We’ve all been there: stressed out by the pace of hectic city life and earnestly looking for a relaxing break close to nature. The next time you find yourself feeling that way, look no further than Kentisbury Grange, a wonderful hotel set in North Devon. It’s the perfect weekend getaway with the best of everything: a luxury country hotel which brings together elegance, peace and natural beauty. Recently, I had an opportunity to stay at the property with my family and experience all the pleasures that this wonderful place has to offer. We opted for a 2-night stay at the hotel, and had an amazing time, soaking up nature, spending quality time together and recharging our batteries.
Kentisbury Grange offers two options in lodging, the Classic Room, and the Garden Suite. We stayed in the latter, which is separate from the main building and located in the quiet gardens of the property. The Garden Suites are ultra modern, yet close to nature, as they offer the perfect pleasant view of the Devon countryside. If you’re looking to experience the peace and beauty of nature in a modern setting, the Garden Suites are ideal.
Each suite is well-furnished, with contemporary interiors, a king-size bed and comfortable seating area. The bathrooms are spacious and equipped with under floor heating – a major plus when it’s chilly outside! My favourite part was the porch: a great space to enjoy the evening, with lots of privacy. The suites have impeccable amenities too, with an espresso coffee machine, flat screen TV, free Wi-Fi access, room safe, iron, fridge, and hair dryer – you’ll find everything you need! Needless to say, the stay in these suites is comfortable, despite the fact that they’re not located in the main building.
There are numerous Garden Suites available for guests who appreciate being surrounded by nature. Besides the abundance of greenery, there are three splendid ponds on the ground. These lovely ponds are adorned with pretty lotuses and have ducks, geese, and fishes. These excited my son so much that he even named one of the fish as Big Bad Baddy after the Ben and Holly character!
Now, let me say something about the scrumptious food we enjoyed at the Kentisbury Grange. The Coach House Restaurant by Michael Caines promises a culinary experience of a lifetime – and I believe that it truly lived up to the promise. The restaurant is run by the celebrated Michelin-starred chef Michael Caines, so expect to be blown away by the quality and curation of the food! The menus have been carefully designed by the seasoned chef himself, incorporating fresh local ingredients to create impeccable culinary delights. Guests can even have a meal created according to their special dietary requirements. The Bar Menu is equally exciting, with an extensive variety of wines, whiskies and cocktails.
We savored sumptuous meals at the Coach House Restaurant by Michael Caines during our stay. A hearty English breakfast made for a great start to our day. We also sampled a delicious 5-course meal here. I opted for the vegetarian menu while my husband opted for a regular one, and both were absolutely heavenly. It’s easy to see that the restaurant works as much on the presentation and plating of the food as it does on the taste – making for a memorable dining experience. The dessert was awesome too, melting right as we took a bite and creating the perfect sweet note to end the meal with.
The visit to the Woolacombe Beach was another highlight of the trip, and I highly recommend making the trip. Located just 30 minutes from the hotel, the golden sandy beach is a favorite retreat for tourists in North Devon.
All in all, we had a wonderful time at Kentisbury Grange. Though our stay was short – our trip started on Friday evening and came to an end on Sunday afternoon – we carried unforgettable memories home, along with a promise to return soon.
