Ilsington Country House Hotel & Spa

We have stayed here several times and it doesn't disappoint. A warm welcome from lovely staff. The beautiful surroundings, comfortable country-house decor, fabulous treatments in the spa (Sarah's massage in particular). The food in The Tigers Inn and in the restaurant is first class and always delicious, a lovely menu to choose from and all cooked perfectly, to order, with intolerances and allergies taken very seriously, and served by kind and friendly staff. I totally recommend the whole experience.

Amazing stay @ the Ilsington for my birthday. Staff were particularly attentive and personable, especially the evening crew. A lá carte dining was absolutely stunning, no wonder this place has its 2 rosettes, chefs kiss! Would benefit from some nice scents in the main dining room though and checking the underside of the bath mat. Apart from that and the not so welcoming guy in the suit this place and the team are absolutely majestic. Well done Islington!

My husband and I stayed for two nights to celebrate our wedding anniversary, following a glowing recommendation from his aunt and uncle, who visit regularly. The location is truly beautiful – nestled in the Devon countryside – though the final approach involves some narrow, winding roads! From the moment we arrived, the staff were outstanding: warm, professional, and genuinely helpful. The hotel has a welcoming atmosphere, with a nicely decorated entrance and a charming long-case clock. We stayed in Room 22, a suite on the first floor near the spa. Unfortunately, it was very hot when we arrived – 30°C according to our travel clock – but there was a fan provided, and we supplemented it with our own (yes, we are *those* people!) due to health needs. The room itself was spacious enough, with a cosy comfortable lounge area, suitably-equipped bedroom, and a two-parter bathroom area which comprised a deep bath, separate shower cubicle, and toilet and sink area. The décor was a little tired in places, and the bed mattress too firm for our liking, though the bedding was good quality. We flagged a couple of maintenance issues (a broken bathroom window latch and some shower resealing needed) to reception. Wi-Fi didn’t reach our room well, and the mobile signal was poor – we had to hotspot via the windowsill. If connectivity is important to you, bear this in mind. The food was a highlight. Dinner in the main restaurant was exceptional – beautifully cooked and with great allergy awareness. My husband appreciated the gluten- and dairy-free options, and I was thrilled to finally get a properly strong cup of English breakfast tea, of a standard I make at home! Breakfast was fine, but not on the same level – I wish they’d offer hollandaise sauce so I could build my favourite breakfast of Eggs Royale from the available menu. A few areas of the hotel, such as the main restaurant and bar, are air-conditioned, though building constraints limit where else it can be installed. Sadly, we didn’t have time to try the spa or pool, but it looked lovely and our relatives speak highly of the treatments. Room 22’s proximity to the kitchen meant 7:30am noise and smells, which combined with the heat, would lead us to choose a different room next time. In all, a lovely stay with standout staff and food, but room comfort and connectivity could be improved.