Kentisbury Grange

Kentisbury Grange, a Michelin Key Selected property nestled in the heart of the North Devon countryside, offers guests a blend of timeless elegance and contemporary sophistication. This elegantly restored Victorian country house, along with its modern garden suites and lodges, generally receives highly positive feedback for its serene setting, luxurious accommodations, and attentive service.

1. Overall Rating & Sentiment

The general consensus for Kentisbury Grange is overwhelmingly positive, with guests frequently describing their stays as "perfect," "exceptional," and "wonderful." The property is rated "very good" based on over 800 reviews, with high scores for staff, cleanliness, and location. Many express a strong desire to return, highlighting a sense of comfort and enjoyment throughout their visit.

2. Key Highlights

Guests consistently praise several aspects of Kentisbury Grange:

• Service: The staff are frequently described as friendly, helpful, pleasant, efficient, and welcoming, often going out of their way to make stays wonderful.
• Location: The hotel's "amazing location" amidst the serene rolling hills of the Devon countryside is a significant draw, offering quiet and picturesque surroundings. It's also noted for being a convenient base to explore North Devon, including Exmoor National Park, nearby beaches like Saunton and Woolacombe, and the historic town of Barnstaple.
• Design & Ambiance: The elegantly restored Victorian manor house blends classic beauty with contemporary sophistication. Guests appreciate the stunning rooms and buildings, the meticulously maintained grounds with manicured lawns and picturesque ponds, and the overall tranquil atmosphere.
• Amenities: Free WiFi, free parking, and pet-friendly options in the lodges are frequently mentioned. Some suites also feature hot tubs.

3. Room Quality

Kentisbury Grange offers a variety of accommodations, including suites and classic rooms in the main house, and contemporary garden suites and self-catering lodges in the grounds.

• Comfort & Design: Rooms are generally described as superb, warm, clean, welcoming, and luxurious. Classic rooms are noted for being very spacious and comfortable. Many rooms feature luxurious en-suite bathrooms with high-quality towels and toiletries, flat-screen TVs, and countryside views.
• Specific Features: Guests have highlighted "sumptuous decor, island-sized beds and rolltop baths." Some bathrooms are notably large, featuring stand-alone Victorian roll-top baths, double sink units, and walk-in showers with underfloor heating. The renovated rooms in the main house feature a timeless, muted color palette, exuding elegance and style. Lodges offer fully equipped kitchens and decked terraces.

4. Dining Experience

The on-site restaurant, The Coach House, is a significant highlight for many guests.

• Restaurant Quality: The food is consistently praised as delicious, excellent, and amazing. The restaurant offers a diverse menu with brasserie-style dishes and seasonal specials, featuring locally sourced ingredients.
• Breakfast: The breakfast, including full English/Irish, vegetarian, gluten-free, and continental options, receives high ratings and is often described as "amazing" and "delicious." Some consider it the "best full English breakfast" they've ever had.
• Atmosphere: The Coach House provides an elegant setting for dining, with a great atmosphere.
• Evolution of Dining: While previously known for fine dining under Michael Caines, The Coach House shifted its focus in 2020 to a more relaxed vibe, offering classic British pub dishes like fish and chips and Exmoor burgers, while maintaining sumptuous decor.

5. Service & Staff

The service at Kentisbury Grange receives exceptional reviews. Staff are consistently described as friendly, helpful, pleasant, efficient, and welcoming. Guests appreciate their attentiveness and willingness to provide recommendations for local attractions and dining. The staff score for Kentisbury Grange is notably high at 9.1.

6. Location & Accessibility

Kentisbury Grange is situated in a "beautiful countryside gem" on the edge of Exmoor National Park in North Devon.

• Neighborhood & Attractions: It offers a quiet and peaceful area with 360-degree views of green hills. It's an ideal base for exploring the region, with the North Devon coast, including the long sandy beaches of Saunton and Woolacombe, just an easy drive away. Other nearby attractions include Exmoor Zoo and National Trust properties.
• Transport: The hotel is conveniently located just off the A39, approximately 25 minutes from Barnstaple, making it relatively accessible. Free parking is available on site.

7. Value & Pricing

Many guests find Kentisbury Grange to offer "very good value for money," particularly considering the quality of the accommodation and the included amazing breakfast. While specific typical price ranges vary by dates and accommodation type, double rooms have been noted to start from around £110.

8. Common Complaints

While reviews are largely positive, some recurring issues and criticisms have been noted:

• Restaurant/Bar Closures: Several guests have reported the restaurant or bar being closed, particularly on Mondays, which can be inconvenient given the limited alternative dining options in the immediate area.
• Staffing Levels: Some guests have felt there weren't quite enough staff, despite their friendliness.
• Maintenance & Security (Historical): Older reviews mention that some rooms in the grange building could appear gloomy and decor a bit tired. There were also concerns about an unmanned reception desk in the old grange making the building feel less secure, and instances of uncleared items in guest sitting rooms. Poor communication prior to arrival and unreplenished shower gel have also been cited. It's important to note some of these complaints date back to before 2020 when the hotel briefly closed and reopened under new management, which may have addressed some infrastructural and operational issues.
• Check-in/Check-out Times: Check-in is from 4:00 PM and check-out is until 10:00 AM.

Sources

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11. luxurylifestylemag.co.uk
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