and it tasted terribly sea-like/brine. Chips were basically greasy starch fingers. For dessert a hiccup on one of the desserts had us wait even longer than anticipated until it was chased up, which simultaneously compromised the state of the other desserts we ordered whilst they must’ve been left out on the side. Patience was thin so we just accepted the situation. Not recommended overall.
Kristi T
Beautiful views and lovely set up in the restaurant, attentive staff though had a few hiccups but a rather uninspiring menu and the quality was also not as great as I would have expected for the price. Even the bread selection was disappointing.. just some sliced bread rather than nice artisan type bread rolls etc. that you would expect in a nice restaurant. I'd go back for views but likely only for a drink..
John Legrys
Nice sea views, on a hill can see along sea front.Nice little town,with good coffee & cake shops plenty of benches.?
First visit, will come
We had dinner here on Friday 19 January 2024. Unfortunately, we came away really disappointed in respect of the food. The staff were friendly and helpful and the general atmosphere is pleasant, but the quality of the food relative to the cost is just wholly disproportionate, in our opinion. The menu is limited in our opinion. We resorted to having fish and chips and shepherd's pie. Overall, the food we had, in our opinion is comparable to what you would get in a pub chain such as the Hungry Hotse or at best Harvester say. This would be fine if the price point reflected that, but it does not. Unfortunately, we would not recommend and what not come back. You can go elsewhere and have a much better dining experience at this price point.
We were staying at the hotel as part of a deal so we had a 3 course meal as part of the deal. I had the squid and steak, my dad had the Parma ham and water melon and Cod, for the deal I thought it was a very good menu, usually I’ve had it where you have to pay a supplement for steak but this was all included. There was also an extensive drinks/wine list. The location and view from the restaurant meant we also had a lovely experience sitting looking out over the seafront of Sidmouth bay. And all the staff were so accommodating waitress Ellie, and Libby behind the bar and the restaurant Manager were all so attentive. We didn’t stay for Sunday lunch as we had to get back but a few people we met were raving about it so we will definitely try that next time.
Menu is quite restricted and overpriced. We have visited on a couple of occasions previously and each time we go back we hope it has improved, but sad to say, it hasn't. The service from the staf is good but the menu and "specials" are very basic. What is on offer is often overpriced for the meals delivered. We certainly don't object to paying higher prices, but then you expect to get a better class of meal. For example £19 for a very basic Shepperds Pie without any vegatables (apart from a pot of peas) is a bit excessive. Hopefuly next time we go back the menu and pricing structure might have improved. but not to hopeful.
All the staff are really welcoming & Jamie the waiter is friendly & asked if every think is ok & all the chefs a good too the afternoon tea is amazing as always
Pretty good vegetarian options,great sea view and good serviceVegetarian options: Cheese soufflé and risotto were lovely as was the pear and Gorgonzola salad,
We enjoyed our breakfasts, good choices. It was good to have such a good selection of fish for dinner and the side orders we had of green vegetables that we really enjoyed. However we were slightly disappointed with the desserts. Most of them were stodgy or boring but we did enjoy the chocolate fondant as it came with three raspberries and coulis! Panna Cotta, Creme Brûlée or Cheesecake would be a better choice for us, properly presented. We could have had a square of sticky toffee pudding with ice cream in the local pub.
The hotel was very good and welcoming. The rooms were far to hot at night to sleep, even with the windows and fan going. The first morning of our stay the breakfast was a little over cooked, eggs well done. I had to ask 3 times for gluten free toast. Tea and coffee was slow to arrive,then hot water was spilt on the floor by the young lad, as was left and not cleaned up. The evening restaurant was very good. The second morning at breakfast was much better. Over all a good stay.
Great place to dine with fabulous views along the sea front. Food really good and the staff were fantastic. Highly recommended.
I guess it is a retro thing but I thought serving prawn cocktail in a cut glass dish went out with the ark but never mind that as there are worse things to follow. The meal my wife was served was appalling - it just wasn't a nut roast just a very tiny collection of pressed mash potato with some veg. My meal was fine but the two plates of food were just not comparable - how any chef or kitchen staff allowed two plates of food to be served with one looking completely inadequate is beyond me. It was so bad that when the waiter put it on the table I thought it was some sort of prank. We complained at the time only for the manager to come to our table to discuss the matter while we were still eating. He said he would come back when we were fin
Restaurantji Recommends
We love Sidmouth and this hotel, and have been many times. We have had cause to complain in the past and management have taken this onboard. However, we are disappointed to see that the restaurant is still not being managed and that the menu never changes? There is very little choice? Where is a risotto, a pasta dish or chicken? The steak is incredibly overpriced and only comes with a garnish. In fact everything, even breakfast come with the same watercress garnish!? It's extra for chips, veg or sauce with most dishes. The fish and chips were over salted and the whitebait was inedible. We stayed four nights and two of those we chose to eat out. We look forward to returning at Christmas but we are dreading the food. The set menu offers very little variety, dishes can arrive without bread, potatoes or veg. Last Christmas supper was a disappointing smorgasbord, most unusual. Please address your menu asap, any great chef would be welcoming the opportunity to bring new dishes to the table. By the way, the gratuity added to the bill is not compulsory, so don't feel obliged to pay £3 for a drink to be brought to your table.
We were staying at the hotel so this review covers 2 dinners and 3 breakfasts, not one isolated experience. Splendid location with coastal views. Heatwave, 30°C. Asked restaurant manager for the ceiling fans to be turned on but told they didn’t work. Having complained earlier in the day about the fans and that, among other things, the cooked breakfast plate was swimming in grease and was more transport café than 4*, I’m fairly sure we were punished at dinner. No essay here, 55 min no starters, the computerised ordering system ‘lost’ them. Mains only, evening ruined, despite not having to pay for what we had to eat. Menu. Unless you order the fish & chips the mains come with next to nothing. All potato dishes come as an extra for £5 or 6. The lobster ‘special’, £32 for a (small) half lobster, no claw no tail, came with a bit of salad, meagre. Breakfast. No tongs for self-serve of croissants or rolls. Cooked- menu says ‘eggs’ but you get one. Seaside, no kippers? Lunch in bar. Waiter delivered my wife’s sandwich with salad then disappeared, leaving no napkin or utensils. 2 or 3 persons in particular stood out (for the wrong reasons), but generally this industry has a staffing problem and employ whoever they can get.
First thing we noticed as we sat down was how filthy the seating was. You weren’t exactly spoilt for choice on the menu. As for the fish and chips, the cod still had its skin on, and it tasted terribly sea-like/brine. Chips were basically greasy starch fingers. For dessert a hiccup on one of the desserts had us wait even longer than anticipated until it was chased up, which simultaneously compromised the state of the other desserts we ordered whilst they must’ve been left out on the side. Patience was thin so we just accepted the situation. Not recommended overall.
Beautiful views and lovely set up in the restaurant, attentive staff though had a few hiccups but a rather uninspiring menu and the quality was also not as great as I would have expected for the price. Even the bread selection was disappointing.. just some sliced bread rather than nice artisan type bread rolls etc. that you would expect in a nice restaurant. I'd go back for views but likely only for a drink..
Nice sea views, on a hill can see along sea front.Nice little town,with good coffee & cake shops plenty of benches.?