The Fox and Hounds Country Hotel — Hotel in Mid Devon

Well we have just returned from a long weekend and from a rather special event that was a weekend of playing board games.

The occasion was booked some time ago and we arrived just after 3pm after both having had a pretty busy week at work. We were both hopeful that the next 48 hours would be a chance to relax and have some ‘time out’.

We were not disappointed…

Arriving in the grounds of this lovely hotel set in glorious North Devon on the river Taw we were immediately greeted by owners Matt and Helen in a friendly, warm and engaging manner that set the tone for our entire stay. More shortly.

We went for a ‘standard’ room as we knew we would spent little time in it, it was lovely. Clean and everything we needed including well supplied coffee, tea and Biscotti biscuits - excellent! The shower was good with plentiful amounts of hot water and the bed super comfy and excellent, luxury, bedding (we want to buy some just like it). Despite being early March and energy costs soaring the room was more than warm enough, as was the entire building. We felt there was no skimping and felt well looked after.

The food was delicious too, a buffet evening meal provided plenty of tasty food and a good choice of beers from the bar. The set dinner the following day was excellent, lovely round tables, name plates, fabulous lighting and in the background the smell of the log fire, another ‘note’ which we enjoyed throughout the weekend. My favourite meal was actually breakfast, again plenty of it. Excellent sausages, silky scrambled egg, buttery mushrooms and everything else one might expect including juices and croissants, you get the picture.

The final thing I must mention was the staff. Always smiling, always polite, nothing was too much trouble but they also weren’t too deferential, they were people who clearly enjoyed what they were doing and got pleasure by making sure the guests were happy. This can only be systemic, it is evident that Matt and Helen treat them well and this just filters through. And, at least in my experience, this was without exception. I want to support a hotel that supports its staff so well in what they do.

I could mention the lovely walks along the riverbank of the Taw within the 8 acres of grounds, the proximity to Eggesford train station, the dog friendliness in ten abundance of snacks, the cute toddler in the foyer who behaved flawlessly etc etc

So thank you, we had a great time, we relaxed and we were so glad we came. Hoping to see you for...

We have just come away from the Fox and Hounds after a 3 night stay. ||We paid a little extra for the suite but it was so worth it! Beautifully decorated, immaculately clean and spacious - the perfect home from home. We were surprised at the attention to detail, a full kitchen with every utensil needed and even leaving some little doggy biscuits to welcome the furry guest. The grounds are well maintained and staff more than friendly towards dogs. ||We paid with dining included, at £35 pp per night for dinner upfront. Unfortunately, we did not feel this is value for money. ||With soggy burgers, cold breakfast and at times inattentive staff, the “service” was lacking. More worryingly, seafood came out consistently barely warm or cold, making it inedible. One manager left us with no drinks for over an hour, meaning we had to share a single glass of water. ||Food is not value for money and not as premium as advertised. When checking out we expressed this disappointment to the hotel, providing an opportunity to rectify further - instead we had to pay £10 for additional drinks. ||Rather disappointingly, we were promised that the first meal would wiped, only now we have left the hotel we find these so call “promises” are empty and only being refunded 20% of what we were promised (still far below what we would want to pay). Further still, I was told no one was available, but my partner was put straight through to a manager showing clear avoidance of the issue. ||Whilst the room was nice, the food and post-stay service has been abysmal and unfortunately completely overshadowed what few benefits the hotel has. We would like to thank the head of Housekeeping and interior designers who gave us something to praise...

I booked via Booking.com and in fairness should have checked the hotels website re accessibility as Booking.com does not really mention this. I am waiting for a hip replacement and so have difficulty with stairs. However, we arrived early before the check in time as we had an 80th birthday party a few miles away that started at 1pm. Told rooms not ready as they had a wedding and if I needed to change I could use the toilet facilities downstairs! When I got back from the party at 10pm and checked in, my single room on the first floor (no lift) and for which I paid £116 was awful. It reeked of cigarette smoke despite a clear no smoking policy. I had to navigate the staircase once again to return to reception to be asked rather bluntly, what I expected them to do about it as they were fully booked and could not offer me another room. The receptionist came to my room with me, opened the window to air it, sprayed it with air freshener which she left in the room, and departed. So it was a chilly night, and rather marred a wonderful afternoons celebrations. The awful smell kept me awake, and daylight revealed that my cupboard of a room, was actually in a bit of a state. Yellowed paint on the walls, peeling wallpaper, dirty radiators, mould on the bathroom ceiling…. And more. |A complaint at the reception desk when checking out resulted in the manager offering me a meager £20 refund, and a chance to ‘enter a draw to win a nights stay’ ….. I think not. I suppose a small refund is better than no refund at all, but I certainly would not return...