Perched on top of the spectacular cliffs of the North Devon Coast, the Saunton Sands Hotel can’t help but beckon those in search of a luxury seaside staycation – and with views like these, who wouldn’t want to check in for a night or two of rest and relaxation?
Overlooking Saunton Sands beach – which just so happens to be one of the best in the UK – it has become a popular choice for well-heeled couples and families alike, offering lavish accommodation, a host of plush facilities, and decadent dining options for all the ingredients needed for a memorable stay.
So needless to say, I was pleased to find myself checking in for a weekend of rest and relaxation earlier this month – and it certainly didn’t disappoint.
Hotel
An art-deco style hotel that enjoys an unequivocally privileged location, the Saunton Sands Hotel overlooks an impressive four miles of sweeping sands and unspoilt dune. Braunton Burrows – this vast dune system – is a part of the North Devon Unesco Biosphere Reserve, and if you’re seeking some of the very best coastal views in the UK, then they really don’t get much better than this.
The hotel was originally designed to look like a cruise liner, first opening its doors in the early 1930s by the Christie family, who built Glyndebourne at a similar time. The Brend family later purchased the hotel back in 1977, and it’s now a flagship hotel in the luxury hotel group, having since undergone an impressive refurb with the addition of the new spa.
An ideal retreat for couples and families looking for a traditional seaside getaway with a little added luxury thrown into the mix, the hotel will certainly appeal to those who can’t get enough of old-school grandeur, and is is a real showcase for bold, bright geometric carpets, glittering mirrors, gold accents and huge, show-stopping chandeliers.
Service is where the hotel really excels. Saunton Sands knows what it does best and sticks with it, which means friendly and attentive staff and the kind of traditional hotel service we know and love. It’s old school, but done exceedingly well, making every element of a stay here a pleasure, and their chattiness and humour is quite the tonic. The smartly dressed and approachable doormen are a real asset, and certainly make a nice change from the awkwardly attentive doormen often present at other luxury hotels!
Waiting staff at dinner are a little more formal, but this works well considering the grander setting – more on that later, when we get into the food and drink.
Rooms and suites
The hotel is home to 77 stylishly decorated rooms and suites in total, as well as 11 sophisticated (and dog-friendly!) self-catering apartments, which means there’s plenty of choice depending on who you’re travelling with and what type of getaway you have in mind.
Many of the rooms offer stunning ocean views, which are undoubtedly a highlight, and also feature plush and comfortable beds, so that you can be certain of a good night’s sleep. With the soundtrack of the waves lapping the shore on the beach below, there’s no better way to drift off, and the cosy bedding and comfortable pillows mean the only problem you might have with the whole set-up is getting yourself up and out in the morning.
The decor itself is fairly generic, but all rooms feature en-suite bathrooms and come with a host of handy amenities, including free WiFi, an LDC TV with Sky Sports and Freeview, plus a Nespresso machine to ensure you can get that all important caffeine hit first thing in the morning without having to head downstairs. Extra luxuries like the selection of fragrant toiletries, a soft, fluffy bathrobe and matching slippers, mean that every element of your stay feels like a treat and that you’re being thoroughly looked after in every way.
The white tiled bathroom was a little bland but perfectly functional. Overall, rooms do somewhat lack the personal touches of a boutique bed and breakfast, but for a fairly sizeable hotel, they are comfortable and offer everything you’ll need for an enjoyable stay.
If you’re travelling with family or simply prefer to have plenty of space to spread out in during your getaways then opting for an apartment is a great choice. If you’re feeling extravagant, then be sure to check in at The Penthouse or the 180° South, where you can enjoy the freedom of a self-catering stay, with your own private kitchen and living space, without compromising on luxury. You can still use all of the hotel’s facilities whilst holing up in a space that sleeps between four and eight, depending on how many of you there are in your group. It’s a great solution if you’re travelling with kids and want to bring their toys along, as well as if you enjoy dining together as a family in complete privacy – and is also a romantic choice for couples who want their own space (choose an apartment with a balcony and beach view to really up the ante).
Food and drink
If you’re a foodie, then you’ll be glad to know that the hotel is home to some excellent dining options of its own, so if you’re planning an autumn break and don’t fancy heading out in the rain and wind to seek out a restaurant for dinner, then you’re in luck!
The Dining Room – which holds two AA Rosettes – is rather a grand affair, and is headed up by head chef Mathias Oberg, whose CV includes many appointments in Michelin-starred kitchens across the globe, so you know before you even sit down that you’re in good hands. The restaurant’s mouth-watering fine dining menu is based around only the finest and freshest local, seasonal produce, and you can enjoy dishes like the seared scallops with lemon gel, broad beans, candied peanut crumb and confit lemon zest for starter; the half lobster in thermidor butter for main and the decadent chocolate panna cotta for dessert whilst taking in stunning views down over the UNESCO dunes and beach below.
Breakfast is also served here in this expansive space, comprising an impressive buffer selection covering everything from West Country sausages, grilled back bacon, mushrooms and hash browns – along with poached eggs, which can be cooked to order – and all the usual continental offerings you’d expect, including fresh fruit, cereals and pastries.
And the hotel offers a decadent afternoon tea menu here for quintessentially British treat, comprising a selection of tasty finger sandwiches, freshly baked scones with oodles of jam and cream, and a variety of other tempting cakes and pastries – all washed down with a choice of luxurious teas from around the world.
Down at the Beachside Grill, meanwhile, it’s a more casual and family-orientated option whilst still focusing on quality ingredients. In the summer, enjoying a leisurely lunch or dinner outside on the terrace is a thoroughly enjoyable experience, but it’s not quite the same experience in the autumn and winter. Nevertheless, dishes like steak grilled over open flames, gourmet burgers, charred beef salad, jumbo shrimp open flame grilled sandwiches and seafood linguine still promise to go down a treat.
Fancy a drink? Then the bar area, which has recently undergone something of a refresh, is the place to be, and offers a great selection of wines, cocktails and other favourites that you can relax with in a cosy alcove. Think plush velvet sofas and plenty of plants and foliage to bring a little bit of life into the space – it feels modern, relaxing, and the perfect place to hang out at any time of day.
To do
The hotel’s Source Spa and Wellness zone is, as you’d expect from an oceanfront resort, a haven of tranquility where you can fully relax and unwind, with facilities including a marine Thermal Suite with a floor-to-ceiling window overlooking the Atlantic ocean. There’s a wide selection of thoroughly pampering spa treatments to choose from, and a rooftop sun deck where during the warmer months, you can relax and enjoy those awe-inspiring views. There’s also a fitness centre, fully equipped with state-of-the-art machines and free weights, and a timetable of exercise classes that guests can book themselves in for throughout their stay.
The hotel is the perfect spot for watching storms, sunsets and surfers – although it can get a little windy up on the cliff at times. The Saunton Sands championship links golf course is next door, if you fancy playing a few holes, and nearby, there are plenty of beautiful coastal walks to enjoy. If you’re the watersports type then be sure to head down to the beach and catch some waves. The surf spot of Croyde is just under five miles away, and Braunton (just two and a half miles away) offers a good range of shops, cafes and restaurants.
The nearest train station is at Barnstaple, a 20-minute drive away.
In a nutshell
Expect old-school luxury and exemplary service at this beachside retreat. The jewel in the Brend Collection crown, the privileged location and breath-taking views will quite simply take your breath away. So if you’re in the mood for a memorable autumnal seaside getaway, then look no further.
Saunton Sands Hotel is a proud member of Food Drink Devon, a community interest company with a focus on quality, sustainability and provenance. It is committed to increasing the county’s profile, both nationally and internationally and represents a membership of Devon’s leading food and drink producers, retailers, hospitality venues and related businesses dedicated to serving up the best produce from the county. Food Drink Devon’s aim is to support and promote its members and raise Devon’s culinary profile as a whole. Look out for the green heart logo which is carried by over 350 producers and businesses across Devon.
Factbox
Double rooms from £198 in low season; and from £298 in high. Breakfast included. Free Wi-Fi. With full use of the facilities and an unbeatable coastal location, the sea view rooms are certainly worth the extra few pounds.
Address: Saunton Rd, Braunton EX33 1LQ
Phone: 01271 890212
Website: sauntonsands.co.uk
All imagery credit: Saunton Sands Hotel
