We have just returned from a weekend stay at Burgh Island, and my husband and I both put this at the top (or near to) of our 'Favourite Places to Stay' list.

A word of warning: If you are 'tight' with money or can't do without a television, don't book to stay here. If you are expecting a replica of a brand new and pristine Travel Lodge, don't book to stay here. If you suffer from some form of inverted snobbery, don't book to stay here.

If, however, like us you appreciate fine food, fine wine, champagne and decadent surroundings and feel that you have something to celebrate, DO stay here.

The hotel itself is like a working antique. The Art Deco furnishings and decor are fantastic. In some places the corners are starting to peel, but that is because most of the hotel is very old. It is unreasonable to expect everything to look new.

Our room was quite small, but the bed was comfortable and we had a good view across the beach and of the sea. There are no TV's in the rooms, but we did have a radio - which is fine for us because we enjoy talking to each other! The bathroom was huge and luxurious with a roll-top bath, black tiles, Art Deco mirrors, chrome fittings, fluffy towells and dressing gowns and walnut wardrobes. It was the sort of bathroom where you could stay for hours pampering yourself.

We found ALL the staff to be courteous and helpful. They were not intrusive, but were always close by if you needed anything.

The food was extremely good. I ate fish for most of my meals over the weekend. Smoked haddock and Salmon for breakfast, Brill and Monkfish for dinner and we even had half a dozen oysters at the Pilchard Inn for lunch on Saturday - with beer! There was also steak, venison, partridge and duck available. All the food was very well presented and the canapes and petit fours were always interesting. Food is sourced locally where possible.

We greatly enjoyed dressing up for dinner on both the Friday and Saturday nights. If you love to slip into a dinner suit or an evening dress you will appreciate the formality of the dinner 'Event' - because it is an event. If you object to being made to wear a tie or suit you really need to find somewhere else to go. For us, this was a part of the whole experience and nothing makes you feel more glamorous than dressing up to the nines!

On the Saturday night there was a live band and singer. The type of music may not have been my first choice, but it fitted the ambience of the hotel perfectly.

You can ramble over the island (which will probably take you less than half an hour). We also walked across the beach to the mainland and watched the kite flying whilst enjoying a hot cup of coffee in the cold wind. Fantastic! Near deserted beaches in the autumn are a very romantic and thought provoking place to be.

The whole experience was a wonderfully relaxing one. We feel truly spoilt by the whole thing.

Was it expensive? Yes. Very. But, when you know you are paying £340 per night (including breakfast and dinner) you must have some inkling that this is NOT going to be a cheap weekend. You are paying for an experience. You are paying for exclusivity. Do expect to pay the best part of £1000 if, like us, you are going to indulge in some Champagne and good wines and maybe a Spa treatment.

We are already thinking about going back next summer so I can swim in the mermaid pool!

Completely taking the p*ss out of people. The prices are astronomical you could spend less staying a week in a well managed hotel that cares about its residents than here.

My tip would be to hire a nice car, find a nice famhouse to stay, choose a place to eat (anywhere this side of Belgravia is cheaper than this place) visit the island anyway, have and count all the change. Also have a drink at the Pilcard and laugh at all those poor people who have spend the best part of £1000 for two nights (remember you HAVE to be out by 11am).

Do yourself a favour and read the other reviews before spending SO much money.

I am ashamed that this place is in Devon.

My boyfriend took me to Burgh Island for one night to propose and it was a magical destination!

We saw no evidence of the poor service as mentioned in several reviews. All the staff were friendly and attentive. This was highlighted on arrival, when, at check in, my boyfirend realised he'd left his wallet back in the car on the mainland. Reception very quickly arranged for their driver to take our car key's, go back to the mainland, collect the wallet and return it to us in our room about 15 minutes later!

Burgh island is slighty 'worn around the edges' but this in no ways takes away from it being such a marvellous place.

We stayed in a suite that cost £410 with amazing sea views, a great bathroom and very comfy bed.

Lunch at the Pilchard Inn is highly recommended.

Pre-dinner cocktails in the Peacock bar were great and served with delicious canapes. The wine we chose to accompany dinner was out of stock but the waiter suggested an alternative which was excellent and not too expensive!

Dinner was well presented and the waiting staff were very friendly. There was no live music on the Monday night when we were there. This would have added to the evening and it was a shame the piano was left empty.

All in all Burgh Island is an absolute destination hotel. It is not a typical 'luxury' 5 star hotel but is so full of character and little gems.

I can't wait to go back!

Having read about this hotel over the years, while staying in Dartmouth we decided to book an evening meal in the hotel. We booked by phone and they were quick to take a credit card number in case of a 'no show' but did not inform us of the dress code. We arrived only to be told by a rather snooty concierge that my husband should be wearing black tie. He was wearing a smart suit but did reluctantly put on a borrowed bowtie. This set the tone of the evening. The music was piped even though there were two pianos, one in the bar and one in the dining room - surely live music could have been provided . The food was well presented and unusual although I ordered medium fillet steak and it was served well done. I am surprised that this was not noticed by the chef and then by the waiters. Although they did of course replace it I had to wait another ten minutes by which time my husband had finished his main course. We were offered a dessert wine by way of compensation - I do not drink and my husband was driving so that was of no interest to us. The waiting staff were very attentive but we did not get any apology from the management. Is this really what we should expect when paying well over £100 for a meal?

Overall we felt the experience was very disappointing. There was no atmosphere to the place, it felt sterile and that they were doing you a favour by letting you eat there. I would not recommend this to my friends - some of whom had planned to visit in the future.