Flash back to September last year and after driving down to Salcombe, and winding down country lanes we finally arrived at Gara Rock, a stunning clifftop luxury hotel which I’ve wanted to visit ever since it was refurbished. I loved the idea of throwing open the curtains and being right above the water, wandering down to a secluded beach and that’s before we even look at the stunning interiors…
Live
After parking and really realising that we were now officially on holiday for two weeks (and being really quite giddy about it!) our first impressions were that we immediately felt relaxed as we walked into the stunning bar and lounge area. I have to admit after the drive, we were both starving and grabbed a late lunch of sharing plates in the bar – together with a glass or two of wine to toast to the holiday! Nestled in the bar we realised not only how beautiful our surroundings were, but also just how peaceful it was.
We could see down to the beach and hear the gentle chatter of those at the tables around us but it was completely peaceful!
Sleep
After our lunch, we were shown to our suite – and I have to admit I was very excited to see it! I had umm-ed and ahh-ed about which room to book and eventually decided since it was our big trip of the year we’d go for the suite. And, given that we were there for three nights I thought it would be nice for us to have a little more space. The bedroom is at the back of the suite, and is decorated in a spectacularly cosy manner, with beautiful fabrics, shutters and the comfiest bed! With lots of space to unpack and store suitcases and hang clothes, it’s a wonderful space to relax and unwind.
Follow the corridor through and you’ll get your first glimpse of that view and your sitting room. Again, I absolutely loved the decor, with the cosy, warm tones as well as the floor to ceiling sliding doors to allow you to fully enjoy both the view and the sunsets. And trust me: you don’t want to miss the sunsets because they’re among the most beautiful I’ve seen. Finally, the dining area may be small but it’s perfect for morning coffee, the papers and maybe some breakfast in your room.
Eat
If you can tear yourself away from the views (just for a moment as don’t panic, every part of the hotel is sea facing!) you should head to the dining room. The menus are based on cooking and eating locally sourced food wherever possible, so expect a lot of incredible, fresh seafood and vegetables from the kitchen garden. Throughout the whole our stay, we couldn’t fault a single dish we had – including all of the amazing breakfasts (which I have to admit were so good, I didn’t stop to take a photo!)
Explore
Not only is the food amazing, the staff friendly and the hotel striking that perfect balance between cosy and luxurious, but there’s so much to do! Gara Rock has its own cinema which (because we visited during COVID restrictions) we managed to have to ourselves with pudding from the restaurant and some drinks which was honestly one of the most fun experiences!
If you’re feeling a little more adventurous, there coastal path runs right beside Gara Rock so you can walk along one of Britain’s most beautiful walks right from the front door. We really enjoyed walking into Salcombe one day, doing a little shopping (ie picking up some Salcombe gin!), having lunch and then pottering back home via some of the stunning secluded beaches which flank the coastal path. Less adventurous? Meander (carefully!) down the coastal path and enjoy beautiful, secluded Gara Beach – and maybe grab some lunch and some drinks from the Garavan so you can enjoy the beach for longer!
But whatever, you do – make sure you pack your swimming costume so that you can enjoy the beautiful spa and outdoor (heated!) swimming pool! Make sure you book your spa appointments early as you don’t want to miss out on these beautiful treatments.
Oh, and the reason it was a celebration? We became engaged on Gara Beach on the first night of our stay, and we’ll now always have a special place in our hearts for this stunning hotel. And not only was it so special, but the staff made it so much more exciting, not only by keeping the secret before I knew, but also for knowing that we were newly engaged and surprising us with their kindness and a few treats throughout our magical stay.
I honestly can’t wait to go back!
Gara Rock
East Portlemouth
Salcombe
TQ8 8FA
