Carlyon Bay Hotel St Austell, Cornwall
Probably Brend Hotels' flagship property (and arguably one of the finest hotels in Devon and Cornwall), situated in lush clifftop gardens overlooking Carlyon Bay near St Austell in Cornwall. The Carlyon Bay is warm, welcoming, truly luxurious and family-friendly. The hotel offers an AA Rosette restaurant with fabulous views over the bay. There's also a stunning new spa with all the usual facilities including both indoor and outdoor pools. And there's a renowned golf course which makes the most of the hotel's fabulous clifftop location.
Saunton Sands Hotel near Barnstaple, Devon
The Saunton Sands is an iconic, art-deco style resort hotel perched on the clifftop overlooking a fabulous beach (popular with surfers) and the World Heritage Site of Braunton Burrows. The Saunton Sands is probably the most family-oriented of Brend's hotels, with entertainment and activities for both kids and adults (particularly during the holiday seasons). The hotel has a nice indoor pool, and a decent restaurant offering quality locally-sourced food.
Imperial Hotel Barnstaple, Devon
The Imperial is one of Brend's more recent aquisitions. They have invested heavily in improving the hotel, which features a very welcoming and comfortable lounge (a nice spot for a bit of afternoon tea), a cosy bar, and a traditional restaurant offering well-conceived menus and piles of fresh vegetables. The Imperial overlooks the River Taw in the heart of the attractive market town of Barnstaple.
Royal and Fortescue Hotel Barnstaple, Devon
Once a traditional coaching inn, the Royal and Fortescue is a charming town-centre hotel with a bustling bar and lounge popular with locals and visitors alike. Some of the rooms are clustered around a quiet courtyard at the back of the hotel, whilst others are in the main part of the building, looking out across the high street. The Royal and Fortescue offers great value for money, with the restaurant providing food of a high standard including a delicious carvery with succulent meats and a wide choice of veg. Unusually for a town centre hotel, there's a free car park just next door.
Park Hotel Barnstaple, Devon
We've not stayed here, so can't comment in detail, but the Park Hotel overlooks Rock Park and the River Taw beyond, a short walk away from the centre of Barnstaple. It seems to be popular with locals, many of whom are drawn in by the hotel's excellent value-for-money carvery restaurant.
Barnstaple Hotel Barnstaple, Devon
The Barnstaple Hotel is just on the outskirts of the market town of Barnstaple. It's an unusual hotel - almost motel-style, with rooms arranged around a well kept garden area which includes a heated outdoor pool (during the summer months). There is also an extensive indoor leisure complex, with a pool, sauna, gym and a wonderful "relaxation area" complete with heated loungers and piles of magazines. The Barnstaple Hotel offers good rates, particularly during the quieter months.
Royal Hotel Bideford, Devon
The Royal Hotel sits at one end of the river bridge close to the centre of Bideford. Like the other Brend hotels, the Royal has a very comfortable and welcoming bar and lounge (and an excellent Sunday carvery lunch). The hotel backs onto what was once a railway line but now forms part of the Tarka Trail cycle way (the hotel even had its own railway platform, harking back to the heydays of railway travel).
Royal Duchy Hotel Falmouth, Cornwall
The Royal Duchy is located right on the seafront in Falmouth - and to this day remains the only four-star hotel in this grand maritime town. The hotel's restaurant offers traditional dining and two AA Rosettes, and there's a delightfully comfy lounge looking out to sea. There's also a nice indoor pool.
Belmont Hotel and Victoria Hotel Sidmouth, Devon
Sidmouth is an attractive and gentile seaside town in South East Devon, with an elegant esplanade ideal for strolling and taking in the sea air. These sister hotels, the Belmont and the Victoria, both offer elegant surroundings and fine food, coupled with the same attention to detail and customer service as Brend's other Devon and Cornwall properties. The Vicoria also boasts extensive leisure facilities, including indoor and outdoor pools, a tennis court and a putting green. Both hotels overlook the sea front and are within easy walking distance of the attractive town centre of Sidmouth.
