Thurlestone Hotel

So much of this stay was a 5 star review but sadly the rest was so poor we had to give it 3 stars. The good bits… a free upgrade to a seaview balcony room - beautiful view and room. The Reception staff & Amed, facilities were nice, a bit tatty but it’s quite old. The outdoor pool was lovely. Cold but nice seating area around it. The bad bits… general staff in the bar, (I heard one member telling another off for not smiling!) and restaurant. When we booked the hotel we said I was allergic to dairy. Reception said I would get a specific menu, the restaurant manager said my waiter would explain what I could eat on the menu. The reality the waiter when he eventually came up asked me if I was ready to order and I explained the diary free conversation and he said oh what ever you want the chef will make something from scratch based on any of the dishes. I was served dairy. When I said to my husband should I check this is dairy free he said don’t be daft it’s a 4 star hotel and you have told everyone. After a few mouthfuls another waiter walked past and I asked him to check he came back laughing saying oh goodness how allergic are you?! I ended up paying for chewy crisps @ the bar for supper. And the bar area was always grubby. My husband found half a chewed sweet on the arm of his chair! The spa - for £180 for two treatments you wouldn’t expect the staff to turn up late & then feel rushed. We also then missed our lunch reservation ( somewhere else!) The Village inn isn’t great. But the reception staff recommended the Sloop which was fab! The indoor pool was lovely the hot tub didn’t work fully and there was no staff to be seen anywhere so you can imagine there was plenty of jumping in and diving! Book a sea view balcony room and use it as a base and it’s a great spot!