Gara Rock

Unfortunately this is a long review because there were so many issues at this hotel. Some may think they are just little things, but it’s the little things that make the difference between an average hotel and a good one. We were really looking forward to our 5-night stay at Gara Rock having known about the hotel for some time and followed it on Instagram. It’s in a lovely spot right on the coast with easy access to the coastal path. There is nothing else walkable nearby (shops, pubs etc) but we knew this in advance and wanted a few days relaxing and not doing not much of anything. First impressions were of nice lounge, bar and restaurant facilities but it’s not a place to come to if you don’t like very narrow roads with few passing places. An immediate disappointment was upon check-in when we asked for a daily newspaper we were told they couldn’t provide them as they are so remote nobody will deliver them. Part of our relaxing stay would have been to sit with the paper and a coffee for an hour or two in the morning. They have staff coming to work here from around the area and surely it wouldn’t be hard to have an arrangement with a newsagent or garage to take newspapers on a sale or return basis (which all newspapers are) and be picked up by the member of staff on their way to work? Yes it’s all available online these days but some of us still like to read a newspaper. In general the staff were helpful and accommodating, however a few did have an attitude problem, acting like you are being a nuisance for asking them something - in particular on the reception desk and the spa desk. As one example we asked reception twice for a pole to open the Velux bathroom window as it was too high for anyone to reach and also the extractor fan wasn’t working. We were dismissively told there was a pole in the room but we explained we had searched and there was not one. The receptionist insisted that ‘there should be one in the room’ and again we had to explain that there was not. She ultimately said she would get one sent up by maintenance - It never happened. We asked again on another day still with no response. Regarding the Spa, my partner wanted to book an appointment but was told “we have nothing today”. She asked about the next day and got the curt reply “no, nothing then”, finally offering something on the 3rd day which wasn’t convenient. The point is she never once smiled or said “can I let you know if we have a cancellation”. She just made my partner feel like she was being a nuisance. The restaurant was a big disappointment. The dinner menu is somewhat pretentious. It is very overpriced and limited, especially if your stay is for more than a couple of nights. On our first evening my partner ordered a starter that was really not very nice - in fact inedible - and looking at the online photos of the dish it didn’t look right either. The waitress said she would pass our comments onto the chef but we received no feedback. It seemed like there was n

Lovely secret escapes 2 night stay, lovely junior suite room. Partial sea view with small balcony with table & 2 chairs. Large bath tub in bedroom with bath salts provided. For the price of room maybe a bottle of wine would be a nice touch. Myself & husband are both vegetarian, I asked at check in if vegetarian sausages were available with breakfast & was told there was, next morning was told rather abruptly that no vegetarian sausages available as they just don’t have them, the waitress sounded a bit sarcastic & dismissive to my request. It was our 36th wedding anniversary so we booked in for a meal that night, was left waiting at table for ages, finally managed to order drinks then about 20 mins later was told they were so busy that we might like to order some crisps, nuts or olives as the food would be a long time to arrive! We ordered nuts which came in a bowl and weee stale! Eventually after about being seated in restaurant for nearly 2 hours our appalling food arrived… Being vegetarian the menu choice was very poor so I had the pizza which was soggy , tasteless & lukewarm , my husband ordered the vegetarian ceaser salad which was a pile of mess on a plate smothered in vegetarian hard cheese , chewy overcooked halloumi & smelt fishy, my husband asked the waitress if there were any anchovies in there(as we don’t eat fish) and was told abruptly don’t be silly it’s vegetarian, it definitely smelt & tasted fishy. So all in all it was a terrible experience , when we asked for the bill after not eating the food, with full plates still on table, she asked was everything ok with the meal, we said well no not really & she just ignored us & we payed and left.. Such a shame as you have a beautiful hotel but the food let you down big time. One other complaint was that we asked to use outdoor pool, had to ask the blonde lady on reception for some slippers to walk across carpark to pool and she snapped at us that they don’t provide slippers which was a lie as the lovely mousy brown hair lady who checked us in got me some slippers the day before so thankfully she went to get some for him. When we got to the outdoor pool there were no towels there, what a stupid system so had to just put our robes back on without drying ourselves

A very special hotel - perfect for our 30th wedding anniversary stunning location. We felt relaxed as soon as we walked through the door - this was down to the really lovely welcoming staff, decor and furnishings, and the music. Food and drinks fabulous. Beautiful coastal walks. Nice little spa and pool. We did not need to use the cinema room as the weather was so good We feel lucky to have stayed at Gara Rock

Gara rock is a special place, stunning location, with fabulous staff. However not good value for following reasons. I paid over £1k for 2 nights for a residence for myself and 3 teen/young adult children. The room was not serviced - apparently a self catering concept which I was not told about and was only in the small print. Regardless, that’s unacceptable for the price. Small things let it down, thin towels, mean toiletries, 1 bottle of water for 3 bedrooms and not topped up. 2 bathrobes despite the booking being for 4 people, bar in lounge not staffed. We had a fab time, it’s a special place but it needs to up its game in the small but important things. My total cost with ?excellent) food was £2,500 for 2 nights. That’s a lot by any standard and it needed to be better.

A complete gem of a hotel. Quiet, friendly, views to die for and all with a modern twist.it is small so never feels impersonal and the staff were lovely. Not a house or car in sight.

In a similar vein to Ray R’s recent review we had a very underwhelming stay at the Gara Rock Hotel. It took place at the end of September and was a joint 60th celebration with my girlfriends. Before I start, the reason for this post is that I rang the Hotel Monday 29th September trying to speak to the General Manager Mr Alan Holliday, this to let him know about our “very underwhelming stay” rather than just go to print. Unfortunately he was unavailable so I spoke to a receptionist who said she would get him to call me when he was out of his meeting and that she understood the importance of the call. Well I have still not heard back from the General Manager hence the post!! Ok let’s begin. We booked the “Out of the ordinary suites” Penthouse last year. It set us back just shy of £3k for the 3 nights! I decided on Gara Rock Hotel as the venue because I have been to Salcombe many times and often visited the Hotel for coffee, brownies and lunch whilst out walking. On all those visits the staff have been friendly and accommodating and the food and beverages have been great! When we arrived we were not welcomed as you would expect with smiles and a warm greeting like we had in the past, instead it was with rudeness and basically uninterested staff! No mention of our 60th celebration! We then decided as the weather was awesome to have lunch on the terrace whilst waiting for the Penthouse check in. Similar to other reviews we were given a lunchtime menu but told we could only order Pizza outside! We asked if we could have a salad and some chips but were told this could only be served inside the dining room which has doors opening onto the terrace! I have had lunch many times on this terrace before without a problem! The table next to us who were on the second day told us it was ridiculous but they said it was more like staying in a Motel not a Hotel !! We then checked into the penthouse which has the Most amazing view from the master suite and lounge but that’s about it! The Right hand window in the lounge is broken and it was so hot it was hard to get any natural ventilation! The master suite shower tray was also blocked! The following morning we went to reception prior to Breakfast and reported this, the shower would be looked at but the window has been broken for months! We then went for Breakfast. Again as other reviewers have mentioned we were told tea and coffee is on the station which basically is plastic push top urn and flask! If we wanted a cappuccino or flat white this was to be an additional cost! Really!! Underwhelmed by this experience we headed to Salcombe for a great day and lunch When we returned that evening our door was open with all our valuables inside! The attitude from Reception was a sorry but it’s safe around here! We had booked the private cinema for that evening On arrival the room was set at 28 degrees Ok they did kick in the air con but we also asked for some water and when it arrived it was over £4.00 a bottle