Red Lion Hotel

We stayed here to celebrate my husband's birthday. The hotel is in a fantastic location and parking right outside. Our room was small but beautifully decorated with all we needed and we slept so well. Our room was directly above reception and with a group from a shoot staying on our 1st night the noise outside and on the stairs was quite loud. The hotel offers everything we could have asked for however the bar was very disappointing. We entered through the snug bar and waited to be served whilst the young girl was on her phone to then be abruptly told we had to go into the Harbour bar. It really felt like we were made to feel quite uncomfortable for not knowing this. Ironically when we returned an hour later for our evening meal this rule had gone out the window!! We were also given a very colourful worded insight into how a hotel guest had soiled a hotel matteress. Not our business at all and no idea why she felt the need to tell us. The same member of staff seemed to also take great delight in telling the members of the shoot how a fillet steak in the restaurant was the size of a scallop. We weren't eavesdropping but couldn't help hear this! This aside our food in the bar was delicious. Saturday evening we had a drink in the quieter Harbour bar but it was so cold in there and lacked in atmosphere. Not the local village pub we imagined. Ironically this time the manager was telling the mattress story to a couple. (Hard not to listen in). We then moved to the restaurant which to be fair wasn't much warmer but we had a lovely al carte meal and couldn't fault a thing. Breakfast is only served from 8.30-9.30am and after a fantastic night's sleep it was abit of a rush for us but as with all the food served the cooked to order was of a high standard, not so keen on the continental side of it though. So overall the hotel a thumbs up, food yes but service from staff in the bar needs abit of addressing.

I am recently back from my 3rd visit & stay and your whole team were truly outstanding in every way. My first visit to Clovelly was from 15th - 17th November 2023 and I so enjoyed the real privilege of staying at The Red Lion for 2 nights. I came for a further 2 nights 13th - 15th Feb 2023 for a break and most recently I stayed again for another 2 nights from 7th - 9th November 2024. I can’t tell you how much I appreciate the fabulous team spirit of everyone from Jo who again met me on arrival at reception, all the restaurant, bar and house staff again set the highest stands of charm and efficiency with truly delicious food. On every visit Richard Gibbs the General Manager, was superbly and seemingly effortlessly efficient and very endearing. I have already booked to go back again in February 2025!

Amazing 3 days - nothing was to much for the wonderful staff, the rooms were fabulous and we can’t thank the manager Richard enough for arranging a room move to room 5 for my birthday best views ever .. and Prosecco and chocolates. Food was sooo good - restaurant or bar …we will certainly be back soon.