The Royal Hotel

The room was large and spacious, with lovely furnishings. I liked the tea and coffee selection, especially the coffee bags, a nice touch for a decent morning drink. A bottle of water in the room would have been a good addition. Dinner was a hit: I had the Caesar salad, and the chicken was excellent. It’s a simple dish that can be hit or miss, but the light, well-seasoned croutons helped make it work. Breakfast was cooked to order, and I enjoyed the scrambled eggs, avocado and smoked salmon. I arrived around 7pm, parked across the street, and got a warm welcome when I checked in. They kindly arranged dinner and breakfast for me when I asked about availability. I’d absolutely stay here again.

Everyone was so friendly and helpful, and my breakfast was the best hotel breakfast I’ve ever had, and I’ve had a lot! The rooms were wonderful, as was the Christmas tree. The Royal Hotel feels very different from the big chains I usually stay in. The service was personal, and I genuinely felt like a valued guest. Thank you!

Our waitress deserves real credit for how she dealt with things. She was apologetic and professional, and made sure we were compensated, which we appreciated. The meal had a few issues, but the treacle tart was the worst of it. It seemed like nobody had taste-tested it before putting it on the menu, and I think every diner sent theirs back. Christmas lunch on Wednesday, 10th December was a letdown. The Royal usually gets things much more right, so I hope this was just a one-off.

My request for a quiet room was met, and they upgraded my single booking to a nice double. The service was excellent. It’s a lovely historic place in Bideford, by the bridge on Tarringe and about a six-minute walk from Laundy island boat. I’d definitely stay again.