Drawn in by its golden beaches and wild moors, Devon is where I’ve made my home in recent years. But even though I live in the southwest, Devon is such a vast county that I always find myself on the road here, staying in shepherd’s huts and seafront hotels before hiking coastal paths and climbing Tors.
Sometimes, I just love a good spa weekend too, and luckily, there’s no shortage of luxury hotels in Devon. Spend the weekend hiking in Dartmoor National Park and you can retire to the comforts of an Elizabethan manor house in the evening. Enjoy Michelin-star dining at five-star hotels, or opt for a quirky pub in a quaint market town!
With so many things to see and do in Devon, you’ll want a nice hotel room to rest up in at the end of a long day. Luckily, there are many incredible places to stay in Devon. So many, in fact, that you may have a hard time deciding on one. So, I’ve created a list of the 10 best hotels in Devon to make your trip an unforgettable one!
- Short on time and don’t want to read the whole article? Here are my top 3 picks!
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Where to Stay in Devon
Devon is one of the largest counties in the UK, but it’s also one of the most sparsely populated, with huge swathes of rugged coastline and dramatic moors that make for the perfect escape.
If you’re looking for a classic seaside getaway, then the English Riviera is the perfect destination, with new spa hotels and luxury resorts revitalizing a faded Victorian seafront. In North Devon, Woolacombe has one of the best beaches in England, while Burgh Island on the south coast is home to an art deco hotel once frequented by Agatha Christie.
And away from the coast, you can find secluded riverside stays near Tavistock and in Totnes, while Dartmoor National Park has a number of luxurious country homes – surprising really, given the remote nature of the area.
Here are the best places to stay in Devon!
The 10 Best Luxury Hotels in Devon, England
1. Boringdon Hall Hotel and Spa
Hidden away in Plympton, an unassuming suburb of Plymouth, Boringdon Hall Hotel and Spa could just be one of the best 5-star hotels in Devon. This property is set within the historic halls of a 16th-century Elizabethan manor house, with an exalted history to match its modern luxuries.
A cast of English heroes have graced the timber-framed hallways, including Sir Francis Drake, and as legend has it, Queen Elizabeth I herself. Much of this past has been preserved in the decor, but rooms are still decidedly modern, with plush beds and luxury toiletries.
The Mayflower Brasserie serves a roaring Full English Breakfast, and if you’d like a drink in private, ask the staff to show you where the secret bar is (hint: look behind the bookcase).
The Acleaf Restaurant, arrayed on the wooden balcony above the bar, is Devon’s latest Michelin-star restaurant, while the hotel’s spa is home to an indoor swimming pool, heated outdoor hot tub, and an impressive range of saunas, steam rooms, and a tepidarium.
2. Hotel Endsleigh
Situated on the Devon bank of the River Tamar – the great waterway that divides the county from neighboring Cornwall – Hotel Endsleigh is surrounded by 100 acres of beautifully secluded gardens landscaped by Humphrey Repton, an 18th-century gardener beloved by the aristocracy of the day.
Perfectly secluded, Hotel Endsleigh was the hunting lodge of the Duke of Bedfordshire, who by all accounts was one of the wealthiest men in England. The limelight was stolen by Lady Georgina Cavendish, his erstwhile wife and ancestor of Winston Churchill and Princess Diana, who was notorious for the affairs and lavish parties that took place in the lodge.
Today, this Devon luxury hotel is every bit as exclusive as it once was, with just 21 lavish rooms, including the magnificent Lady Olga Suite – complete with a wood-burning stove, roll-top bathtub, and king-size bed – and Suite 20, which has a curious layout of sloping ceilings held up by thick oaken beams.
Enjoy a breakfast of kippers brought in fresh from Devon’s fishing harbors, gorge on Devon cream teas in the garden, and dine on hand-dived scallops and wild mushroom risotto in a dining room overlooking the River Tamar.
3. Bovey Castle
One of the best Devon hotels, book a room at Bovey Castle, and you’re surrounded by the wild landscapes of Dartmoor National Park. Spend long days hiking to Tors, or take a more relaxed approach and enjoy a round of golf at the hotel.
Either way, there are 60 luxurious rooms for you to choose from. Castle Rooms offer cozy views of the courtyard, while Valley Rooms provide sweeping panoramas of Dartmoor. King-size beds, Temple Spa toiletries, and watercolor paintings add to the allure, while the private, luxury lodges are perfect for families or those looking to escape the outside world.
A champagne afternoon tea is presented on the castle terrace, Devonshire steaks and fish and chips are served at the Great Western Grill, and small plates and tapas are enjoyed at Smith’s Brasserie. The highlight of a stay at Bovey Castle is the Elan Spa, featuring a gorgeous indoor swimming pool, whirlpools, sauna, and steam rooms to help you unwind after a day on the moors.
4. Lympstone Manor Hotel
One of my favorite 5-star hotels in Devon is just a short walk from where I live in the beachside town of Exmouth (where you’ll love the two or so miles of white sands lining the seafront!). Lympstone Manor is a Relais & Chateaux property, offering sweeping views of the Exe Estuary from its 21 luxury suites and six rustic Shepherds Huts.
The property is run by local celebrity chef Michael Caines, who’s established a vineyard on the grounds. He cooks up a seasonal menu at the Lympstone Manor Restaurant and offers a more casual service at the Pool House Restaurant and Bar, which is set by the hotel’s heated outdoor swimming pool.
5. Burgh Island Hotel
Located on a private tidal island between Plymouth and Salcombe, Burgh Island Hotel is one of the coolest places to stay in Devon.
The Burgh Island Hotel is an Art Deco extravaganza dating back to 1929. Designed during the roaring heydays of the interwar period, the Art Deco interiors have been magnificently preserved, and you can take a step back in time and listen to live jazz music with a highball cocktail in hand every evening.
Surrounded by miles of white sand beaches, Art Deco rooms provide glistening views of the English Channel. You can even stay in Agatha Christie’s Beach House, which was built as a secluded retreat for the writer, while other rooms were stayed in by socialites of the day, including Nancy Cunard, a friend of Wallis Simpson.
When the tide is out, you can cross the causeway on foot, but if not, the unique Burgh Island Tractor provides a fun link to the mainland!
6. The Bull Inn
One of the best Devon hotels is The Bull Inn, a quirky pub situated in the heart of Totnes, right by the banks of the River Dart. Describing itself as an “ethical pub,” The Bull Inn serves a scrumptious array of organic dishes, with a seasonal menu that’s sustainably sourced.
Vegetables are prioritized here, and all ingredients are sourced from as close to Totnes as possible, with swede cake, roasted celeriac, and locally caught hake often featured.
There are just nine rooms and one apartment at The Bull Inn, featuring super king beds, vintage fabrics, and antique furnishings bought from the local shops.
7. Cary Arms & Spa
Overlooking the English Channel on the shores of Babbacombe Bay, the Cary Arms & Spa is breathing new life into the Victorian seafront of Torquay’s English Riviera.
Combining the traditions of a historic English pub with all the luxuries of a modern spa hotel, this is one of the coolest boutique hotels in Devon. Choose from a seafront room, a refurbished fisherman’s hut, or, best of all, a luxury beach hut.
The gastro pub serves searing cuts of Devon beef and freshly caught Lyme Bay lobster, while the spa features a hydrotherapy pool, sauna, steam room, and relaxation area with blistering views of the sea.
8. Gidleigh Park
With a mock Tudor facade overlooking the River Teign, the luxury rooms at Gidleigh Park are somewhat out of place (but very much welcome!) on the wild moors of Dartmoor National Park.
Surrounded by 107 acres of landscaped grounds, this spectacular luxury hotel in Devon draws on its country heritage with antique furnishings and period decor. Facilities are marvelously up-to-date though, with a state-of-the-art spa, 18-hole golf course, and luxury suites featuring marble bathrooms and king-size beds.
Michelin-starred chef Chris Eden runs the restaurant, where a seasonal menu draws ingredients from the kitchen garden. Partridge, scallops, turbot, and lamb are served for dinner, and you can even order a luxury hamper of salmon and charcuterie to take with you on the moors!
9. Watersmeet Hotel
Stay by the golden sands of Woolacombe (in my opinion, the best beach in North Devon, if not the whole of England) when you book a luxury room at the Watersmeet Hotel.
Take the hotel’s private steps down to the beach for a salty dip in the sea. If you prefer freshwater, then the Watersmeet Hotel also has an indoor and outdoor swimming pool for guests.
The Rocks Restaurant has been awarded 2AA Rosettes for a menu featuring filet of cod and confit pork belly, while the best rooms offer sea views, pocket-sprung mattresses, and memory foam pillows. There’s a reason this place is widely hailed as one of the most coveted places to stay in Devon.
10. Harbour Hotel Salcombe
The Harbour Hotel Salcombe is an incredible luxury hotel in Devon. Overlooking Salcombe’s glorious estuary, this four-star resort brings a slice of the Med to southwest England, with poolside cabanas and a rooftop bar.
Enjoy a complimentary Salcombe Gin on the balcony of your nautically-themed room, then head to the HarSpa for a dip in the hydrotherapy pool or a sweaty session in the sauna.
