The Cottage Hotel in Hope Cove, South Devon - Timeless Charm, Sea Views, And A Sense Of Place
The Cottage Hotel in Hope Cove
Perched high above the dramatic embrace of the South Devon coastline, The Cottage Hotel in Hope Cove stands as a quiet, graceful anomaly. In an age of sleek minimalism and curated experiences, this cherished family-run institution is unapologetically traditional, a testament to the enduring appeal of genuine warmth and a hospitality that feels less like a service and more like a welcome home.
Owned by the Ireland family since 1973 and expertly managed by the seasoned hotelier Neil Slade, the hotel is woven into the very fabric of Hope Cove’s history, its foundations laid in the early 1900s. It offers a sense of place that is both unique and deeply comforting, a haven for those who seek character and soul over fleeting modern conventions. The ambience is one of timeless charm, where your room can offer a glimpse of the vast sea, and every corner seems to whisper a story from decades past.
This journey begins, as many adventures do, with a nostalgic yearning for home. I grew up in Plymouth and sadly, years—sometimes more—have passed between my visits, but the opportunity to return, to share a piece of my past with my partner, Kate, presented itself in the form of a luxurious retreat to The Cottage Hotel in Hope Cove.
Harley-Davidson looked after us by supplying a Street Glide Ultra for the tour.
The Street Glide Ultra is made for two-up touring, with a powerful V-twin engine, spacious storage, and has been refined over decades of cross-country riding.
Harley's Street Glide Ultra is powered by the Milwaukee-Eight 117 engine. It is Harley-Davidson's most powerful factory-installed engine. It’s a massive 1,923 cc (117 cubic inch) with liquid-cooled cylinder heads, making 107 bhp and 175 Nm torque.
It certainly turns heads and was a very pleasant way to travel.
This wasn't a rush to a destination; it was a pilgrimage. Six hours of unhurried travel, with the Harley gliding gracefully across the country, its engine a low, rhythmic purr that was music to our ears. We carved a path through the heart of Dartmoor, a breathtaking canvas of rugged beauty that I once called my playground. We stopped to admire the granite-hewn majesty of Haytor and Saddle Tor, and the tranquil, picturesque scenes at Dartmeet and Two Bridges. It reminded me of innocent days paddling in streams, the adventurous nights of camping under the vast, moorland sky. It was a chance to revisit my youth, and a privilege to share these memories with Kate, my companion and pillion.
From the Moors, we descended into Princetown, a town overshadowed by the formidable, high-granite walls of its famous prison, built during the Napoleonic Wars. Then on to Plymouth, a city that has transformed from the gritty, post-blitz landscape of my youth into the magnificent "Britain's Ocean City" it is today. As a child, I navigated its streets amidst high unemployment and the ever-present threat of IRA bomb scares aimed at the Devonport Dockyard, which would regularly delay my school bus. Now, the city hums with a new energy, a testament to its resilience and regeneration.
The Harley glided through Plymouth's streets with an effortless grace, allowing us to absorb the sights in comfort. We cruised past the historic Barbican, the iconic Hoe, the bustling city centre, and even the street where I grew up. The journey was a symphony of nostalgia, marred only by the unceasing downpour of rain.
Our final leg took us on a short, scenic ride to The Cottage Hotel, a hidden gem nestled in the serene seclusion of Hope Cove, a mere 15 minutes from the exclusive town of Salcombe.
The original Hope Cottage was built in 1896 between the villages of Inner and Outer Hope (near Salcombe) and now forms the small snug outside of the restaurant. Inside the restaurant, above the entrance door, the tiled roof of the cottage's side door can still be seen. When the 'Cottage' first opened in 1927 as a small guesthouse, it was known as Hope Cottage.
Our arrival was the culmination of many hours in the saddle, so we were more than ready for the warm welcome and hospitality that awaited us.
Once checked in, we were shown to our Premier Balcony Room, overlooking the cove.
The newly refurbished premier-grade bedrooms are spacious, well-appointed and offer a view out to sea that you never want to end.
The older wing of the hotel retains a more traditional style.
From your hotel room at The Cottage Hotel, you'll be within easy walking distance of Hope Cove's two sandy beaches with fabulous views, as well as the South West Coast Path. Along the coast path, you can reach more sandy beaches, Salcombe to the East or Thurlestone village to the West.
Many walkers like to bring their dogs to Hope Cove, which is why the hotel is dog-friendly, except for its luxury rooms.
The deluge continued its valiant assault on the south-west, but upon arrival and once checked in, we sought sanctuary in the lounge, where their infamous cream tea awaited. Here, it felt appropriate to honour the Devonian tradition: the rich, clotted cream applied first, serving as a foundation for the vibrant strawberry jam.
The summer at The Cottage Hotel offers breathtaking vistas of the sea, and as the summer slips away, the shoulder season brings its own gentle magic. As the days recede, the open fire is lit, transforming the lounge into a homely retreat, a bastion against the autumnal chill.
Eventually, the rain relented, and we took a leisurely walk down to the beach, through the beautiful Hope Cove, once a fishing and smuggling village, now a popular and relaxing tourist destination within the South Devon Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Each step is a further immersion into the wild, raw beauty of the coast. We stood and watched the sea, a timeless warrior, patiently and persistently pounding against the rocks in a battle that has waged for eternity and shows no sign of relenting.
The culinary philosophy at The Cottage Hotel is rooted in honesty and a hearty generosity. The traditional dining is a celebration of unpretentious, flavourful fare that comforts and satisfies, an experience that scorns fleeting trends for the simple pleasure of well-prepared food. Beyond the plate, the hotel’s lounge beckons with its comfortable charm, while the beautifully appointed, sea-facing terrace provides a front-row seat to the daily spectacle of the coast. And as the day draws to a close, a visit to the plentifully stocked bar is a must, perhaps to enjoy a sunset some say is the best on the South Coast of Devon—a spectacle rivalled only, perhaps, by the simple, perfect joy of a Devon Cream Tea.
That evening, our table at the hotel restaurant, with its commanding view over Hope Cove, became our stage, where we enjoyed a classic Table d'Hôte 5-course dinner.
I enjoyed a beef croquette with a mild coconut curry sauce to start, followed by Yarde Farm dairy fruit sorbet, then chicken supreme, wild mushroom, thyme and red wine sauce, topped off with crème caramel. Kate had prawn and cucumber cocktail with classic Marie Rose to start, followed by Yarde Farm dairy fruit sorbet and oven-baked fillet of cod, crab & prawn fish velouté for main. For dessert, the Cottage Hotel trifle. The cuisine was superb: full of flavour, plentiful and absolutely delicious.
As the sun began its languid descent over the English Channel, we witnessed the true, secret heart of the Cottage Hotel. It was a rare and wondrous display of hospitality, orchestrated by the owners, William and Sarah Ireland, and the hotel manager, Neil Slade. They danced between tables with an elegant ease, treating returning patrons not just as guests but as cherished old friends, reminiscing about shared moments. Newcomers were welcomed into this extended family with effortless grace, as if they had always belonged. For an hour, we watched this masterclass in customer service, a spectacle of genuine care and warmth that made every diner feel valued and special. The food, excellent as it was, was a mere supporting act to this unparalleled human connection.
Our final treat was the view of the night sky from the secluded vantage of our private balcony, watching the celestial tapestry unfold, unburdened by the intrusion of city lights. It was a truly spectacular end to a beautiful day.
The Cottage Hotel offers a stay that is not merely a vacation, but a retreat into a world that remembers the value of sincere hospitality and the timeless beauty of its surroundings. It is a place to slow down, breathe deeply, and reconnect with a sense of genuine belonging.
The Cottage Hotel,
Hope Cove,
Kingsbridge,
South Devon,
TQ7 3HJ
