The Barnstaple Hotel

We came for a Valentine ball with 300 people, and everything ran smoothly. With a crowd that size, I expected waits, but we didn’t have any. Thanks to the management, waiting staff, kitchen team and cleaners. The staff, many of them young men, were always smiling and checking if we needed anything. Our pool-view room was very clean, and the bed was so comfortable I nearly skipped breakfast. Glad I got up, though: the plates were piping hot and the cooked breakfast was lovely. Dinner was fabulous too, with beef so tender it was like eating steak. Everything was perfect.

I had a lovely stay in North Devon. The hotel felt welcoming, the staff were great, the swimming was good even though it was chilly outside, and the breakfast team couldn’t do enough for us. As a disabled guest, I was disappointed by the parking. There were only two disabled spaces at the front, and perhaps three or four in total out of roughly 60-70 spaces. People parked there without a blue badge several times, including people from across by the bowling alley and Burger King, and some who were eating Burger King in their cars. I mentioned it, but it kept happening. With limited mobility, this was difficult. I hope management adds more spaces and signs to discourage misuse.

The outside may not look particularly impressive, but inside The Barnstaple Hotel is clean and modern, with rooms finished to a good standard. We stayed one night after a work Christmas party. Our standard room was comfortable and very clean, and the shower was excellent. It had a small fridge, tea and coffee facilities, a separate fan and air conditioning unit, and plenty of sockets, including one with built-in USB charging. The TV worked well and had good features. There’s a gym and indoor and outdoor pools, though we didn’t use them. Parking is free if you register your vehicle at check-in. If you’re able-bodied, the town centre is an easy walk, about ten minutes at a normal pace along a straightforward route.

I booked at short notice, so once the money had been taken I couldn’t cancel without losing it. Only then did a Booking.com email tell me that my chosen Saturday was a party night. Nothing on the hotel website or Booking.com had mentioned this beforehand. The email said there’d be no food other than room service from 6-7pm and that most facilities would be unavailable. The party was loud, with music throughout the building until around midnight. People kept coming and going outside my room much later. It was unfair not to disclose the event earlier and give guests the facts they need to decide. Other hotels handle this better.