hotel review
ORESTONE MANOR TIMELESS CHARM
Surrey Magazine was delighted to step back to a timeless age at Orestone Manor, an award-winning, family-owned, charming country house hotel by the sea. Nestled above south Devon’s picturesque coastal village of Maidencombe, this autumn honours the 160-year anniversary of the life of the greatest British engineer, Isambard Kingdom Brunel. The popularity of this part of the country harks back to the 1850’s when Brunel designed the first railway to the West Country bringing an influx of holidaymakers and millionaires who could afford to live there all year around. Later, as a result, it gained the nickname of the “English Riviera.”
O
restone Manor was the scene of Isambard Kingdom Brunel’s National Portrait Gallery painting, created by his brother-in-law, Sir John Calcott Horsley, on the Orestone lawn and in the 1850’s many Brunel/Horsley family gatherings took place at the venue. Interestingly neighbours at the time were equally famous, Rudyard Kipling lived in the property nearest.
Owned by the D’Allen family since 2011, this hidden gem is a food-lovers delight, spilling over with East Asian and Indian- influenced historical artefacts that took a labour of love to create. The D’Allen’s continual reinvestment in the business can be seen with the stylish appeal of two smart Coach House Suites, the Brunel Bar and Lounge, alongside desirable bedroom and bathroom refurbishments. There are 14 individually designed rooms decorated in elaborate styles to choose from. Each unique in character and ambience, the delightful suites, two with their own private double-level accommodation and suntrap balconies, three with swanky hot tubs for relaxation and romance, making evening bubbles, prosecco and soaking in the tub, not to be missed.
Experienced husband and wife chef-team, Catherine and Neil, use only the finest and the freshest locally produced and sourced ingredients to create Michelin
quality dishes at affordable prices. We loved Orestone’s beautifully presented and mouth-watering amuse-bouches and were delighted with our starters of Signature Brixham Seared Landed Scallops, Crispy Bacon, Caramelised pearl Onions, Pea Cream and Pea shoots and their colourful Crab Martini, Avocado, Mango Ice with poppy Seed Straw Scallops. For mains, the Creedy Carver Duck Breast was simply tasty and rich and the Fillet Steak was so perfectly cooked that it melted like butter!
2019 sees the D’Allen’s scoop their fourth gold in the Taste of the West Food and Drink annual awards, the consecutive wins join enviable accolades from Condé Nast Johansens and double AA Rosettes for fine dining. Orestone Manor is also a constant winner of TripAdvisor’s Certificate of Excellence and features in “Relish South West” - a guide to 20 of the best fine-dining venues across the South West of England.
Orestone Manor has not only established itself as a name for quality food, but also for first class service with charismatic son Craig front of house and daughter-in-law Laura running reception. It’s an idyllic place to simply relax and unwind with its sub-tropical gardens and spectacular sea views across open country to Lyme Bay, an area on the cusp of becoming the next luxury destination.
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Located just four miles outside Torquay, Orestone Manor’s location is the best of both countryside and coast, set among winding Devon lanes. There’s a picturesque coastal walk to the thatched seaside village of Maidencombe, where there’s a dramatic red sand beach backed by crumbling cliffs. For the modern “Riviera” feel, there’s the
Abbey Sands development where
the blossoming pavement café culture is evident with rows of bars and restaurants, all with outdoor seating.
It is a magnificent setting that’s steeped firmly in the 21st Century, offering world- class accommodation, with timeless, sparkling charm and comes complete with its own micro-climate, for guests to enjoy all year. No wonder the royals, Agatha Christie,
Kingdom Brunel, Rudyard Kipling and so many more loved it.
––––––––––––––––––––––––––– To find out more about the Orestone Manor experience or to make a hotel or restaurant reservation, please telephone 01803 897511
or email
info@orestonemanor.com
www.orestonemanor.com –––––––––––––––––––––––––––
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