The hotel is located at the far end of the esplanade so technically it does face the sea but is behind some pretty impressive beach front thatched housing. Booked here as a wedding anniversary treat, on arrival had to wait about 5 mins for reception staff to attend to us, as there was a bit of a conflab going on in a nearby office, I did wave through the mirrored glass window, however something on the computer was keeping staff amused and distracted! Anyway eventually we got to book in. Allocated room 9 with a seaview, Room was big and clean, lots of space and a massive wardrobe to put your luggage, little sofa and table chairs all the usual tea and coffee stuff. Big massive bed, comfy and clean. annex wash basin with a bathroom bath with shower and seperate shower, again clean, but apparently due for a re furb. The shower was good and refeshing.Window overlooks a flat roof onto lawn two balconied rooms either side. looking on to the Victoria Hotel ( this looked impressive!) Sea view to right and up the Esplanade, so technically not a direct seaview ! No net curtains so had to keep curtains closed all of the time to save on other folk peeking in from other rooms! As I have a tendency to walk around in my underpants or naked not good, so did not get to see the sea much! Glass on the windows was old too and seen better days, apart from all that the room was ok, I liked it.
Breakfast was hearty, everything you need to start the day, I did not go hungry at breakfast. Very good. Dinner in the was again a fixed choice menu of about four choices, bit confused on a £3 surcharge for smoked chicken salad, well thats not a technical dish, so thats bad news even the basic of chefs can throw a bit of salad and a bit of chicken on a plate. I must say that the main courses were excellent, My Steak with an £8.00 surcharge was excellent! however the deserts and starters were average chief skills. Wine list is atrocious, overpriced rubbish, I know my wine, house wine at £15.50 a bottle is a rip off, £25. for an average wine is a rip off too, when will hotels learn! I can buy a decent very drinkable enjoyable wine for £10 and £ 16 buys me luxury wine to drink So I am affraid the wine list here is crass. The Staff are your saving grace though as they potter around all night at your service and do a grand job and are very polite. Overall it was a good deal , nice place, cosy and relaxing atmosphere. A little too hot at times temperature wise. This is a nice Hotel, I understand is due for a bit of a re-furb . Sidmouth is good too plenty of good shops and may I recommend Woodfordes Perfumery, top class smells for ladies and gents here!
So would I return, yes probably. Just iron out your little faults with the Cheifing and your wine list and your be onto a deffinate winner with myself and my friends who I will tell do stay and make your own review!

Just returned from a weekend break at this charming hotel . Very pleasant place to relax and unwind. All staff were very helpful and polite offering good service . Quality of our bedroom very acceptable with good shower etc , no bath , not a problem for us.Would recommend this hotel a break . Well positioned for seafront and walk to town centre.

This was probably our 6th or 7th short break at the Hotel within the last 10 years,. All the staff we encountered were as always pleasant and helpful. We were allocated a refurbished room with a balcony and superb view of Sidmouth and Lyme Bay.
The breakfasts were excellent as were the evening dinners, with super service at both meal times.
Our party of four couldn't find any negative aspects, other than that drinks were a little expensive, but you'd expect that at a hotel.
Our stay was at a special Winter DB&B rate, so all in all we thooughly enjoyed ouir time at The Westcliff.

Bad check in experience, upon arrival advised that my booking had been cancelled, took 20 minutes to sort it out and only after I produced documentation to prove that it hadn't been cancelled.
Hotel was situated in a nice location overlooking the sea and Sidmouth, only a ten minute walk to town. Room 33 was clean and tidy but, the beds, for goodness sake, do something about them, most uncomfortable, they were so soft and floppy they felt like water beds, get them fixed please. Bathroom was great and well appointed.
Breakfast, which was included in the price, was excellent with all the usual breakfast goodies on offer. Would I stay again? probably, but get your check in fixed and do something about the beds.