Dartington Hall Hotel

We spent a family weekend here before Christmas, and the Christmas Makers Fayre happening at the same time was a delight to browse for gift ideas. It’s a lovely old building in beautiful grounds, with comfortable en suite rooms. I also love that there’s a cinema in the barn!

The view from my window straight onto the courtyard was amazing, and the on-site pub was only a short walk away. The room itself was basic, but it had what we needed, the beds were comfortable, and the shower was very good. It was quite expensive, but we really enjoyed our stay.

The best part of the place was Euan, the manager in the pub. I came for my wedding excited and left feeling disappointed and embarrassed. The rooms were freezing and so dated that they made me feel like a Victorian child sleeping there. The organisers tried their best to book the event, but clearly didn’t know what they were doing. The organiser with black hair wasn’t very professional.

Our room was tiny and very basic, though clean. The building had a damp, fusty smell, and it took us a while to find our room on the first floor. Finding the accommodation in the first place was difficult because the signs weren’t obvious. We asked two pedestrians on the road where the hotel was before we eventually found it. Check-in was closed, so two staff members nearby sent us to the White Hart bar, where we were given an envelope with our key. We then had to search again for the rooms’ entrance. Nobody approached us while we were at the Hall, and no one had told us breakfast was included or where it was, in the White Hart bar area. For one night, the room felt poor value for the price.