Hotel Riviera

Large, airy bay-window room looking out on the promenade and sea (room 202). Very friendly and helpful staff. The dining room was beautifully decorated and included prints of Regency Sidmouth. The five course dinner was the best we have ever had anywhere in the UK.

Had a lovely 3 night break . Hotel almost everything we expected. Spotlessly clean, wonderful food and such wonderful staff. The only thing to let it down was the shortage of staff which often lead to long waits for food and drinks. Such a shame as the staff were let down by something out of their control . They always had a smile and a friendly word. Overall we enjoyed our stay .

Hotel still provides the high standards it is known for, food excellent as always but there are changes being applied. Hotel has been fortunate over the years to have some very loyal key staff who steer the ship. Some of these are now gone for varying reasons and a number of new younger staff have come in. Whilst all the new staff witnessed continue to conduct themselves to the high standards used to seeing the impact of this is the senior staff that remain have to carry out multiple roles which appears to be impacting morale. This needs monitoring closely. In order to address the issue of underused bar trade new initiatives during daytime have been applied to attract more trade e.g happy hour, beach party etc. which is all good and hope they succeed. However no additional evening activities were experienced during my short stay indeed resourcing of bar seems to have been reduced. Mostly unmanned and closes at 10pm as staff have multiple roles taking them away. Closing at 10 is not typical of UK hotels and drinking habits. I see no problem of manning during the day but if numbers can't justify costs of manning later then suggest night port is given powers to serve late and provide means of quickly getting service in normal hours i.e bell, phone or camera etc rather than waiting then have to go hunting staff, not appealing to see an empty bar and non-residents were witnessed as close to walking out until service was drummed up for them. I appreciate that it must be challenging to balance costs and still maintain standards and hopefully the management can find a route and look forward to continue to support the hotel.

I dont usually complain but we were really looking forward to an afternoon tea curtsey of a family member buying us a voucher.Well when we arrived noone around walked around until someone approached us.I asked at time of booking for tuna sandwich rather than Salmon.Well the choice of sandwiches were terrible 1 finger egg sandwich not even one each cheap cucumber cream cheese , just ham ,and tuna thats it on the savoury,couldnt tell you what small cube like cakes were and for £60 .00 for 2 i found it really bad not on quantity but the selection it was awful.Left the scones as they were dry all in all a VERY bad experience and will never go back or recommend.I must say the waiter was very good and did get extra sandwiches but they were exactly like the ones we had.Again it wasnt quantity it was lack of anything other than sandwiches i would of expected maybe a mini sausage roll or something, and maybe a mini sweet tartlet instead of cubed cake.I really think they need to have a look at what their offering .

We went for dinner at the Riviera recently snd were delighted with both the service and the delicious dinner we were served …. Most comfortable dining room good ambiance and lovely view of the sea front .. will definitely be back … a very lovely relaxing evening

Traditional quality and helpful service Food excellent and eating an unrushed experience.Ideal situation overlooking the beach and Lyme bay.Road and sea front quiet in the evening shops and entertainment nearby.Highly recommended hotel for a few nights stay