This is possibly my favorite hotel, where I have stayed many times over the past 45 years. As an extensive global traveler for both business and pleasure, I can confidently say it ranks among the best. However, they need to improve their attention to detail in room servicing, especially in the restaurant. The location is undoubtedly the best, situated on the beach at South Sands, and it is both dog- and family-friendly, providing baskets of towels and blankets for four-legged friends. The restaurant and terrace invite you to take in the beauty of the South Hams. While the food offerings are not extensive, the quality is good; however, restaurant management and attention to small details have diminished since my previous visits. Perhaps the absence of a strong manager is contributing to this decline. The rooms are stylish, but we booked two rooms of the same standard, and while one was large, light, and lovely, the other, located in the eaves, was quite small and dark. So, be cautious about what you are allocated. During our three-night stay, we had to request water, which should have been provided in the room but was forgotten. Additionally, there was never a restock of tea and coffee, nor was there any type of milk available. That said, I love this hotel; simply sitting anywhere within it brings a smile to my face and warmth to my heart. Stay at South Sands; it could be perfect with just a few checks and minor improvements. Love is seldom perfect, but you will still adore this hotel.

A superb hotel. The view from the bar and restaurant is simply stunning, right on the beach looking across the mouth of the river and out towards the sea. Could be fooled by thinking it is on the Italian Riviera or off the coast of Croatia. The food was exceptional, always hot, freshly cooked and consistent throughout the week. The staff are well trained and have a wonderful sense of etiquette. Nothing was too much trouble. The hotel, in being in probably the most elite part of Devon, is not cheap but you get what you pay for. We wanted pure relaxation, a great spot and a place away from noise and the usual holidaymaker atmosphere (no disrespects to anyone) and indeed we got it.

Much like lots of places today, the hotel is dog friendly. This is the only downside for us, however the standards expected of clientele with canine accompaniment are very discerning. Special mats are provided for dogs to lay on in the public areas as are towels to use for wet weather or swimming situations. A couple of times dogs barked but to he honest all the applicanle residents had total control in preventing disturbance to other guests. The room was a bit on the small side compared to similar accommodation but this didn't pose an issue as we were out most of the day.

Wonderful stay at South Sands. We sampled the afternoon tea and had an evening meal in the restaurant, both were delicious. The views from the dining room couldn't possibly be beaten. Our room was better than we expected, we had a door which opened onto a pathway to the beach, we were able to sit in our beach chairs outside looking at the sea. We booked the cheaper Optimist room so we were surprised to get a sea view! Staff were excellent, even down to the lovely house keeping lady. Parking was easy, the carpark just over the road. It was secure with a keypad for entry and exit which gave you peace of mind. We are about to book another stay, it was that good!

It was perfect in every way, can't fault anything.

The location of the hotel is fantastic - step out of the door and you are immediately on a beautiful sandy beach (North Sands). It’s quiet and there are no local shops/restaurants (other than the hotel’s) but this was what we wanted. Beautiful walks on your doorstep. The tractor/boat to Salcombe was not running (unsure whether this was because of the weather or the fact that it is out of season - early November). The hotel is dog friendly. Parking is free - car park opposite hotel. The room (superior double) was a good size. No sea view sadly but a nice view of a tree. The bathroom was very large with a lovely bath and in-bath shower. Nice bath robes provided. The breakfast was lovely - plenty of choice - I had the full English (very good), my husband had mushrooms on sourdough toast. Full veggie English, Eggs Benedict and porridge also options. Lots of cereal, pastries and fruit as extras. The staff were friendly and laid back. They didn’t mind us borrowing wine glasses for the room. There was a useful little fridge in the room for snacks and wine….

The cleaners only hoovered our floor on one of our 3 nights. As we were coming in from the beach all the time, the flow was like a sandpit….. Other than this, the room was clean.

Location is stunning, restaurant is excellent, staff very nice

We've stayed here twice and both reviews would be glowing, however a slight taint... This is an expensive hotel, but is so because of the excellent location. We spent £650 for a room and restaurant bill for 1 night. We left a phone charger behind (our fault) but were a bit surprised to be charged to post it to us - that sort of falls in the "concierge" realm for other premium hotels, but hey, if that's policy, it's policy.

We loved the relaxed chilled atmosphere this hotel managed to deliver and certainly not at the expense of service. Almost every member of staff made you feel welcome and nothing was too much trouble. The location is perfect. Can either take the boat from the beach into Salcombe for £4.75 pp or do as we did take it one way and walk back the other. Beautiful walk into the town. Lovely outlook from the restaurant and the food breakfast lunch and dinner tremendous. High quality and full of flavour. We stayed in a standard room which was perfectly comfortable and spacious with a good sized bathroom. Spotlessly clean everywhere. In my opinion best hotel option in Salcombe will definitely return with our son, partner and their dog. Couldnt be anymore dog friendly.

For it to be absolutely perfect a deck with a few sun loungers would have been great.

Lovely breakfast really good choice and fabulous views of the sea! Excellent evening meal staff were very attentive Divine, comfy bed with views of the sea L’Occitane products in the room lovely touch Additional Little gift in our room for our anniversary Excellent location right on the beach

Although very nice, we felt it was very expensive and not necessarily value for money. The food was very good but again very expensive There were no tissues in the room Personally would have liked a hand held shower in addition to the rain shower The shower is a mains shower which means the temperature fluctuates! The useful fridge seems to switch on and off all night long which kept waking us up may have been better if it wasn’t in a cupboard right by the bed. No window which can be left open overnight it was too windy to leave the balcony doors open so the room was quite stuffy. Stain on the carpet - wouldn’t expect for the money we paid to stay

Location, ferry to town, friendliness of the friday night staff particularly.

The only thing I can think to report back on is a couple of points re the food. We were late eating on the Friday but we weren't offered dessert, we had to ask for it so I think it had all been put away and the cheese was very cold, and therefore not tasty and not put together particularly well. I had the vege breakfast on the saturday and the spinach was full of grit and the avocado not ripe. Other than that the food was lovely.

Lovely sized room with side sea view , all you would expect from the price and reviews

A lot of dogs , if you don’t like dogs don’t go there , it’s a dog friendly hotel , but there are a lot of dogs , left in rooms , so bark when you walk past , at breakfast lunch and dinner , if you have dog allergies, it’s not for you Don’t follow your satnav look at a map first as it’s single track roads , staff say satnavs always take you that way but you need to go on A381 main rd then Bennet rd then Brandon rd then cliff rd , will save you time and stress especially if you arrive in the dark , really needs putting on their info after booking

Lovely hotel in a fantastic location. All the staff we met were friendly and helpful. The food both at breakfast and dinner was good and very plentiful. Cosy bar with an open fire. Our room was spacious and warm with light from two large windows that had side views of the sea. Great location - walkable to Salcombe - takes about 40 minutes.

Although our room was very good, the bathroom did not match expectations. For example the bath taps could only be reached by stepping into the bath as the glass panel was fixed and could not be moved. Although the shower was good in terms of water quantity, it was hard to get the temperature right as it worked on a mixer tap rather than a thermostat. Our room was on the second floor of the hotel and as far away along the corridor as possible. There did not seem to be anyone else on that level so not sure why we were allocated a room so far away.