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Bovey Castle Hotel: Traveler Reviews


Bovey Castle Hotel
Moretonhampstead, North Bovey, Dartmoor National Park TQ13 8RE, England
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Traveler Reviews

73% Recommend
4.0 of 5 stars 72 reviews
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Devon Delight

Bovey Castle Hotel

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5 of 5 stars
SloogBoog 2 contributions
London
Jun 2, 2006 | Trip type: Business
4/5 found this review helpful

I concur wholeheartedly with the other hugely positive reviews here about Bovey Castle – it is a really exceptional hotel, even by 5 star standards. Bovey Castle has it all: fabulous facilities, excellent food, a truly stunning location and genuinely friendly staff who manage consistently to hit the right note of ensuring guests’ comfort at all times without ever being obtrusively ‘there’. What impresses most about this hotel is how we felt transported back to the decadence of the 1920s and felt as though we were visitors to a friend’s country castle, rather than just guests in the usual stuffy carbon-copy 5 star hotel.

Recently I arranged a Spring weekend break here for a large group of staff from the company I work for. I received exceptional service in arranging the event from their events co-ordinator. Every detail of our stay was finely planned and no request was too much trouble. None of us was disappointed with our stay and we also took part in a variety of activities that the hotel had to offer, including clay pigeon shooting, hawk walks, games of golf, local designated walks (they even provide you with wellies!), massages and special treatments in the spa. I have heard nothing but positive reports from the group who went. Each morning of our stay we enjoyed a large and varied breakfast, comprising of traditional English cooked breakfast items and a varied and extensive continental breakfast buffet. This was followed by a complimentary daily falconry display in the grounds by the castle’s resident falconer.

The bedroom my partner and I stayed in overlooked the beautiful grounds and was spacious and decorated to a really high standard. The only thing that let the room down was the bathroom which was perfectly pleasant but ever so slightly shabby and rather more basic than I would have expected (shower extension over a bath with screen; no mixer taps on the sink). There were some lovely little touches in the room, such as fresh fudge made on the estate, sloe gin provided on the coffee table and hand made shortbread biscuits with the teas and coffees. Every time we returned to our room, we found it had been attended to and was pristine, yet the service at all times was inconspicuous - just as you would wish for.

The evening meals in the Palm Court Dining Room were very good indeed, as was the superb level of service, but it was the post-dinner drinks in the Piano Bar which truly made our evenings (think pianist in the corner playing some 1920/30s classics in sumptuous gentleman’s club ‘leather sofa and cigar’ surroundings).

The draw backs? A night’s stay is quite pricey (although it stands up well in comparison with many 4 and 5 star hotels in London) and although some of the activities are complimentary, many charge a small fee. The castle is hard to find when driving or it’s a 30 minutes taxi drive from the nearest train station. So unless you’re from Devon or surrounds, you may have quite a complicated / long journey. It rained out a few of our activities when we were there. It didn’t detract from our stay, as there were plenty indoors to keep us amused (gym, snooker room, wine tasting and a stunning swimming pool with steam room and sauna as well as a spa) but it did make me think how much more I could have enjoyed the estate if the sun shone consistently, so I would definitely recommend a summer visit!

Bovey Castle truly is a cut above the rest and I found very little lacking during my stay. I’ve certainly not stayed in better in the UK and am already planning a return trip next year. Bovey Castle is a rare jewel as it is the attentiveness, pleasantness and efforts of the staff which elevates this hotel beyond being simply in the top notch hotel league. I would say that it is infinitely worth both the money and the schlep!

  • My ratings for this hotel
    • 4 of 5 stars Value
    • 5 of 5 stars Rooms
    • 5 of 5 stars Cleanliness
    • 5 of 5 stars Service
  • Date of stay May 2006
  • Member since June 02, 2006
  • I recommend this hotel for An amazing honeymoon, Older travelers, Pet owners, Families with young children, Families with teenagers, Tourists
This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
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Average price*: $319 (year-round)
Call now to book: 1-800-454-6835 from hotels.com
Wonderful, Wonderful, Wonderful!!

Bovey Castle Hotel

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5 of 5 stars
A TripAdvisor Member
Devon
May 16, 2006
1/2 found this review helpful

We had the good fortune to spend our 2nd wedding anniversary at Bovey Castle. Our expectations were high and we were not disappointed. From the moment we arrived until checkout the service and friendliness of staff was impeccable. Our room was absolutely gorgeous, with the little touches making a big difference. A superb dinner, in wonderful surroundings made our evening unforgettable. Bovey Castle is a special place to which we will most certainly return. A big thank you to William Pound (General Manager), his sense of humour, graciousness and true sense of ocassion made our stay one to remember.

  • My ratings for this hotel
    • 5 of 5 stars Value
    • 5 of 5 stars Rooms
    • 5 of 5 stars Cleanliness
    • 5 of 5 stars Service
  • Date of stay April 2006
  • Member since May 16, 2006
  • I recommend this hotel for An amazing honeymoon, Tourists
This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Was this review helpful? Yes No
Check Rates
Average price*: $319 (year-round)
Call now to book: 1-800-454-6835 from hotels.com
A Very Special experience

Bovey Castle Hotel

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5 of 5 stars
Terry_Donnelly 6 contributions
Bristol
May 8, 2006
0/1 found this review helpful

Stayed at the Castle just for the one night, which is a shame as i could have grown used to the high standards of service and facilities. The bed was absolutely amazing. Boith of us had the best sleep and woke up feeling very refreshed and relaxed. Only had breakfast there, which was gorgeous. Top quality food, and nothing was too much for the staff. I had an interesting conversation with the head bar man about a preference of spirit in a cocktail, which he gave me for free because I preferred my own recipe rather than his.
We were able to spend sometime in the beautiful grounds after we checked out. We enjoyed putting on the green, croquet and badminton. Took some amazing photos too.
Admittedly it is very pricey, but compared to other 5 star hotels I have stayed at this was definitely top of the list. Go there for that special occasion, and if you can afford it, stay for more than one night!

  • My ratings for this hotel
    • 3 of 5 stars Value
    • 5 of 5 stars Rooms
    • 5 of 5 stars Cleanliness
    • 5 of 5 stars Service
  • Date of stay May 2006
  • Member since May 08, 2006
  • I recommend this hotel for An amazing honeymoon, Older travelers, Pet owners, Tourists
This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Was this review helpful? Yes No
Check Rates
Average price*: $319 (year-round)
Call now to book: 1-800-454-6835 from hotels.com
My 40th birthday treat

Bovey Castle Hotel

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5 of 5 stars
A TripAdvisor Member
Harrogate, Yorkshire
May 8, 2006
1/2 found this review helpful

Arriving at Bovey Castle was like arriving at the grand home of distant cousins, we didn't really know what to expect but full of anticipation after reading many terrific reviews.

Just before my birthday, I chanced upon your web-site and read the very disappointing e-mail of Paul from Whitbread. I have to say, we nearly cancelled but thankfully decided not to as all the other reviews were on the whole fantastic. Thank goodness we didn't. Paul can't have stayed at the same place...we arrived to a friendly welcome, our car whisked away and a glass of Champage proffered before we'd even arrived at reception...my husband mentioned it was my birthday and the reception staff said that they'd already upgraded us so it was set to be a wonderful long weekend.

We tried the wine-tasting and even managed to meet their new Chef, James who brought out a brirthday cake!

We spent the rest of the weekend trying lots of new activities we'd never had a chance to before...including fishing, falconry and yes mountain-biking! You just had to ask for the saddles....

Paul do try Bovey again...I can only think they must have got it disastrously wrong for you as our food and stay were perfect. We didn't meet Will Pound the General Manager but can't imagine with such a fun-loving, efficient staff that he can be too bad!

  • My ratings for this hotel
    • 4 of 5 stars Value
    • 5 of 5 stars Rooms
    • 5 of 5 stars Cleanliness
    • 5 of 5 stars Service
  • Date of stay May 2006
  • Member since May 08, 2006
  • I recommend this hotel for Young singles, An amazing honeymoon, Older travelers, Pet owners, Families with young children, Families with teenagers, Tourists
This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Was this review helpful? Yes No
Check Rates
Average price*: $319 (year-round)
Call now to book: 1-800-454-6835 from hotels.com
Relaxing weekend away at Bovey Castle

Bovey Castle Hotel

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5 of 5 stars
A TripAdvisor Member
London
May 7, 2006
3/5 found this review helpful

Just got home after a weekend away at Bovey Castle. Took the train from London which I would recommend as the journey goes quickly and there is plenty to do on the estate once there, so no need to regret not having the car. Loved the sloe Gin on arrival and the idea of the host to look out for you during your stay. The view from my room was fantastic, if only I had that view from my flat window in London. The food and service seemed much better than when I first visited a year ago, they have a new chef I'm told and this sems to have made a big difference. The staff are friendly and imformal and you dont get the stuffyness you can often get at these higher end hotels. Loved the spa and pool, the massage I had was amazing and my partner had the best facial she has ever had. Enjoyed the wine tasting which is another new idea I have not seen in other hotels. It lasts 45 mins you get to try four wines chosen to go with that evenings dinner menu, plus talk to fellow guests an idea other hotels should take up in my opinion. Looking forward to going back in the summer.

  • My ratings for this hotel
    • 3 of 5 stars Value
    • 4 of 5 stars Rooms
    • 5 of 5 stars Cleanliness
    • 5 of 5 stars Service
  • Date of stay May 2006
  • Member since May 07, 2006
  • I recommend this hotel for Young singles, An amazing honeymoon, Older travelers, Families with young children, Families with teenagers, Tourists
This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Was this review helpful? Yes No
Check Rates
Average price*: $319 (year-round)
Call now to book: 1-800-454-6835 from hotels.com
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Bovey Castle Hotel Also Known As

Address: Moretonhampstead, North Bovey, Dartmoor National Park TQ13 8RE, England