The two identical bedrooms with bay windows overlooking the beach are very nicely furnished, comfortable and well equipped. Dinner was first class in terms of choice, quality of ingredients and presentation of food but regrettably the wine list was mainly over-priced.
The reception, lounge and bar areas however desperately needed complete refurbishment.
Car parking is interesting.

What a puzzle this Hotel is rated 5th out of 11 in Sidmouth. We checked in 'on spec' as we were driving through the town purely because it was the nicest looking Hotel on the Esplanade! I'm a Hotel Management Graduate and found the level of service, cleanliness, hospitality, and just the beautiful 'old fashionedness' absolutely outstanding (so did my Husband who is the ultimate "Mr Hard to Please"). That doesn't describe the cuisine which was not old fashioned -but deserving a 2011 Michelin Star. As a member of the Vegetarian Society I was bowled over by the fantastic meals I had, especially as catering for our kind is still regarded as a irritating chore by so many hotels and restaurants; thank you Chef! The Gold Award the Hotel has attained from Visit Britain totally is so deserved, and I suspect at the top end of it's 4 star rating. (For the management: obvious perhaps? but try marketing/promoting your hotel more to the professional, 40-50 age group clientele, who like us are blissfully child-free, so have enough £££'s to treat ourselves with, but would fill your hotel more often if you offered some improved deals for multiple night stays. (Sorry but you are expensive).

Just returned from a three night stay celebrating a family birthday at the Riviera in Sidmouth. A very traditional hotel catering for middle aged to elderly guests. Comfort and service excellent nothing is too much trouble. Service in the restaurant is top notch as is the food which is not cheap but you certainly receive value for money. A very enjoyable short break which we all enjoyed and wished we had booked to stay for longer. All of the staff are very friendly some are real characters who could have been penned by Agatha Christie.

We didn't stay at the Hotel Riviera, but stopped by for lunch. It was a lovely experience. The waiters were attentive but not overbearing, the food was delicious (all freshly prepared with high quality ingredients) and the wine was superb. I had Sunday lunch here a few years ago, and that was an equally wonderful experience. It is great to see that not much has changed. I look forward to going back and hopefully staying in Sidmouth next time.

It is a pity Trip Advisor doesn't have a restaurant listing for this hotel.