We went to the Appuldurcombe Restaurant at the Royal Hotel for dinner one evening in November 2011. The experience was faultless from start to finish.

Although not cheap, the meal was not as expensive as we were initially expecting either; the menu was £31 per person for 2 courses, or £40 for 3 courses (with the only exception being if you selected lobster for your start or main, which incurred an additional fee).

Silver service was offered throughout, and the staff were friendly and helpful. Our drinks were kept topped up and fresh (hot) bread rolls and butter were also supplied free of charge. We were surprised at the speed we were served considering meals were made to order - our food arrived after about 5 minutes, with only a few minutes between each course.

The food itself was very nice - the portions were not huge, but with the rich taste this was plenty and more was not needed. I personally had the mushroom soup starter, carbonara main and chocolate torte, and all were very tasty and filling.

The atmosphere was one which may not be particularly child-friendly however; the restaurant was very quiet at all times, with people speaking in a lowered voice and watching their etiquette carefully. Whilst this was fine for us, it might not be the place for high-spirited celebrations. Equally, a family or large group dining here would be expecting a large bill at the end of the evening.

When we'd finished our meal, we were advised to pay at the main hotel reception. At no point were we asked if we would like to add gratuity (leaving this to us to suggest should we wish to).

We had no complaint from start to finish. This is not a "cheap and cheerful" place to eat, and does not offer huge portions, but does provide impecible service and food unlike anything you taste elsewhere.

We stayed here over the bank holiday week end in august 2011.

- Location: very nice, close to the town centre and with stunning terrace on the cliffs with fab view of the promenade

- Parking: one in front of the main entrance (always full) and the other behind the hotel with access from "zig zag road"; be very careful in this one because the access on the main road is quite dangerous as you don't really see cars approaching fast from top of the road

- Bar: ensure you tell the staff that you want to order something otherwise they will let you waiting at your table forever without taking your order and making you feel invisible (it happened twice to us in 2 days) - not really the treatment you would expect in this type/class of hotel

- Rooms: be ready to feel asleep late and wake up early and being part of your neighbour's "bedroom life" as you will ear all the possible noisy around you. If you plan a week end during school holidays, be sure it will be full of kids possibly screaming from early morning (as happened to us twice in 2 days)

- Restaurant: we did not have dinner here after having had breakfast and noticed how busy and noisy it was during bank holiday week end; overall after we had our breakfast, we ordered extra tosted bread and we did have to wait at least 30m as they forgot about us

- Overall: absolutely overpriced early century very noisy hotel; not reccomended if looking for relaxing time with partner/spouse and no kids; extremely disappointing and very unplesant experience

A second visit a few years apart and another lovely experience. This is a lovely hotel with excellent standards. It is comfortable, staff cannot do enough to help but do not overpower. One thing I would say is that we had an amazing deal being out of season so would not complain but had we been paying top price I would have objected to the supplement for smoked fish for breakfast. Not being a fan of a cooked breakfast I enjoy fresh fruit which had to be ordered seperately also. In most hotels this is available as part of the buffet and it seemed a little mean having to order it especially. I would return but only if the prices are kept at a reasonable level as there are too many choices when one gets to the upper price bracket.

We were fortunate to be invited to a wedding held at the Royal Hotel and stayed for 2 nights in their art deco room - with a view of the sea. From the minute we walked in the staff were attentive and professional without being over bearing.
The room was clean and well equipped and the hotel delivers the service and grand style that is not seen very often nowadays. Many of our party were very impressed with the quality of the beds.
Without exception the wedding dinner was the best food I have eaten at a wedding - and this view was shared by most of the wedding guests.
Breakfast was also excellent.
We would return here without hesitation.