Nice hotel in the Southwest for winter weekend break

[Ilikebeaver]

I have been going to The Headland Hotel since I was a young child.

Me and Mr Beaver just got back from a week there and it's better than ever.

The new spa has recently opened and it is one of the best I have been to.

The staff are fantastic. The rooms large and spacious with excellent views.

Huge roaring log fires throughout the hotel.

Lots of snug cosy spots dotted around.

Nice choice of places to eat so no need to venture out if you don't want.

Perfect place to watch the stormy waves.


http://www.headlandhotel.co.uk

[Burrito]

Not a big fan of the Headland for food, as never had a great meal in there. Preferred Fistral Blu before it closed or Lewinnick on the opposite headland, the south side of Fistral.

The Headland Cottages are quite nice, in a quirky kind of way.

Could have a look at www.watergatebay.co.uk which is next door to Fifteen and the Beech Hut. We had the tasting menu in the summer and it was very good. Hotel food was good too.

Only had a work lunch at Bedruthan but it was nice and the views were lovely. And the missus uses their spa facilities regularly.

ETA just checked watergate for a two night stay at the beginning of Feb in their top room is £320. I'm sure you could wangle a meal or discount in that.

Edited by Burrito on Monday 16th December 20:20

[jackal]

blueg33 said:

jackal said:

+1 bedruthan steps is nice
sister hotel to teh scarlet IIRC

Saunton sands is another, a bit oldy worldy but fabulous location. Lee/Woolacoombe etc. is a great spot as well, quite classy and unspoilt.

Burgh island is a beautiful hotel but a bit quiet and cut off. Would choose the thurlestone over it most likely.

Had totally rubbish service at Saunton Sands Hotel in the summer, my friend who lives locally also reported similar issues. Nice location, but I would avoid the hotel.

Yeah doesnt surprise me, it was fairly average 10 yrs ago. Shame as the location is great.

[boyse7en]

jackal said:

Yeah doesnt surprise me, it was fairly average 10 yrs ago. Shame as the location is great.

Location is fantastic... but we only live 3 miles away. Not sure the missus would count that as a weekend away

We used to go there for Sunday Lunches quite often, and it was good for that. Never stayed there though.

[Prince Rupert]

LordHaveMurci said:

Combe House Hotel nr Honiton, only eaten there, not stayed but did get a mini tour & looked quite nice.

Stayed here a number of times. Very, very excellent in every respect. The classiest of classy places with real relaxed, understated luxury, charm and service. Quite pricey but im my experience they are always open to doing deals and upgrades. My wife and I have a thing for long weekends in country house hotels so I have stayed in quite a few. In my opinion Combe House is the best by far, like having your own fully staffed country house.

Website:

www.combehousedevon.com

[Misaps]

Prince Rupert said:

Stayed here a number of times. Very, very excellent in every respect. The classiest of classy places with real relaxed, understated luxury, charm and service. Quite pricey but im my experience they are always open to doing deals and upgrades. My wife and I have a thing for long weekends in country house hotels so I have stayed in quite a few. In my opinion Combe House is the best by far, like having your own fully staffed country house.

Website:

www.combehousedevon.com

+1 for Combe House. We always try and get a long weekend here twice a year. The Linen Suite is beautiful with a massive copper bath. Not cheap at £250 pppn though. They have a deal on at the mo for selected midweek dates until end march - just call to get details

[steveT350C]

http://www.budockvean.co.uk

Food and service is stunning. We go twice a year

[blueg33]

Eleven said:

It's because you look like you can't afford it.

I didn't realise that you know me!

[Eleven]

blueg33 said:

Eleven said:

It's because you look like you can't afford it.

I didn't realise that you know me!

On a more serious note, I haven't tipped hotel staff individually in this country for donkeys years. Moreso in Italy or on the continent, but not over here. Not sure if that's right or wrong, but it seems slightly gauche.

[blueg33]

Eleven said:

On a more serious note, I haven't tipped hotel staff individually in this country for donkeys years. Moreso in Italy or on the continent, but not over here. Not sure if that's right or wrong, but it seems slightly gauche.

Not even in the restaurant?

I sort of know what you mean generally, but in this case the service on arrival was excellent. They opened the car doors, took luggage up, parked car etc etc

[Eleven]

blueg33 said:

Eleven said:

On a more serious note, I haven't tipped hotel staff individually in this country for donkeys years. Moreso in Italy or on the continent, but not over here. Not sure if that's right or wrong, but it seems slightly gauche.

Not even in the restaurant?

I sort of know what you mean generally, but in this case the service on arrival was excellent. They opened the car doors, took luggage up, parked car etc etc

If I am at an hotel's restaurant for a meal but not staying there I'll tip as usual. But I tend not to tip staff individually. Opening doors, dealing with luggage and valet parking is standard in decent hotels and paid for in the bill. If the staff has been exceptional and there is an opportunity to pay into the tronc I'll sometimes tip, but not as a rule.

Tipping can lead to awkwardness and also inconsistency, unless you keep a good supply of tipping money to hand. I also have a feeling that it's a bit anachronistic in the UK. It's smacks of positional and grandiose, whereas I think most hotel staff consider themselves professionals and equals who are just doing their job. This is somewhat borne out by your experience, I think.

[blueg33]

Eleven said:

blueg33 said:

Eleven said:

On a more serious note, I haven't tipped hotel staff individually in this country for donkeys years. Moreso in Italy or on the continent, but not over here. Not sure if that's right or wrong, but it seems slightly gauche.

Not even in the restaurant?

I sort of know what you mean generally, but in this case the service on arrival was excellent. They opened the car doors, took luggage up, parked car etc etc

If I am at an hotel's restaurant for a meal but not staying there I'll tip as usual. But I tend not to tip staff individually. Opening doors, dealing with luggage and valet parking is standard in decent hotels and paid for in the bill. If the staff has been exceptional and there is an opportunity to pay into the tronc I'll sometimes tip, but not as a rule.

Tipping can lead to awkwardness and also inconsistency, unless you keep a good supply of tipping money to hand. I also have a feeling that it's a bit anachronistic in the UK. It's smacks of positional and grandiose, whereas I think most hotel staff consider themselves professionals and equals who are just doing their job. This is somewhat borne out by your experience, I think.

I do tend to agree with you, but having a son who has a part time job in a hotel, I also know that the tips can make the differenec to the employee, between rubbish pay and a decent income.

I stay in decent hotels around the country several times a month, in some you can tell a tip is expected especially for valet parking (Claridges springs to mind) and others its not expected.

It would be easier for the customers if there was a consistent approach. In the US tips are pretty much expected. In Thailand a small tip in sterling terms can make a huge difference to the employee. I had use of a hotel limo for a day in Bangkok and tipped the driver at the end of the day the equivalent of about £10, he was so pleased. Talking to my relative who worked in BK at the time he said my tip was probably several days pay for the chauffer. The hotel in question is considered to be one of the best in BK and had the best service I have experienced anywhere.

[Eleven]

blueg33 said:

Eleven said:

blueg33 said:

Eleven said:

On a more serious note, I haven't tipped hotel staff individually in this country for donkeys years. Moreso in Italy or on the continent, but not over here. Not sure if that's right or wrong, but it seems slightly gauche.

Not even in the restaurant?

I sort of know what you mean generally, but in this case the service on arrival was excellent. They opened the car doors, took luggage up, parked car etc etc

If I am at an hotel's restaurant for a meal but not staying there I'll tip as usual. But I tend not to tip staff individually. Opening doors, dealing with luggage and valet parking is standard in decent hotels and paid for in the bill. If the staff has been exceptional and there is an opportunity to pay into the tronc I'll sometimes tip, but not as a rule.

Tipping can lead to awkwardness and also inconsistency, unless you keep a good supply of tipping money to hand. I also have a feeling that it's a bit anachronistic in the UK. It's smacks of positional and grandiose, whereas I think most hotel staff consider themselves professionals and equals who are just doing their job. This is somewhat borne out by your experience, I think.

I do tend to agree with you, but having a son who has a part time job in a hotel, I also know that the tips can make the differenec to the employee, between rubbish pay and a decent income.

I stay in decent hotels around the country several times a month, in some you can tell a tip is expected especially for valet parking (Claridges springs to mind) and others its not expected.

It would be easier for the customers if there was a consistent approach. In the US tips are pretty much expected. In Thailand a small tip in sterling terms can make a huge difference to the employee. I had use of a hotel limo for a day in Bangkok and tipped the driver at the end of the day the equivalent of about £10, he was so pleased. Talking to my relative who worked in BK at the time he said my tip was probably several days pay for the chauffer. The hotel in question is considered to be one of the best in BK and had the best service I have experienced anywhere.

It IS a tricky subject, tipping. Though I TEND to find that it is not expected in the UK, sometimes at 5-star places I've noticed a hand ready to receive a note. It tends to be the older staff members. Last time was at the Wyndham Chelsea Harbour a few weeks ago. Just one doorman who let me into my car whilst it was parked in the car park.

Out of interest, how much do you tip?

[blueg33]

It depends I guess, on how much cash I have and the degree of service. Normally £5 for valet park and bags to the room etc

[Eleven]

blueg33 said:

It depends I guess, on how much cash I have and the degree of service. Normally £5 for valet park and bags to the room etc

Hmmm. I'd feel a bit cheap handing out £5 notes, especially given how tatty most of them are. I'd also feel obliged to keep a pocket stuffed with the little blighters in order to be consistent with my gratuities. All of which leads me back to it being awkward and somewhat anachronistic.

[evoivboy]

This is nice http://www.balmerlawnhotel.com/
Stayed there last year, lovely setting

[blueg33]

Eleven said:

blueg33 said:

It depends I guess, on how much cash I have and the degree of service. Normally £5 for valet park and bags to the room etc

Hmmm. I'd feel a bit cheap handing out £5 notes, especially given how tatty most of them are. I'd also feel obliged to keep a pocket stuffed with the little blighters in order to be consistent with my gratuities. All of which leads me back to it being awkward and somewhat anachronistic.

I don't disagree. Sometimes £10 makes it look like you are being too flash

[Eleven]

blueg33 said:

Eleven said:

blueg33 said:

It depends I guess, on how much cash I have and the degree of service. Normally £5 for valet park and bags to the room etc

Hmmm. I'd feel a bit cheap handing out £5 notes, especially given how tatty most of them are. I'd also feel obliged to keep a pocket stuffed with the little blighters in order to be consistent with my gratuities. All of which leads me back to it being awkward and somewhat anachronistic.

I don't disagree. Sometimes £10 makes it look like you are being too flash

More complication and angst! I still think tipping centrally, via the tronc if you will, is the way forwards.

On a very, very, OT theme I recall a salesman I used to work with who was an oik made good and when he picked up his first ever company car. He collected it from the dealership and when he shook the sales manager's hand on departure he palmed him a ten pound note. Once he'd mentioned this to the rest of us we naturally never let him forget it.

[Prince Rupert]

Misaps said:

+1 for Combe House. We always try and get a long weekend here twice a year. The Linen Suite is beautiful with a massive copper bath. Not cheap at £250 pppn though. They have a deal on at the mo for selected midweek dates until end march - just call to get details

Agreed - I booked the linen suite for a long weekend and private dining in the Georgian kitchen for the weekend I proposed. Many many brownie points! They were great with helping plan that too.

[jackal]

Eleven said:

On a more serious note, I haven't tipped hotel staff individually in this country for donkeys years. Moreso in Italy or on the continent, but not over here. Not sure if that's right or wrong, but it seems slightly gauche.

On the first night i usually bung the head waiter a nifty and our main waiter a score. This sets the tone for the duration of the stay .... its important to create an atmosphere amongst your party and inspire highly attentive service. Its also important that others around you know how important you are. If the wine waiter does his job well then there is no reason why he shouldnt be tipped generously as well.