The Hunters Inn

A gorgeous hotel in a lovely location. We used it as stopping point on the coastal path. The restaurant food wasn’t amazing but we were glad of a big meal anyway.

The Hunters Inn Hotel was an off-hand reference in a South West Coast Path walker’s guide, but given its proximity to the path, we decided to give it a try. It turned out to be a wonderful case of “all expectations exceeded.” How can you not enjoy being greeted by a peacock as you limp up to the hotel after a long day’s walk? And what’s better than a friendly, warm greeting at the reception when you’re dead tired? I don’t understand the many reviews here complaining about the food — our dinner and the morning’s breakfast were impeccable, especially given the hotel’s remote location. Kudos to the kitchen! Our lodging was similarly impeccable: a clean, comfortable room with a spacious bath and windows facing down the lovely valley. Anyone planning to walk this stretch of the South West Coast Path should definitely consider a night or two at Hunter’s Inn.

I fully understand the difficulties that this sector has faced, due to massively increased costs. But the food quality over the last few years has gone down and down and prices have gone in the opposite direction. It's a stunning building, in a stunning location. Pannini and chips are £15.00. A few frozen chips and something out of Tesco express with a bit of salad. £25 for a bottle of pinot not even chilled. 'it should be chilled, it's fresh from the cellar!'. No! And, ludicrously, you order food by going to the bar and giving a table number yet 10% is added as a service charge. This isn't the fault of the staff. Someone higher up has decided to ditch quality and good service, and hope that people ignore the food and enjoy the setting. Sorry. Nowhere near good enough.