Gidleigh Park

Gidleigh Park: A Michelin Two-Key Retreat of Unparalleled Countryside Luxury

Gidleigh Park, a distinguished Michelin Two-Key property nestled in the picturesque Dartmoor National Park, consistently earns high praise from guests for its exquisite blend of traditional English charm, exceptional service, and world-class dining. This Relais & Châteaux hotel offers a luxurious and tranquil escape, making it a highly recommended destination for those seeking an indulgent country retreat.

1. Overall Rating & Sentiment

The general consensus for Gidleigh Park is overwhelmingly positive, with guests frequently describing their stays as "superb" and "delightful". Many express a strong desire to return, highlighting the hotel as a truly exceptional experience. It consistently receives high ratings across various categories, including comfort (9.7) and staff (9.6) on booking platforms.

2. Key Highlights

Guests consistently laud several aspects of Gidleigh Park:

• Service: The service is repeatedly described as impeccable, friendly, attentive, welcoming, warm, helpful, and knowledgeable, contributing to a "thoroughly relaxed but very smooth-running operation".
• Location: The hotel's setting is a major draw, situated on the edge of Dartmoor National Park within 107 acres of mature grounds, featuring woodlands, a river, and breathtaking views that evoke a "fairytale forest".
• Design: Gidleigh Park exudes a "lovely country house vibe" within a 16th-century Tudor-style manor. The individually styled accommodation blends antique charm with contemporary comforts, featuring pieces from the Brownsword collection of Arts and Crafts era furniture. Plush lounges and panelled dining rooms add to the elegant ambiance.
• Amenities: The extensive grounds offer walking routes, a Peter Alliss 18-hole putting golf course, a tennis court, and a croquet lawn. The hotel also provides a boot room for guests exploring the outdoors and is notably dog-friendly, offering a "five-star welcome" with biscuits, balls, and feeding bowls for canine companions. Free private parking is available.

3. Room Quality

Rooms at Gidleigh Park are celebrated for their comfort, spaciousness, and individual character. Guests describe them as beautifully appointed and clean. Each of the 24 rooms is individually designed, offering views over the grounds and featuring flat-screen TVs and en-suite bathrooms. Suites may boast features like vast showers and claw-footed baths, gilt-edged mirrors, and walnut woods, providing a warm and stately feel. The design leans towards a traditional country house style with leaded windows, providing a sense of being immediately at home.

4. Dining Experience

The dining experience at Gidleigh Park is a major highlight, with its restaurant holding a prestigious Michelin star. The cuisine is described as imaginative, exquisite, accomplished, and full of "unexpected and extraordinary delights". Dishes are prepared using locally sourced West Country ingredients, including fresh herbs and fruits from the hotel's own kitchen garden. Diners often report a "wow experience of old-world style and service".

The restaurant offers a three-course à la carte menu, priced at approximately £75 for lunch and £135 for dinner per person. An extensive wine list, featuring around 9,000 bottles and knowledgeable sommeliers, complements the meals. Breakfast is equally lauded, with excellent choices ranging from a generous full English (both vegetarian and meat options) to continental selections and unique dishes like coconut bircha or avocado with eggs, halloumi, honey, and harissa.

5. Service & Staff

The staff at Gidleigh Park consistently receive exceptional praise. They are frequently described as welcoming, kind, professional, knowledgeable, attentive, and friendly without being overly formal. Guests appreciate the "warmth and friendliness" that contributes to a relaxing atmosphere, with staff making every effort to ensure a memorable stay.

6. Location & Accessibility

Gidleigh Park is remotely and beautifully located in a wooded valley on the edge of Dartmoor National Park, just a six-minute drive from the village of Chagford. The estate itself offers numerous walking routes, with opportunities to explore nearby Gidleigh Castle or stroll through the 107 acres of grounds.

However, accessibility is a recurring point of note. The approach to the hotel involves navigating "very narrow winding lanes" or a "single track road," which some guests describe as "not for the faint-hearted driver". Despite this, the consensus is that the destination is "worth it".

7. Value & Pricing

Gidleigh Park is positioned as a luxury destination, and its pricing reflects the high-end experience it offers. Overnight stays typically start from around £297 per room, including breakfast. Special packages, such as a "Michelin Star Celebration Stay," can be priced from approximately £530 per room per night, which includes dinner and champagne. While many guests find the experience justifies the cost, some recent reviews have mentioned "meagre portions overpriced and uninteresting" on the lunch and dinner menus, leading to an 8.3 rating for value for money on some platforms.

8. Common Complaints

While overwhelmingly positive, some minor recurring criticisms include:

• Difficult Access Road: The narrow, winding, single-track road leading to the hotel is consistently mentioned as challenging to navigate for drivers.
• Dining Portions/Value: Some recent feedback indicates that certain lunch and dinner portions might be perceived as "meagre" or "overpriced".
• In-Room Amenities: A few guests have noted the absence of tea/coffee making facilities in the rooms.
• Wi-Fi Connectivity: Occasional reports of "terrible" Wi-Fi have been made.
• Minor Maintenance: Very occasional mentions of minor issues such as ripped curtain linings or un-vacuumed extractor covers.
• No Lift: While understandable for a historic building, the lack of a lift is noted by some.

Sources

1. booking.com
2. booking.com
3. hardens.com
4. greatbritishlife.co.uk
5. thegentlemansjournal.com
6. countrylife.co.uk
7. sainsburysmagazine.co.uk
8. expedia.co.uk
9. theweek.com
10. gidleigh.co.uk
11. andyhayler.com