Lympstone Manor Hotel Restaurant & Vineyard - Relais & Chateaux

We recently had lunch at Lympstone Manor when they were offering a special lunchtime deal. This place is beautiful, the setting is idyllic and we were very well looked after on arrival. After some drinks and canapés, we were taken to our table and shortly given our appetiser. Then nothing happened for 45 minutes, we watched tables around us being served ahead of us, and were confused what was happening. Because it’s such a posh restaurant and there was so many staff, we figured they must know that we were waiting so we left it longer than usual to point out that we hadn’t even had starters. By the time they arrived we had been sat there for an hour and after a 90 minute drive to the restaurant we were starting to run out of things to talk about, and were generally feeling awkward about the delay. We’d also eaten two bread rolls eat because we had been waiting so long and we’re very hungry which then really took the edge of our appetite for the main event. The food was all very nice and the rest of it came in a timely manner afterwe’d complained. The waiter did remove our soft drinks from the bill, (approximately £10) and offered to remove the service charge, but we declined that offer. I wouldn’t have written a negative review if it was just this instance, but the time before that, when we visited in April 2024, we were saying in one of the shepherds huts, and went for dinner at the new poolside restaurant. Again, we waited a fair amount of time for our starters, and when our main courses came, they were wrong so had to be sent back. When they returned with our food, our steak was half the size of the original overcooked one, the chips still had truffle on, which we’d asked to not be added, and our mushroom is missing. We ate this meal though. as it was getting late. In the end they didn’t charge us for a meal, but it was our anniversary and we had gone and stayed there as a special treat & especially to enjoy delicious food, and so had been left very disappointed and unsatisfied. I was expecting them to invite us back for dinner at a reduced rate or a complimentary meal, but they didn’t. And then again visiting this week I was left disappointed by what is a Michelin star restaurant. Maybe we have just been unlucky.

We had a lovely relaxing time at Lympstone Manor. Our best friends joined us to celebrate my birthday and we so enjoyed the pool, the food and the friendliness of most of the staff. We had the signature tasting menu on the second night which was in parts superb but personally I wish we had chosen from the a la carte ( note to myself i prefer to choose my own food !) Why not 5 stars? We had a deluxe estuary suite and it was decorated beautifully but was a bit cramped which I really didn’t expect and one waiter in the pool house restaurant irritated me when he told us the reason our bread hadn’t come yet was because it was in the oven . But when it arrived it was cold and had definitely been no where near an oven recently! But this is minor I liked the hotel and feel with a bit more attention to detail and to guests it would definitely be a 5 star.

We have stayed at LM before and really enjoyed the views over the vineyard to the estuary. So, when we were passing the other day we called in around lunchtime to enjoy a cocktail (or two) and while away a sunny afternoon. We went in to reception and were told 'no, only guests and members, goodbye'. This is crazy (and a little rude). There were 50 or so chairs with tables and parasols on the grass - none of them occupied and none of them earning the hotel any money plus a barman earning a salary with nothing to do.. A respectable, well dressed couple wants to pay for a service the hotel can easily provide at no additional effort and we're told to bugger off. On the assumption Lympstone Manor will go bust soon, I would suggest Gidleigh Park or Bovey Castle as alternatives - service with a smile and nothing too much trouble.

I celebrated my birthday at Lympstone Manor, and it was absolutely unforgettable! From the elegant rooms to the stunning grounds and exceptional service, every detail made the day feel truly special. The beautifully presented meals and attentive staff made it a perfect luxury escape. If you’re looking to treat yourself or celebrate a special occasion with classic English charm and modern comforts, Lympstone Manor is the place to be. We left feeling utterly refreshed and wished we were staying longer. Check out all the highlights and photos on my Instagram: 👉 @jolashleys_adventures

Rang Lympstone Manor as friends and family are visiting and thought we would walk to the Manor for morning coffee etc. rang to book a table but was told they now only offer lunch, very disappointing for a hotel.

I had lunch with family in the Pool House. The food was delicious, the setting is spectacular and the staff are charming. It was very relaxed, we didn't feel rushed and nothing was too much trouble. Perfect for a special occasion.