I so wanted to love this hotel, but as they say, "the devil is in the detail". First things first let's get rid of the "It's a pit " reviews, not true and they don't help anyone. The hotel is a beautiful grade one listed building and I think that is where the problems come, it must be a nightmare doing any work to the place (I have experience on being grade two listed that's bad enough). The hotel is in a quiet location nestled in the saddle of the hill and I guess it get very little sun later in the year hence the damp comments from some visitors. The room (I only stayed in one so unlike some reviewers I can't comment on ones i didn't see) was fine for the price, cheaper than some of the bigger hotels and in line with the more up market B&B's (I saw a number in the 60pppn area) The room wasn't large but for a twin fine. The bathroom was a little shabby, we had some cleaning issues, but this was sorted and left spotless. The decoration was OK, I got the impression that a lot was done in the mid 80's and now looks a bit tired.
The main hotel rooms are the biggest letdown; apart from the drawing room (a real period piece) the bar, TV room and restaurant are clean and tidy, but need bringing up to date.

The food was generally good, but it all felt so rushed we had an evening meal. We sat down at 7.30 we where looking at our TV before 8.30. Of course this might be exactly what most people want, but for us it was too hurried. The food was well cooked and served and for the price good value. We weren't offered coffee even though it was included, the staff were more keen to relay for breakfast.

The Pool is a pleasant surprise, but the changing area and toilets are not.

Right I better stop before I paint the wrong picture. It's a pleasant small scale hotel of the type we used to do so well in England, I guess it's just got left behind by the bigger chains of budget brands that can do IKEA boutique so well.

Would we stay again probably not, but only because we probably wouldn't stay in Sidmouth.