The Royal Hotel
➔
➔
Please select your travel dates to see rates and availability
Info
Summary of reviewsThe Royal Hotel in Devon receives high marks for several aspects, making it a favored choice among visitors. Its prime location near the quay, Lundy Island excursions and the Tarka Trail, alongside a short walk to Bideford’s town center and attractions, stands out as a significant advantage. The historic charm of the building adds to its appeal, complemented by scenic river views from many rooms. Though there are occasional mentions of noise from the nearby main road, the convenience of its location and abundant amenities, including private parking, are highly praised.
Breakfast at The Royal Hotel is widely celebrated for its variety and quality with standout items like smoked haddock and a Full English breakfast receiving particular acclaim. While service can sometimes be inconsistent, the friendly staff and the overall delicious offerings justify the breakfast's cost. Dinner experiences mirror this positivity with guests consistently noting the superb food quality, comprehensive menu and excellent service, despite rare critiques of service speed and dish quality.
The rooms at The Royal Hotel blend classic charm with modern comfort, frequently described as spacious, clean and well-furnished. High ceilings, comfortable beds and historical decor enhance the guest experience, although some rooms could benefit from minor refurbishments. Cleanliness is generally upheld to a high standard throughout the hotel, further bolstered by the efficient and attentive cleaning staff.
The hotel staff receive glowing reviews for their professionalism, friendliness and willingness to go the extra mile, significantly enriching guest stays. This exceptional service extends to the restaurant staff, contributing to a pleasant dining atmosphere.
With its comfortable, sizeable beds receiving consistent praise and the rare mention of discomfort, The Royal Hotel ensures a restful sleep for most guests. Its three-star rating does not detract from the experience; many find it to be excellent value for money, appreciating the blend of historic charm and modern conveniences, albeit within a slightly dated decor.
Accessibility is another positive aspect with the presence of lifts and ground floor rooms aiding guests with mobility issues, although improvements could be made in some areas, such as accessible parking practices.
The hotel's rich history and luxurious, old-style decor delight visitors, preserving the Victorian roots and traditional seaside hotel feel. Maintaining original features and incorporating historical elements like the Palm Court restaurant add to its unique charm.
Dog owners find The Royal Hotel particularly accommodating, especially with its lift access and proximity to the Tarka Trail. Friendly staff also ensure a pleasant stay for guests with pets, despite some minor logistical and policy-related challenges.
In summary, The Royal Hotel in Devon offers a blend of historical elegance, modern comforts, excellent service and a welcoming atmosphere for both guests and their pets, making it a well-regarded choice for travelers seeking a memorable stay in Bideford.
Categories
Breakfast at The Royal Hotel is widely celebrated for its variety and quality with standout items like smoked haddock and a Full English breakfast receiving particular acclaim. While service can sometimes be inconsistent, the friendly staff and the overall delicious offerings justify the breakfast's cost. Dinner experiences mirror this positivity with guests consistently noting the superb food quality, comprehensive menu and excellent service, despite rare critiques of service speed and dish quality.
The rooms at The Royal Hotel blend classic charm with modern comfort, frequently described as spacious, clean and well-furnished. High ceilings, comfortable beds and historical decor enhance the guest experience, although some rooms could benefit from minor refurbishments. Cleanliness is generally upheld to a high standard throughout the hotel, further bolstered by the efficient and attentive cleaning staff.
The hotel staff receive glowing reviews for their professionalism, friendliness and willingness to go the extra mile, significantly enriching guest stays. This exceptional service extends to the restaurant staff, contributing to a pleasant dining atmosphere.
With its comfortable, sizeable beds receiving consistent praise and the rare mention of discomfort, The Royal Hotel ensures a restful sleep for most guests. Its three-star rating does not detract from the experience; many find it to be excellent value for money, appreciating the blend of historic charm and modern conveniences, albeit within a slightly dated decor.
Accessibility is another positive aspect with the presence of lifts and ground floor rooms aiding guests with mobility issues, although improvements could be made in some areas, such as accessible parking practices.
The hotel's rich history and luxurious, old-style decor delight visitors, preserving the Victorian roots and traditional seaside hotel feel. Maintaining original features and incorporating historical elements like the Palm Court restaurant add to its unique charm.
Dog owners find The Royal Hotel particularly accommodating, especially with its lift access and proximity to the Tarka Trail. Friendly staff also ensure a pleasant stay for guests with pets, despite some minor logistical and policy-related challenges.
In summary, The Royal Hotel in Devon offers a blend of historical elegance, modern comforts, excellent service and a welcoming atmosphere for both guests and their pets, making it a well-regarded choice for travelers seeking a memorable stay in Bideford.
Historic Guest House
Located on Barnstaple Street in Bideford, The Royal Hotel offers a historic stay in a traditional setting. Its architecture and location contribute to the town's charm.
Dog Friendly Guest House
The Royal Hotel welcomes dogs in designated rooms for an additional fee. It is located directly on the Tarka Trail and near dog-friendly beaches. Dogs are welcome in the Merchants Bistro and the bar area.
3-Star Guest House
Known for its helpful and friendly staff and excellent service. The rooms offer lovely views. It provides a comfortable stay with a good location.
Guest House with Free Wi-Fi
Accessible Guest House
Guest Reviews
The Royal Hotel in Devon shines for its superb location, making it a popular choice for those seeking proximity to Bideford’s attractions. Its ideal spot near the quay offers easy access to Lundy Island excursions, while the positioning along the Tarka Trail is perfect for cycling enthusiasts. The hotel is conveniently near the town center, just a short walk or quick drive from the main attractions, local shops and the riverfront.
Guests appreciate the ease of access from major roads like the A39 and the availability of private parking is considered a bonus. The historic design of the building, coupled with its central location, adds to its charm and appeal. Many found the scenic views of the river from their rooms delightful, further enhancing their stay.
Despite a few mentions of the busy and sometimes noisy main road nearby, the positive feedback overwhelmingly highlights the hotel's convenience and pleasant surroundings. The combination of friendly, attentive staff, cleanliness and proximity to both town amenities and beautiful walking trails seals The Royal Hotel as a reliable and well-loved option for visitors to Devon.
The Royal Hotel offers a breakfast experience widely praised by guests for its variety, taste and quality. Reviews frequently highlight the delicious and well-cooked food, including standout items like omelettes, smoked haddock and a solid Full English breakfast. The breakfast menu is extensive with both continental and cooked options, ensuring guests have plenty of choices.
The breakfast service sometimes receives mixed feedback regarding organization and timeliness with occasional reports of undercooked eggs and items not being as hot as preferred. Despite these hiccups, the lovely and helpful staff contribute positively to the dining experience.
Guests note breakfast can be on the pricier side with a few mentioning it as an expensive add-on to their stay. Nevertheless, many feel the quality and range justify the cost, appreciating the ample servings and beautifully served dishes.
The breakfast setting, coupled with the overall warmth and comfort of the hotel, rounds out a largely satisfying start to the day, making breakfast one of the notable aspects of staying at The Royal Hotel.
The dinner experience at The Royal Hotel's restaurant has garnered high praise from many guests for its exceptional food quality and friendly service. Reviews consistently highlight the delicious and superbly prepared meals with many guests describing the food as excellent, amazing and extremely tasty. A variety of dishes and large portions seem to be a consistent feature with some diners remarking that the restaurant exceeded their expectations in both flavor and presentation.
The service provided by the restaurant staff is also frequently commended for being efficient and friendly, enhancing the overall dining atmosphere. The comprehensiveness of the dinner menu offers a wide range of choices with many diners finding the selection both varied and appealing.
While the majority of reviews are positive, there are a few mentions of slower service times and occasional critiques, such as the quality of supposedly fresh bread or an overdone roast dinner. However, these instances appear to be exceptions rather than the rule.
Overall, The Royal Hotel's restaurant provides a memorable dining experience with high-quality, delicious meals and attentive service, making it a highly recommended spot for dinner during your stay.
The Royal Hotel presents a classic charm with modern comforts that largely impress guests. Despite some reservations about room sizes and occasional noise from traffic, the majority of reviews highlight spacious, clean and beautifully furnished accommodations. Rooms are often described as large, airy and tastefully decorated with high ceilings and comfortable beds ensuring a good night’s sleep. Many guests appreciated complimentary room upgrades to more luxurious suites, which further enhanced their stay.
The historical decor adds to the aesthetic appeal with lovely original features and large windows offering great views over the river or estuary. While some rooms were noted to be a bit dated or in need of minor refurbishments, they were consistently reported as clean and well-maintained. Guests frequently praised the comfortable furnishings and well-appointed bathrooms, even if a few found them small or in need of modernization.
Overall, The Royal Hotel is well-regarded for its excellent room quality, comfort and historical charm, making it a delightful stay for visitors.
The Royal Hotel has garnered a range of reviews about its bedding, highlighting a strong trend towards comfort. Many guests described their beds as large, very comfortable and conducive to a good night's sleep. Phrases such as "super comfy," "comfy bed," and "very comfortable" frequently appeared in guest feedback, suggesting that the hotel generally succeeds in providing a restful sleep environment. The beds were often praised for their size with mentions of "king size" and "massive" beds, indicating ample space for a comfortable night.
However, there were occasional remarks indicating that not all guests found the beds to their liking. Some mentioned beds being too soft or, alternatively, too hard. Despite these outliers, the overall sentiment leans heavily towards positive with many guests appreciating the comfort and spaciousness of the beds and rooms. Cleanliness and tidiness also received positive notes, enhancing the overall appeal. The staff at the hotel were noted for their helpfulness, adding to the pleasant experience. While not without its minor flaws, The Royal Hotel's bed offerings appear to significantly contribute to a satisfying stay for most of its guests.
The Royal Hotel boasts a commendable reputation for maintaining excellent cleanliness standards. Guests frequently highlight the spotlessly clean rooms, bathrooms and public areas, making it a comfortable and inviting place to stay. The general hotel cleanliness is impressive, including the well-maintained corridors and common spaces. However, occasional issues include some carpets with stains, mould in some areas and infrequent dust accumulation, indicating occasional lapses in the regular cleaning schedule. Despite these minor imperfections, the hotel overall presents itself as very clean and well-maintained with fluffy towels and fresh linen adding to the sense of hygiene. The cleaning staff receives praise for their efficiency and attention to detail, making guests' stays more comfortable. In summary, The Royal Hotel's cleanliness standards are generally high, contributing significantly to its positive guest experiences.
The reviews of 'The Royal Hotel' paint a glowing picture of the staff, who received high praise for their helpfulness, friendliness and professionalism. Many guests commented on the courteous and welcoming demeanor of the staff, noting that they were always attentive and went the extra mile to ensure a pleasant stay. Specific commendations were given to the reception staff, restaurant staff and evening staff for their excellent service, efficiency and politeness.
The staff were frequently described as friendly, lovely and approachable, contributing to a warm and inviting atmosphere throughout the hotel. Instances of exceptional service include helping guests locate transportation, providing free upgrades and offering a friendly reception on arrival. The restaurant staff also earned high marks for being polite and efficient, ensuring a pleasant dining experience.
Despite an isolated complaint regarding the management, the overall sentiment towards the staff was overwhelmingly positive. Guests felt well taken care of and appreciated the high level of service, professionalism and the genuine, friendly interactions they experienced with the staff at The Royal Hotel.
The Royal Hotel, an unpretentious 3-star establishment, has garnered a variety of feedback from its guests. Despite its age and slightly dated decor, it is often praised for its excellent service and accommodating staff, making it a great place to stay. Many guests found the hotel to be good value for the price with some even describing it as luxurious for a three-star. The reasonable pricing and great value for money make it a smart choice for budget-conscious travelers.
The hotel's location is particularly advantageous for those walking the South West coastal path and the atmosphere in the old building with character has been appreciated by visitors. Although the proximity to the road can be a bit noisy, it has not posed a significant problem for most guests. Some were pleasantly surprised by room upgrades, enhancing their stay with more beautiful accommodations.
Overall, The Royal Hotel provides a comfortable, characterful and wallet-friendly option for travelers, delivering impressive service within the scope of its three-star rating.
The Royal Hotel offers commendable accessibility features despite a few shortcomings. The presence of a lift facilitates easy room access, which is particularly beneficial for guests with mobility issues and those accompanied by elderly or disabled pets. Ground floor room options are available, providing convenient access for all guests.
Navigating the hotel is generally simple and the secure car park, positioned just across a narrow road, ensures ease for guests arriving by car. However, the crossing to the car park can be dangerous and accessible parking spaces may sometimes be misused by able-bodied drivers.
Although some bathrooms feature showers over baths, the overall room accessibility remains positive. The hotel could benefit from minor repairs and updates, particularly in the bathroom areas.
Overall, the hotel succeeds in being very accessible with comfortable beds and necessary amenities, enhancing the stay for guests requiring additional accommodations.
The Royal Hotel stands as a fine old-style establishment, imbued with a lot of fascinating history and elegance. This wonderful old building is superbly maintained, preserving its lovely original features and historic wood-paneled staircases and landings. The Palm Court restaurant within the hotel evokes a sense of 1920s romance, adding to the overall charm and unique ambiance.
Guests frequently admire the luxurious and interesting decor, which has a strong traditional seaside hotel feel. Despite its old-fashioned decor and heritage ambiance, the hotel retains its period charm while providing modern comforts. Historical value is evident throughout, from the conference room to the intriguing dedicated entrance from a now-disused railway station platform, which has since become part of the Tarka Trail.
The Victorian roots of the hotel are beautifully showcased in its decoration and the character of the building itself. The Royal Hotel’s traditional old-style appeal is enhanced by its well-kept and superbly cleaned premises, contributing to its lovely atmosphere. It is not just an impressive historic building, but also one with a splendid character, continuing to expand and adapt through generations.
Overall, the Royal Hotel is a beautifully decorated landmark with a rich history, lovely staff and good food, making it a true historic gem in the heart of Bideford.
The Royal Hotel is known for its welcoming atmosphere towards dog owners and their furry companions. Conveniently located near the Tarka Trail, it offers a prime location for non-resident dog walkers and those looking to enjoy outdoor activities with their pets. The hotel is particularly accommodating to older dogs; the lift access is a notable perk for guests with senior dogs.
Guests have highlighted the friendliness and responsiveness of the hotel staff, who consistently meet expectations and provide great service, making travelers feel at ease with their dogs. However, there are some logistical challenges noted, such as navigating the hotel from the attic floor to outdoor areas, which can feel like a bit of a maze.
While the hotel generally allows dogs, there was some uncertainty about their presence in the restaurant and some guests mentioned a nightly rate for dogs that was less than ideal. Overall, The Royal Hotel is praised as a very dog-friendly establishment with a good breakfast and staff that goes above and beyond to accommodate guests and their pets.
Location Show Map
Location
Guests appreciate the ease of access from major roads like the A39 and the availability of private parking is considered a bonus. The historic design of the building, coupled with its central location, adds to its charm and appeal. Many found the scenic views of the river from their rooms delightful, further enhancing their stay.
Despite a few mentions of the busy and sometimes noisy main road nearby, the positive feedback overwhelmingly highlights the hotel's convenience and pleasant surroundings. The combination of friendly, attentive staff, cleanliness and proximity to both town amenities and beautiful walking trails seals The Royal Hotel as a reliable and well-loved option for visitors to Devon.
Breakfast
The breakfast service sometimes receives mixed feedback regarding organization and timeliness with occasional reports of undercooked eggs and items not being as hot as preferred. Despite these hiccups, the lovely and helpful staff contribute positively to the dining experience.
Guests note breakfast can be on the pricier side with a few mentioning it as an expensive add-on to their stay. Nevertheless, many feel the quality and range justify the cost, appreciating the ample servings and beautifully served dishes.
The breakfast setting, coupled with the overall warmth and comfort of the hotel, rounds out a largely satisfying start to the day, making breakfast one of the notable aspects of staying at The Royal Hotel.
Dinner
The service provided by the restaurant staff is also frequently commended for being efficient and friendly, enhancing the overall dining atmosphere. The comprehensiveness of the dinner menu offers a wide range of choices with many diners finding the selection both varied and appealing.
While the majority of reviews are positive, there are a few mentions of slower service times and occasional critiques, such as the quality of supposedly fresh bread or an overdone roast dinner. However, these instances appear to be exceptions rather than the rule.
Overall, The Royal Hotel's restaurant provides a memorable dining experience with high-quality, delicious meals and attentive service, making it a highly recommended spot for dinner during your stay.
Rooms
The historical decor adds to the aesthetic appeal with lovely original features and large windows offering great views over the river or estuary. While some rooms were noted to be a bit dated or in need of minor refurbishments, they were consistently reported as clean and well-maintained. Guests frequently praised the comfortable furnishings and well-appointed bathrooms, even if a few found them small or in need of modernization.
Overall, The Royal Hotel is well-regarded for its excellent room quality, comfort and historical charm, making it a delightful stay for visitors.
Beds
However, there were occasional remarks indicating that not all guests found the beds to their liking. Some mentioned beds being too soft or, alternatively, too hard. Despite these outliers, the overall sentiment leans heavily towards positive with many guests appreciating the comfort and spaciousness of the beds and rooms. Cleanliness and tidiness also received positive notes, enhancing the overall appeal. The staff at the hotel were noted for their helpfulness, adding to the pleasant experience. While not without its minor flaws, The Royal Hotel's bed offerings appear to significantly contribute to a satisfying stay for most of its guests.
Cleanliness
Staff
The staff were frequently described as friendly, lovely and approachable, contributing to a warm and inviting atmosphere throughout the hotel. Instances of exceptional service include helping guests locate transportation, providing free upgrades and offering a friendly reception on arrival. The restaurant staff also earned high marks for being polite and efficient, ensuring a pleasant dining experience.
Despite an isolated complaint regarding the management, the overall sentiment towards the staff was overwhelmingly positive. Guests felt well taken care of and appreciated the high level of service, professionalism and the genuine, friendly interactions they experienced with the staff at The Royal Hotel.
3 Star
The hotel's location is particularly advantageous for those walking the South West coastal path and the atmosphere in the old building with character has been appreciated by visitors. Although the proximity to the road can be a bit noisy, it has not posed a significant problem for most guests. Some were pleasantly surprised by room upgrades, enhancing their stay with more beautiful accommodations.
Overall, The Royal Hotel provides a comfortable, characterful and wallet-friendly option for travelers, delivering impressive service within the scope of its three-star rating.
Accessible
Navigating the hotel is generally simple and the secure car park, positioned just across a narrow road, ensures ease for guests arriving by car. However, the crossing to the car park can be dangerous and accessible parking spaces may sometimes be misused by able-bodied drivers.
Although some bathrooms feature showers over baths, the overall room accessibility remains positive. The hotel could benefit from minor repairs and updates, particularly in the bathroom areas.
Overall, the hotel succeeds in being very accessible with comfortable beds and necessary amenities, enhancing the stay for guests requiring additional accommodations.
Historic
Guests frequently admire the luxurious and interesting decor, which has a strong traditional seaside hotel feel. Despite its old-fashioned decor and heritage ambiance, the hotel retains its period charm while providing modern comforts. Historical value is evident throughout, from the conference room to the intriguing dedicated entrance from a now-disused railway station platform, which has since become part of the Tarka Trail.
The Victorian roots of the hotel are beautifully showcased in its decoration and the character of the building itself. The Royal Hotel’s traditional old-style appeal is enhanced by its well-kept and superbly cleaned premises, contributing to its lovely atmosphere. It is not just an impressive historic building, but also one with a splendid character, continuing to expand and adapt through generations.
Overall, the Royal Hotel is a beautifully decorated landmark with a rich history, lovely staff and good food, making it a true historic gem in the heart of Bideford.
Dog Friendly
Guests have highlighted the friendliness and responsiveness of the hotel staff, who consistently meet expectations and provide great service, making travelers feel at ease with their dogs. However, there are some logistical challenges noted, such as navigating the hotel from the attic floor to outdoor areas, which can feel like a bit of a maze.
While the hotel generally allows dogs, there was some uncertainty about their presence in the restaurant and some guests mentioned a nightly rate for dogs that was less than ideal. Overall, The Royal Hotel is praised as a very dog-friendly establishment with a good breakfast and staff that goes above and beyond to accommodate guests and their pets.
No, The Royal Hotel doesn't have any pool.
No, a spa isn't available at The Royal Hotel.
Yes, The Royal Hotel welcomes dogs.
No, parking facilities aren't available at The Royal Hotel.
No, The Royal Hotel doesn't have a gym.
Location Show Map
More Options
