“More than a hotel”

I've just returned from 4 nights at the Sidholme hotel and it far exceeded my expectations. The hotel is a mansion set in expansive gardens, with an annexe and a modern swimming pool built in the grounds. We had room 14, which is a large family room in the main house, with a large communal balcony … more

I've just returned from 4 nights at the Sidholme hotel and it far exceeded my expectations. The hotel is a mansion set in expansive gardens, with an annexe and a modern swimming pool built in the grounds. We had room 14, which is a large family room in the main house, with a large communal balcony looking over the south facing garden. We were there as part of a conference, so knowing all the other guests may have added to our experience, but the beauty of the building and Sidmouth in general, plus the quality of the food, friendliness of the staff and the general atmosphere really did make this the first stress free hotel stay we have experienced with our soon to be 3 year old. A lot of negative comments on here have been levelled at the annexe building, which I didn't personally visit, but I did speak to friends who stayed in the annexe and they didn't have anything to complain about.

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“GREAT VALUE IN THE ANNEXE”

I have stayed here in the main house & the annexe as a family, on my own & more recently with my ESA Assistance Dog. Breaks my heart to see negative reviews when what you get for the price paid is incredible! I paid £72:90 through Booking.Com (Hotel will price match) for 2 nights in a single room… more

I have stayed here in the main house & the annexe as a family, on my own & more recently with my ESA Assistance Dog. Breaks my heart to see negative reviews when what you get for the price paid is incredible! I paid £72:90 through Booking.Com (Hotel will price match) for 2 nights in a single room in the basic annexe. That’s £36:45 per night for bed, clean bedding, tea/coffee, clock radio, sink with hot water, towels. (Shared Toilet/shower/bath which is very near rooms) hot Buffett breakfast with tea/coffee/juices. Access to a beautiful swimming pool with showers, toilets & towels provided. You also have shampoo & bath/shower gel/soap in the rooms Historic house set in beautiful grounds with an amazing history. If you want five star then pay for it! In my opinion what you get here is a lot more for you pay.

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“If you don't pay a lot, you don't get a lot”

Sidmouth is an expensive seaside town, and this is one of its lowest priced hotels, so that has to be taken into account in the overall context of this review. It is a fairly short walk from the town, quite close to the Radway cinema area, but a bit of a walk, or drive, from the sea front. It is … more

Sidmouth is an expensive seaside town, and this is one of its lowest priced hotels, so that has to be taken into account in the overall context of this review. It is a fairly short walk from the town, quite close to the Radway cinema area, but a bit of a walk, or drive, from the sea front. It is up a fairly narrow lane, Elysian Fields. There is another rear gate on Brewery Lane, but I am not certain if that gate is always open. There are three car parks, one on arrival from Elysian Fields, one very small one just outside the main building and another slightly larger one at the back, behind the Annex, near the Brewery Lane end. The main building is quite an impressive old building, possibly once a mansion or similar, with a very wide staircase, but we were booked (at very short notice, it has to be said) into the Annex, a building a short distance away, which is considerably less impressive. The room we had was VERY basic - very tired, small, a little smelly and with almost no colour. We did know it was the last room available, and although we wanted a double only a twin was left, which was acceptable as it was for only one night after an event in town. It has been many years, however, since I have been to a hotel with a shared toilet instead of ensuite and being of a certain age this was rather inconvenient, but again we had been informed of this before arrival. Breakfast in the main hotel building was absolutely fine - staff bring teas and coffee on request to your table (although this is not made immediately obvious) and you collect everything else from a buffet area. The hotel is run by a Christian organisation, but this is not at all "in your face". There was no attempt to force this on anyone. In fact, apart from spotting a few leaflets dotted about the place, it was barely noticeable. On balance, some aspects of this hotel are rather nice, and it is considerably less expensive than other local hotels, but the Annex is not somewhere I would happily stay again. I would hope the main building rooms would be superior, but if so, they are probably more expensive. Consider your budget and how much you are prepared to compromise for it. If a very basic hotel, convenient for town if not quite the beach, at not too high a price, and a decent breakfast is all you want, and you are not too fussed about style or convenience, this will do, but I won't be rushing back. Sometimes it is worth spending a bit more to get more. I got what I paid for.

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