Saunton Sands Hotel Source Spa and Wellness

Paid our usual September visit and despite the poor weather had our normal lovely time, We love the location and even in the poorest weather we have experienced during our several visits in the past there is nowhere we would rather be.

We stayed here with a large golf group (about 60 people) for a week in the first half of September. The views from the hotel of Saunton Sands beach were fabulous. The hotel is perched on a cliff about it on one end. The weather was not. We were told it was somewhat abnormal. The temperatures were pretty much mid to high 50 highs, with constant winds between 20 and 40mph, and a number of rainy days. That did not make for pleasurable golf at Royal North Devon GC and Saunton GC where we played five rounds of golf. We walked on the beach one day when the weather subsided a bit, and that was nice with the extensive tidal flats and dunes. The hotel itself is very modern with nice restaurants, bar, and a lovely pool/hot tub which we didn’t get to use. It must be very nice during the summer months. There is a path to the beach, a combo of pavement, then wood, then sand….it is very steep and it zigzags the hill down to the beach and Beach Grill. Fine during the day, but getting back to the hotel from the Beach Grill below after dinner really calls for a hotel shuttle pick-up, which they do a good job of. The food at the Beach Grill was very good….nice fish and chips, onion rings and pizza; we also had several group dinners at the hotel dining room, and the food was also very good. The reception/desk/front staff were terrific….kudos to Jack who provided a lot of good local advice, and the front man who was always helpful with the shuttle and taxis. Wonderful people. Breakfast in the dining room was also excellent every day with a welcoming staff. We had a family suite with a view which was nice, albeit with a bath/shower combo that was rather high up and a toiletry cabinet that you had to be careful off with its wide swing-out over to the toilet. A bit cramped. The grounds are very nice with summer flowers like hydrangeas, and terraces. We did not have a car, so had to rely upon the hotel shuttle to get to the Saunton Golf Club down the road, which is not connected to the hotel; and taxis to get anywhere else for dinner, or sights. Taxis were to be booked in advance, and that worked fine. We went over to Royal Devon Golf Club and Westward Ho! by taxi…55 EU each way; and Lynton/Lynmouth 74 EU each way. Both were nice excursions. So we think it would be a nice place for a high summer season beach vacation; not so much for an autumn golf trip unless you want to chance braving the elements. Apparently autumn came a bit early to the Saunton area this year!

Waited 15 mins to be asked for a drink so went to the bar and told to be seated and someone would come. Waited to be seated in restaurant. Several staffed walked past. The worse thing is whilst eating the server kept leaning across our faces to tidy plates etc. never an excuse me etc. the room was dated and pokey. Very u comfortable bed. Room was the size of a cupboard. The reception was good as was the new games room. Breakfast a bit hit and miss. Asked for toast 3 times and butter twice. In the end I took it from another table.

They had a hot water only in our room. On a hot day , without the aircon, just imagine how annoying is this. We reported it right away but within 3 hours no one came to have a look at it and fix it. So we left the hotel without staying overnight. We wasted 380£ because of this.

A quick overnight stay to visit the beech and golf with family and friends. Staff were so attentive offering a truly personal service. Facilities are great and location is perfect. We will always come again.

We ate on the terrace you can't beat the view, but the service was dreadful worst service ever, it was in fact non existent. We came for a birthday lunch and obviously hugely disappointed!! Food was poor very basic and white white at £10.50 a glass served warm. Avoid this place and spend your money elsewhere where the guest actually matters!!

We had a couple of nights away for my husband's 50th birthday with our three teenage girls. It was amazing, the views, the food, the pool, the spa and the beach. Nothing was too much trouble for the friendly and helpful staff. We loved it.

This is a lovely hotel in stunning location. Very good facilities for family holiday. Staff are excellent. Vegan food options very good. We enjoyed the summer entertainment programme as there were fun things for the children but all very relaxed and low key.

Our first visit and we'll definitely be back. Prosecco at check in and a bottle of champagne in the room was a very welcome surprise! Immediately felt at home in comfortable, clean family suite with sea view. Staff were generally outstanding (terrace bar could be slow). Included breakfast was excellent, as was the lunch and dinner service (I cannot see how anyone could consider it terrible as one recent reviewer did). The view has to be seen to be believed, photos do not do it justice... Spa (pool and thermal suite) are good but don't expect Chewton Glenn, it has perfectly good pool, sauna, steam room and jacuzzi but cannot compete with larger hotels whose main offering is their spa. Looking forward to coming back soon.