Dartmoor's Crown Jewel Awaits

“Good: The common areas are fab and it was all beautifully decorated for Christmas. The pool area is great and we really enjoyed our swim and chill on the loungers after a long drive. The food in the Great Western Grill was well presented and tasty. We got upgraded to a junior suite which was huge. The large bath was wonderful to relax in after dinner. Bad: Service was generally not as expected. I had emailed to ask whether I needed to book for breakfast (which is mentioned in their room guide). I was told no but then we arrived we were told we needed a reservation and there was no availability after 8.45 so we ended up getting room service. Breakfast was fine but they forgot the jams etc and that wait was too long - everything was cold by the time it arrived. Reception gave me the wrong code for the pool which meant I wasted time when I wanted to swim before the child free time ended. It took 20 minutes to get a top of water in the restaurant. Additionally, the bedroom decor is all a little 90s beige, millennial grey and not in keeping with the historic building at all which feel odd.”

“We had an afternoon tea at 3:00pm and it was ok . We were at the end of the serving for afternoon tea so when we arrived we had 2 tables with distance apart . We did add more people a day before we had this , so it was our fault for 2 tables . But when we asked to move them together (they were next to each other but with about 3 feet separating the tables) they said it will ruin the “looks” of the place . We got served our drinks and then one of the servers was pouring the wrong wine which was far more expensive than the wine we ordered. Luckily we caught it and he said he will put the other wine on our bill instead . The food was quite nice , although some of the children were on different tables and the children meal was shared between 2 so it was very hard to work it out .I would say the workers all looked like they wanted to get us out as quick as possible whats fair . When we ordered some more tea and some more jam it took well over ten minutes for it even know we were one of the last people in there. I felt the service could of been a bit better but the food was really good”

“We previously stayed at Bovey castle in the main building a few years ago and absolutely loved it. We are currently here again in a lodge this time but the whole experience is very different. Overall the place is lovely, the setting is beautiful and generally the staff are friendly but there have just been lots of small things that haven’t been enjoyable. Today we were told the kids zone for our two young kids cost £25 per day. This isn’t a manned facility, it’s a room for kids to play in under parent supervision. For a hotel to cater for families and kids, I have no idea why they charge for it and it was free when we previously stayed. The lodge is very different to the luxury room we stayed in before. It is spacious but feels a bit sparse and not luxurious or homely. The oven pan was disgusting and could do with a new frying pan and didn’t have basics like salt. I understand if they want us to eat in the restaurant but booking it for the times we wanted in the evenings we were told there were no spaces. My wife and eldest son wanted a round of golf with an instructor and left two messages at reception for the golf shop to contact her to arrange the pro, but neither message was passed on and it became too late to get an instructor. And the continental breakfast for £20 per person was disappointing. Overall I’d say it’s a lovely place for a romantic couples weekend or you are out an about the entire time but for young families it wouldn’t be my choice again.”

“Bovey Castle is absolutely stunning! The grounds are beautiful, perfect for a leisurely walk or just soaking in the scenery. There’s also a fantastic range of activities to keep everyone entertained, from outdoor adventures to more relaxing options. It’s the perfect spot for a getaway, combining natural beauty with plenty to do. Highly recommend!”

“A wonderful place for a half-term holiday. Families should head for the beautiful lodges, where they'll have plenty of space to noisily romp around without disturbing other guests — but still be able to use the hotel facilities. The kids were made to feel at home by the staff, with highlights being a ride on a golf buggy, meeting the chickens and ferrets, and watching the falconry display. The pool was good too, and it's a smart move to have clearly stayed hours when children are welcome. Venturing out into Dartmoor to let them really let off steam is highly recommended, but the estate is large and has a good playground too. Overall, a great stay, and we're likely to be back.”