On arrival we were warmly greeted by the Receptionist, Margaret, and we had help taking our luggage to our room. The Royal is a traditional old style hotel and some lovely old style architecture, but the decor did not feel dated. We had a standard room with massive comfy bed and large screen TV, and a modern and functional en suite shower room. We had a comfy lounge chair and a dining chair. Our room was at the back of the hotel overlooking the Tarka Trail and houses beyond. Very quiet and just what we needed for a 4 night stay visiting friends in the area. We had dinner in the hotel's Bistro and can highly recommend it - the Cajun Chicken was gorgeous!

Breakfast good but limited choice. Loved the upstairs TV lounge with elaborate ceiling and oak labelling like an exclusive gentleman's club and great views over the river. Like the historical connections displayed. Though there are no grounds, the hotel backs onto the start of the Tarka Trail (ideal for dog walking) and a railway museum.

Only one bedside table. No indicate of the access to the Tarka Trail which I discover by accident by being intrigued by a nearby lane called Embury's Drang! More could be made of making people aware of these assets and perhaps giving access directly by a door which opens directly onto these sites.

The room was very comfortable (although a little old-fashioned) and even though it was a single bed, it was very comfortable. For a single room, it was a decent size with a good-sized bathroom and wardrobe too. I liked the fact there was a lift and also a resident's lounge. I had a superb dinner there the night that I arrived and then I booked breakfast on the strength of that, which was also very good. The staff were helpful and there was a nice relaxed atmosphere to the place.

The window could only be opened a tiny bit and it was very hot on arrival. Tiles around the shower tray were cracked and had clearly been like that for a while. I reported it when I left, I would hope they would take action quickly as I didn't feel that was acceptable (they were on the step where you put your foot to get into the shower) and let down the quality of the facilities which were otherwise very good.

Beautiful old classic hotel in great location just across the bridge from Bideford town centre. Very friendly, welcoming and attentive reception staff. Comfortable room overlooking the Tarka Trail and the hotel's former private station platform. Good supply of tea, coffee, hot chocolate and biscuits in room. Bed superb. Slept like a log. Reasonable breakfast.

Bathroom: broken tiles had not been replaced but missing bits just filled with grout. Sealant around bath had shrunk so there was a gap all along the bath top and the tiles. Hook on back of bathroom door very loose. Minor details but the hotel does brand itself as a luxury hotel so would expect there to be a greater attention to detail. Breakfast: plenty of cereals, prunes, fruit salad, grapefruit etc. DIY buffet (although menu suggested everything would be served to your table....that didn't happen). Toast or croissants. No evidence of any other pastries. No evidence of any meats, cheese, salads that one would expect with a continental breakfast.

Room was clean, easily accessible but could be a bit noisy because it is next to a main road, luckily the road is only really busy at peak times and has very little traffic at night and in the late evening. Breakfast was an additional expenditure, quite expensive at £16.50 (oddly the half breakfast was equally priced with the full breakfast) and table service could have been better. The bed was comfortable and we had a good night's sleep.

We couldn't have breakfast at the table we wanted because "we have laid it out for lunch" - this actually being four sets of cutlery. Also, where it says things were to be "served at the table" this actually meant that you had to serve yourself at the table, otherwise it was fine.

A very enjoyable experience from check in to check out. I was delighted to be upgraded from my single room to a lovely bigger room. A very nice surprise after a long plane and journey train journey. The room was beautifully furnished in a charming country feel. The bed was comfortable as with the pillows. I was thrilled that there was a bath as well as I love to have a shower in the morning and a bath at night. It’s as if this room was just made for me. All of the staff from reception to bar to restaurant were helpful and well trained, offering friendly service. A beautiful hotel with a very interesting history and a perfectly located. I will most certainly be returning to stay at this hotel when I visit my brother again .

The lift was a wee bit funny.

Love the character of the hotel with lots of history beautifully designed staff very helpful and friendly could not do enough for you Very clean and well equipped plenty of towels and very nice toiletries Very nice breakfast with wonderful staff attend attending

We were in a roadside room, which was very noisy as it’s on a busy junction not photo of the hotel, but nevertheless it in binge our sleep Mattress on the bed for us was too hard, but we know how difficult it is to please everybody all the time with mattresses

We stayed in Room 207 in the centre of the building - a ‘cosy double.’ It was comfortably furnished with upholstered chairs, plenty of storage, a large TV and a wide desk. The shower room was compact, though. The hotel car park was just across the road, and the Tarka Trail could be accessed immediately behind the hotel. Breakfast was good with plenty of choice - it’s better to book a B&B room, rather than to pay for breakfast on the day. The receptionist who welcomed us at just gone 9pm was on duty at 8am the following morning when I went down for breakfast - she was courteous, efficient and helpful. Dog friendly, although the £20 charge is a little high.

It was nice to be given a free upgrade, though the “better” room was actually smaller than the usual cheaper one. Unfortunately there was decorating going on in the corridor and a strong smell of paint in the room. The lovely lady on reception promptly moved us to a different, large room which we really appreciated. Our evening meal was good, and the staff serving us helpful and friendly. The hotel is extremely convenient when travelling to and from Lundy, has a car park and is a short walk across the old bridge into the town.

Nothing.

stayed at The Royal in Bideford as part of a cycling trip along the Tarka Trail. The hotel is ideally located for trail users, and overall, we had a great experience. Margaret at reception was very helpful, and all the staff were genuinely lovely—friendly, welcoming, and eager to assist. The breakfast was excellent, with a good selection and high quality. Overall, a warm and enjoyable stay in a charming hotel—would definitely recommend to others exploring the area by bike.

All good.