Simonsbath House Hotel — Hotel in Great Britain

I have just returned from a four night stay at Simonsbath House Hotel for an Alpha Painting Holiday. |The hotel is very old but comfortable and spotlessly clean and from the moment I arrived, I was made to feel very welcome. Andrew, the owner, is a man of boundless enthusiasm and extremely knowledgeable about the local area. There is a lot of history to the hotel itself and he was able to share some of the stories with us.|The rooms have everything you need to keep you comfortable and you are provided with a hospitality tray to allow you to make your own tea and coffee. You are also given a glass bottle of drinking water every day and a small bottle of fresh milk if required - these can be replenished anytime by visiting the reception desk. There is absolutely NO mobile signal unless you are on EE network, however I found the Wi-Fi to be very good and was able to phone home via the internet. I was also able to stream something on iplayer without a problem. This is a great place for star-gazing if that’s your thing; the hotel is in a designated dark sky area and it’s really worth going outside and looking up if you are blessed with a clear night.|The hotel has a lounge filled with comfy old leather sofas and a fireplace and adjacent to this is an incredibly well stocked bar! There is also an extensive wine list with a range to suit any budget.|Now of course, I need to mention the food. Wow! A twice daily highlight to look forward to! Although we were on a limited menu as we were a group booking, every meal was a joy, from perfectly cooked poached eggs with breakfast to a fabulous three course dinner in the evening. Over the four night stay, I enjoyed sea bass, slow cooked rib of beef, baked salmon fillet with Hollandaise and Somerset lamb and that was just the mains! Starters and homemade desserts were wonderful too and I can’t mention them all but suffice to say, a creme brûlée with a perfect crisp caramel top is certainly the way to my heart. |Finally, I would like to extend a huge thank you to Andrew and Louise for making us feel at home and looking after us so well, thus making my painting holiday...

Simonsbath House is the oldest property on all of Exmoor, and, for over a century, the only property. The charming old place is sympathetically maintained by Andrew and his team who offer a truly memorable experience. We came for a week as part of an “Alpha Painting Holiday”, whereby the property was booked out for the dozen or so attendees of the course.||||Enjoy a cocktail before dinner in the old-style lounge, with its heavy leather upholstery and wood panelling that remind me of a classic murder-mystery setting. The chef has been with the House for some ten years (itself a testament to the loyalty of the staff), and the kitchen is first-rate. British dishes of excellence abound, with well-executed deviations into European favourites. I have the difficult task of having to eat rather a lot as part of my professional role, and can safely say that the Simonsbath House menu is a true delight. You may put on some weight, but I think that’s a risk you’re going to have to take.||||The pretty house and fine kitchens, however, would be nothing without the traditional and attentive hosting of Andrew, who very literally went the extra mile for us - thanks again, we’ll be better at driving next time. He sets himself the goal of ensuring that all guests feel personally welcome and included, which he achieves very well – even down to my two young sons.||||I could not recommend Simonsbath House Hotel enough for those wishing to catch a glimpse of traditional Exmoor while enjoying some seriously good hospitality. Make room for a negroni before dinner and you’ll...

My 3rd time staying here for a wonderful Alpha Painting Holiday, and again Andrew, Louise and their team made us instantly warm and welcome. Andrew can tell you all the amazing history of this characterful old hotel, plus tales from the area, around the blazing log fire beside the bar. The rooms are tastefully appointed, comfortable, with peaceful views down the lovely Barle valley. There is a spacious, well lit studio for indoor creativity. Great choice for breakfasts, Chef serves up a limited menu of imaginative, delicious gourmet dinners, while packed lunch sandwiches are generous and tasty. There are delightful walks through meadows and woodland right outside, with river, deer, ponies and birdsong all near. On clear nights, the starscape is spectacular in this "dark sky" area. Just bring a torch! ||The hotel is best reached by car. The train station at Tiverton is 50 mins (taxi drive) away, Barnstable is approx. 30 mins. I can certainly recommend both Simonsbath House Hotel and Alpha...