Burgh Island Hotel

A very warm welcome, beautiful as ever, lovely cocktails and food. Very enjoyable stay

Nothing

I thought all the staff were excellent. The room was nice. The food was good but not excellent for the price

It was my husbands birthday celebration and not one person mentioned it although we could see it against our name. Scrambled eggs for breakfast were awful. The ribeye was average. We didn’t like the smell of bleach from the housekeepers. I did think for the price i Paid it was too expensive

Very clean, quiet and comfortable. A lovely studio above the Pilchard Inn. Wonderful views from every window. Loved sitting in the stand alone bath whilst watching the sea. Great space and cosy bed with wonderful decor! Short, little walk up to the main entrance of the hotel which was lovely. The staff were amazing and friendly. The ballroom for dinner was a fantastic experience for myself and my husband. The food was delicious as well as the cocktails. We felt well cared for in every aspect, absolutely no complaints at how attentive the staff were. We would like to mention William and Nathan were exceptional in their roles, they continuously kept everything ticking along and well organised. There was another member of staff who took us to our table during dining, he was wearing a grey suit. He was a fabulous host and we felt that had everything under control. On the Saturday of our stay, I had booked a massage with Becca! What a lovely lady, and it was an incredible massage. Her treatments were of a very high standard and if I go back to the hotel again, I will be definitely booking another treatment.

Wonderful location , step back in time. Wonderful food and the staff at times made it special too.

Without realising we booked the artist room and it wasn’t in the hotel although the room was lovely. Bit disappointed with black tie night after seeing the evening before’s entertainment and dancing. Just expected a little bit more.

The location, the service, the food we had no complaints at all.

Beautiful 1920’s hotel - what an architectural gem!

Wish there had been more of a shop to purchase items ie the shampoo etc

Beautiful art deco hotel with original furnishings to keep it in period.

nothing!

As my partner is a life-long collector of Art Deco, it has always been her dream to stay at the Burgh Island Hotel, so a special birthday presented the perfect opportunity for a treat. As we walked into the beautiful building she was moved to tears, and I was, unexpectedly, pretty speechless, too. Our experience on arrival, the warmest of welcomes, a complimentary drink and chatting with other guests on the patio, was the perfect beginning to an exceptional stay. Our "Christie" room has a huge bathroom, and a balcony offering views over the local Devon countryside and the causeway and beach, at Bigbury, coupled with sublime sunsets. A dip in the beautifully situated Mermaid pool and several rides on the famous tractor provided unique experiences, not to be missed, as was the gorgeous fish and chip supper, at the 14th century Pilchard Inn. Apart from being privileged to spend time in an amazing and iconic building, set in a wonderful location, the hotel staff deserve every accolade, for enhancing our experience, immeasurably. From the moment we were met, in the client car park, to our final "goodbye", Sally Russell (GM), and her team demonstrated their dedication to making our experience as special as it could possibly be. Every aspect of service, from transport, housekeeping, front of house and reception, was impeccably delivered by a team who were consistently welcoming, empathetic, kind, professionally skilled, and clearly empowered to do whatever was necessary to make our time unforgettable. Their service was delivered with an infectious enthusiasm, an evident pride in their work and a clear appreciation of the importance of their role, in fulfilling our expectations. Overall, we shared a wonderful experience, which left a lasting impression. We will definitely be back! Thanks are due to everyone concerned in delivering a memorable stay, which surpassed all of our imaginings!

Went for afternoon tea. Food ok/good. Service mostly very poor - more like a Fawlty Towers experience but not in Torquay! Was lied to by a member of staff who then told me I must have been talking with her identical twin…unfortunately for her not all customers are stupid and could recognise that her twin was wearing her hair in a different style. Admitting she had forgotten to do what she said she would and leaving us for 35 minutes would have been fine, assuming customers are stupid and trying to lie not ok. The other twin, by her own admission, was too tired to be working! Water spilt on son seen by the member of staff but they said nothing and hoped we hadn’t noticed. Long hair tangled round a fork, table half set. Food arrived, tea did not. When asked how they were getting on 15 minutes later they brought over one pot of tea which had been left on the side because they ‘weren’t sure who it was for’. Another long wait for tea for test of group to arrive. Tea cold. Scones good. Sandwiches average. Cakes ok. By all means go if you want to be entertained by poor service. Cannot not recommend enough…should have been an enjoyable relaxing afternoon, not a stressful comedy one.

Location, food

Booking.com asked if I wanted an upgrade to room with balcony. I paid - hotel claimed they weren't told. Promised a room with balcony by management on last night. Turns out no room Pretty disappointing for a surprise 70th for my wife. Staff were great - management not so great.

Nowhere else like it. The environment is special with every detail being art deco combined with excellent service and food. When you cross the causeway it is like entering a different world. The Grand Ballroom dinner is nor to be missed but do choose a day with the orchestra.

A great 5th return to the Island. Every year it improves, not just the decor but the service. Great to see familiar faces and happy staff. Have booked for 2027. The food was greatly improved this year with more choice on lunch menu. The Pilchard Inn does good basic fare. The Beach House & Spa pool were fabulous and we had good weather too! Thank you & see you next year!

This was our third visit to Burgh Island and it truly is the gift that keeps on giving. Travelling over on the iconic sea tractor, we were met with champagne in the gorgeous Palm Court. We stayed in the beautiful Avon Suite and as it was the middle of a heatwave, we really appreciated the sea breezes at night and the shady balcony overlooking the bay. Swimming in the sea and the incredible Mermaid Pool cooled me down, and there are numerous places to relax in the sun, shade or inside. A spa treatment provided an extra touch of luxury and relaxation. Dinner in the Grand Ballroom is always an experience, and the food there and at the Pilchard is wonderful. We treated ourselves to a cream tea the first afternoon- it was so delicious we had to have another the next day…. Delicious cocktails, friendly and efficient service yet the freedom to sit and read or just take in the views without being disturbed - my only complaint about our visit was that we had to go home! We’ll be back….to enjoy another slice of Paradise.

If you are going to splurge on one thing this year, make this it! Worth a one night splendid experience.

Idyllic place but hotel needs a refurbishment and they need to take care of the details to improve the experience which anyway was unique

Our first stay on Burgh Island and certainly won't be our last. The service is excellent from start to finish, staff seem genuinely friendly, helpful and nothing was too much trouble. The food and wines were good, the hotel is beautiful and the whole experience felt very relaxed

A wonderful place for a special celebration. I did not want to leave! Amazing to keep the Art Deco era alive, thank you!

This is the 2nd time we have stayed and it was just as good this time as the first. Excellent staff, good food and drink and even a croquet lawn to have fun on!

A blissful stay in a magical hotel. It has long been a wish to visit and it was a dream come true. If you like art deco you will be in heaven. its a bucket list experience ina very beautiful and tranquil setting.

First visited Bigbury and Burgh Island over 60 years ago and was lucky enough (thanks to the generosity of a brother and sister-in-law) to stay there for a night at the beginning of July this year to celebrate belated special birthdays and retirement. From the very start when we were driven across from the mainland, we had an amazing time. The hotel team, the ambience, location, views, rooms, food and drink were exceptional and the delightful other guests and gorgeous weather provided the icing on the cake. My dream would be to return every year!

From the moment you arrive, Burgh Island Hotel feels like a journey back in time to 1930s. The island setting is stunning, as is the Art Deco design. The hotel is full of history and character. From travelling on the sea tractor to croquet on the lawn, swimming in the sea pool and jazz in the ballroom everything was just perfect.

We have just returned from Burgh Island, having been intending to stay there for the last four years or so. All we can say is that the wait was worth it. The hotel lived up to its promise and gave so much more. From arrival at the covered garaging and being collected by Robin and being informed of our room and given lots of useful information to being met at the door by Vlad a manager with a glass of fizz, who confirm dining arrangements, we were made to feel welcome and special. All luggage was discreetly taken to our room whilst we sipped our arrival drink. We stayed in the Bentley, which oozed deco styling and classic sophistication. The rrom also has fabulous sea views and a large balcony from which you enjoy sunset and the tidal movements, The food was all as you would expect - just about perfect! The staff too. Could say so much more, but best not spoil the wonderful surprises which unfold and the staggering beauty of the little gem of an island. If you can just go and see for yourself. A perfect special occasion retreat!

The hotel is spectacular, dream location and the staff where so friendly and provide amazing service. We have had the privilege of staying in other amazing hotels before but this place and the people that work there make it by far the best. We will be dreaming of a return!

From the time we were collected to the moment we were dropped off the whole experience was wonderful. The staff are friendly helpful & welcoming. The setting is fantastic & room’s great. The ballroom experience was fab - from the chance to dress up, the entertainment to the food. Thoroughly enjoyable experience.

From the moment Burgh Island comes into view I feel myself relax. We are fortunate to have stayed at the beautiful hotel numerous times and I feel the same excitement each time. From getting picked up by Richard and driven across the causeway to the welcome we receive from Vlad, everything is just perfect! The setting speaks for itself, the rooms are comfortable and the views amazing. All of the staff, including those you don't see, are so helpful and friendly, nothing is too much trouble. The food is delicious and dining in the ballroom is a must. We look forward to our next visit, which is already booked!

The building and location

Lack of atmosphere. Outside areas need some attention.

Everything about this Island experience is exceptional. The location, the ambiance, the decor and the incredibly comfortable rooms are all incomparable but the staff are another level again - their sheer enthusiasm is infectious, they are friendly, helpful and happy in their work yet utterly professional. The highlight for us was dinner in the Grand Ballroom with superb food, mood setting music and exemplary service. Our one regret? We only booked for one night!

This was a superb experience which began when Richard collected us from the car park to transport us to the island. He was a joy and set out visit off to a perfect start. Without exception the staff went out of their way to ensure we had a great experience.

We were told by Richard that we were staying in the Malcolm Campbell suite and our luggage would be there once we had checked in. Vlad the duty manager checked us in and told us to collect our room key at 3.30. On collection we noticed our room had changed and we had been allocated the Josephine Baker suite. On entering the room we realised our luggage wasn’t there. I also noted the suite did not have a balcony as described on the booking.com website. We went back to reception and saw Vlad, he told us that booking.com had made an error with the description and only the more expensive suites had balcony’s. He asked us to wait in our room and said they would track down our luggage. A short time later a porter appeared with some of our bags, he informed us that our allocated room had been changed the evening before but the drivers list hadn’t been updated. I asked if the William Campbell suite had a balcony and the porter said he believed it did. Vlad then appeared with the rest of our luggage, so I asked again about the balcony room. Again I was told only the more expensive suites had balcony’s and it was booking.coms error so I would need to take it up with them. He did offer some sparkling wine because of the luggage, which we accepted. Having checked the hotels own website I discovered the room we were originally allocated did indeed have a balcony! As a big art deco fan I had waited 15 years to visit this great hotel, we were also there to celebrate our wedding anniversary so decided to not let the room frustrations spoil what turned out to be a superb visit.

After wanting to stay at this hotel for many many years I was fortunate enough to spend 2 amazing nights, staying in the Mountbatten room - the room and view was truly wonderful. The staff at this hotel are very welcoming and make you feel at home from the minute you arrive at the car park and beyond. We attended the black tie dinner which was so special and not to be missed. We also ate in The Pilchard Inn and this was a very pleasant experience.

From arrival to departure the service was 5 star . Always polite, prompt and pleasant and never intrusive. The evening meals were an experience in themselves, again the food and service perfect . We will be back.

We booked to come here for afternoon tea for a group of ladies celebrating someones 60th Beautiful setting and sun was shining so it looked amazing Due to mobility a car collected us and dropped us off so excellent service Roads from a38 were often single car and bendy not great for travel sickness sufferers was more stop start as had to let oncoming traffic pass Menu looked good had drinks on the terrace and had a look around Afternoon tea was booked for 12 due to tide times but wasnt ready until about quarter past Had the tea served and there was a dead fly quite a sizeable one lounging on a snadwhich which was replaced and as an apology there was an offer of prosecco which 2 out of the 5 of us accepted due to driving Sandwiches were ok and then there were 2 scones each and a macaron,Madelin , a coffee mouse and a chocolate and marmalade tart If im honest for me personally the deserts were not for me and i didnt eat them but the scones were nice Plenty of tea and when asked for extra jam and cream some was provided It was special for the birthday girl as she wanted to come experience the hotel however if i were to compare to other afternoon teas it was my least favourite for enjoyment of food and £55 plus service charge unless you ask them to remove it It was nice to sit on the terrace and enjoy the sunshine with friends and see the set up but i dont think id return Also note due to age of hotel is not particularly disability friendly and ladies loo is up 10 ish steps and other option is to use the gents

For a once in a lifetime experience - take the Tony and B suite. We stayed 4 years ago - and had to come back as we enjoyed it so much - and won't leave so long until we return for another stay

This art deco hotel dominates Burgh Island and looks rather out of place and even a bit scruffy. We went in for lunch and although the experience was amazing the individual components did not really add up. The interior is classic art deco with the hotel seemingly completed in 1929 as holiday accommodation for employees of the GKN industrial complex. There are loads of artefacts and historical anomalies around all beautifully presented in exquisite surroundings and certainly not scruffy here inside. At the back of the hotel, away from the eyes of visitors to Burgh Island, is a wonderful terrace with world class views over the sea. We had a light lunch on the terrace but you can also eat inside although booking would be required. The staff are impeccably polite and helpful but appeared very stretched. We were approached 5 times by staff asking us if we needed a menu before it was delivered. It always seemed someone else's job to do - provide menu, take meal order, take drinks order, serve the food. I was even asked (with a flourish) if I required tomato ketchup but it never arrived. So everything was done according to the book but there was poor delivery. Other guests were even taking their jugs to the bar for top ups of water! We had crab rolls which contained plenty of meat but lacked flavouring so were rather disappointing. With a lunch bill of £70 including a soft drink only this was excessive for the food and service. However the view, interior and staff mitigated this and hence 4 stars.

What a lovely place, art deco decor very carefully selected, even down to the radio in the suite. Music and vibe period. But what really made it was the staff, they look happy, all have a nice way about them, and are extremely helpful without being overbearing which makes for a wonderful ambience.

Iconic venue and definitely a place to visit at least once. We were well looked after from arrival at mainland car park throughout the weekend. Grand ballroom dinner with jazz band was perfect. Restaurant, reception and bar staff all friendly and efficient - special mention to cocktail mixologist Callum. Great place to step back in time and relax.

Really nice place takes you back to a bygone era, you can relax and enjoy the ambiance of the Art Deco period

Unique, friendly, relaxed hotel with excellent staff in a stunning location. If you love art deco then you should definitely stay here.

I enjoyed the experience of Burgh Island. It is an experience and if you want to dress for dinner (black tie) the ballroom is the place to eat, but if you want informal dining then Nettlefolds. My only very minor negative comment is there is no cold draught lager, there is bottled, but not the same. (There is "The Pilchard Inn" pub (1336) 2 minutes walk and part of the hotel). Some people like to dress up in the 1930's style which is great to see.

I have just left the beautiful Burgh Island and could not fault a thing. The service was impeccable; the decor was beautiful with such attention to detail and the food was second to none. I could not be happier with the staff and all they did to make the trip extra special; from taking my photo in the grand ballroom, the fudge left in my suite and they delicious mocktail made just to suit my tastes. Whether you are visiting for the day or staying, I could not recommend Burgh Island hotel more and hope to visit again. Thank you.

A thoroughly enjoyable experience from arrival to departure. Would recommend the hotel to all. All staff were a delight and extremely helpful. We definitely aim to return.

For the right type of person this would of been lovely but sadly not for us . A little old fashioned and stuffy, and I know its 1930s themed. Felt slightly trapped on the island. Food was good but have had better. Service was good making you feel special and picking us up from the other side was very efficient. The weather did not help our stay thick fog and drizzle!

It was great to be back.We stayed in the Malcolm Campbell suite which was great. The balcony is the one with the hotel sign, so makes for a great photo opportunity. Food and service in all restaurants was excellent. We noticed some changes since last year, but staff were great and weather was fantastic, allowing us to dance outside during dinner in the ballroom Saturday night

We had a fabulous stay at Burgh Island this week. Everything at the hotel was perfect. The furnishings throughout were so authentic, and meant a really special atmosphere was created. All the staff were fantastic, the black tie dinner was an amazing experience, and the room incredibly comfortable. We would love to come back. Thank you.

Being an Art Deco fan, staying at Burgh Island Hotel has been on my bucket list for years- my 2 sisters booked it to celebrate my special birthday. The Hotel, location and views all exceeded expectations, but it’s the exceptional levels of service which help to create a feel of an imagined 1920’s house party which is extra special. From meeting Steve, the lovely & funny driver, to arriving at the Hotel where Vlad welcomed us with a glass of champagne, it set the tone for our magical stay. The Hotel is even better than I’d imagined, with lots of original Deco pieces making it a wonderful Art Deco experience; the staff are friendly and professional (particular thanks to housekeeping on the top floor) and there’s a sumptuous food and wine menu. We swam in the Mermaid Pool despite it being freezing cold, just for the experience; we walked the Island and beautiful sandy beach and danced the Charleston to the superb live Jazz Band at the Dinner. The only thing we would change is to go for longer! Thank you to you all at Burgh Island Hotel for giving us this magical experience and wonderful memories! PS: The one downside was on leaving the Island and realising that the booked Taxi hadn’t turned up……that’s when we knew we were back in the Modern world!

We had an amazing stay at the Burgh Island Hotel. It was everything we had hoped for, an art deco lovers dream, beautiful features and stunning surroundings including the gorgeous Mermaid pool. Friendly staff, and excellent food.

Visited the Burgh island hotel for afternoon tea , a special birthday & wedding Anniversary treat from my sister. We arrived at the hotel no one about to find out where to go.Eventually shown to our table & given the menu my sister ordered 3 glasses of champagne 20 minutes later we were still waiting, so had to attract someone’s attention! the food was bought to the table no explanation of what it consisted off, no one came over to the table once to see if everything was okay & did we need anything? e were leaving someone came over & boxed the left over cakes these were put in a box the box tipped & put in a bag so when we got back they were completely smashed & inedible. The Hotel looks impressive, and from an era gone by, sadly let down by the service & food served would not visit again

My wife has wanted to stay here for a very long time. It more than exceeded her high expectations. Everything was so well organised from the detailed pre arrival email, to being collected at parking. All the staff were friendly, helpful and welcoming. We ate in the Nettlefold restaurant and it was faultless. Was it an expensive trip? yes. Was it worth it for a special occasion, absolutely.

Perfect in every way. Staff, venue, food. Everything was just simply perfect. Every little detail in this magical location has been loving chosen to reflect the art deco era. It is a totally one off experience and while expensive for a bucket list venue it exceeded any expectations I had. 25 suites,75 staff who are all natural, friendly and pleasant without being sycophantic or starchy. I didn't want to leave. Now I can't wait to go back.

It was our anniversary and my birthday and perhaps a little nod to that might have been nice.

.An excellent hotel with lovely staff. We stayed in the Beach house which has superb views, is spacious and tranquil.

Having previously stayed at Agatha Christie’s Beach House for three nights on a bed and breakfast basis at £1,200 per night, my wife initially said that the jury was still out as to whether the overall experience justified the cost. Following our stay, she took the time to leave what I felt was a balanced and constructive review on TripAdvisor, as well as sending a polite personal email directly to both management (Vlad) and owner Giles Fuchs outlining our concerns regarding communication, guest attentiveness and the overall luxury experience. Disappointingly, she has received no response whatsoever - not even a brief acknowledgement. Ironically, this lack of response has only reinforced the very concerns raised in her original review regarding guest engagement and attentiveness. Burgh Island itself remains a truly extraordinary place, but for a hotel operating at this level and price point, we honestly expected a rather more thoughtful level of customer care and communication.

If you like style and class with a slightly old fashioned feel this could be the place for you. Beautiful island & hotel, friendly staff, comfortable rooms and great food.

A fabulous get-away from it all hotel in a glorious location with spectacular views. The hotel itself didn’t disappoint - with lovely art deco interiors and furnishings, great food and friendly and attentive staff! The live jazz dinner was such a lovely experience too - the band was superb!

Celebrating a friend’s 60th birthday, we were transported back to the 1920’s. The attention to detail, the food, the staff & the accommodation was fantastic. Breakfast was exceptional.

The concept and the view

The hype was stronger than the actual reality We didn’t receive any information about the arrival process and could not gain entry to the car park Breakfast was not good enough for the standard of hotel that they claim to be Broken toilet pan which leaked (£500 room upgrade) We upgraded again on the 2nd night (£200) A smaller room with a lounge area We complained about the toilet and food and parking issues but we got no satisfaction in any way

We have just returned from a three-night stay in Agatha Christie’s Beach House at Burgh Island Hotel. Firstly, the positives. Burgh Island is truly an extraordinary and unforgettable place. The scenery, atmosphere, history and sheer uniqueness of the island are remarkable. The Beach House itself is beautiful and we are genuinely pleased to have experienced it. Many of the staff were warm, friendly and helpful throughout our stay. However, for a luxury experience at this price point (£3.9K for three nights bed and breakfast), we do feel there are some important operational and communication issues that could significantly improve the overall guest experience. The recurring theme throughout our stay was a lack of clear written information. Everything appeared to rely heavily on verbal explanation which sounds charming in theory, but in practice became quite stressful and confusing at times. On arrival we experienced confusion regarding the check-in process itself. After waiting in the rain for transport to the island, we were eventually collected by a very pleasant driver and taken across to Burgh Island. We were shown into the Palm Lounge where we were warmly welcomed and offered a welcome drink. After finishing our drinks we asked whether we could now check in and whether the Beach House was ready, as it had not been explained to us that this welcome process effectively formed part of the check-in experience itself. We were simply told that Vlad would come and speak to us shortly. After some further waiting, Vlad arrived, verbally explained various arrangements such as breakfast, and then escorted us to reception for our key. We asked whether room service was available to the Beach House. The response appeared somewhat uncertain and we were advised that it depended on the weather conditions. This may well be entirely understandable given the island’s unique location, but it would have been very helpful to have clearer written guidance on this. In hindsight we understand the intended flow of the arrival experience, but at the time the lack of explanation left us uncertain as to whether we were waiting correctly, had been forgotten, or were expected to do something further. When we arrived at the Beach House, our first impression was genuinely “wow.” The property itself is beautiful, spacious and positioned in an extraordinary location with stunning views across the coastline. However, we were surprised to find there was no written guest information whatsoever within the Beach House itself. Given the unique logistics of staying on a tidal island, this quickly became quite frustrating. There was no information or guidance regarding: • breakfast times or arrangements • how transport to and from the mainland operated and that there may be significant waiting times • how to contact reception or hotel services • how to book spa treatments or activities • how appliances, speakers or the hot tub operated • what to do in the event of an emergency • and any other information that would have been helpful during our stay Everything appeared to rely entirely on verbal explanation and guests remembering information given at various points during arrival. On our first morning at breakfast we mentioned to our waitress that we were surprised there was no written guest information available within the Beach House. She explained that this was because “Vlad is the walking information guide.” Whilst the comment was clearly well intentioned it actually reinforced the issue we had been experiencing. We explained that after travelling and arriving on the island, it was difficult to remember all of the verbally delivered information we had been given, particularly when much of it was delivered all at once and other practical details had not been explained at all. To her credit, the waitress completely understood our point and agreed that some form of written guest information would probably be very helpful for visitors staying on the island. On our first evening we ate at the Pilchard Inn, which is undeniably full of charm, history and atmosphere. The building itself is wonderful and feels exactly as you would hope from a historic island pub dating back to the 1300s. The food menu was exceptionally limited which slightly surprised us given the hotel’s luxury positioning and isolated location. Service from the staff was warm and friendly throughout. For example, when I ordered a double Bacardi and Coke, Joe returned apologetically to explain that the pub only had enough Bacardi left for a single measure. Later, at our request, he kindly went up to the hotel to see whether additional Bacardi was available there, only to discover that the hotel itself did not stock it. None of these things were major issues in isolation, but together they contributed to the wider impression that certain aspects of stock management, communication and guest expectation could perhaps be better aligned with the premium nature and pricing of the overall experience. Another example of the communication difficulties occurred one afternoon when we returned to the mainland side and required transport back to the island. Following the instructions we had been given, we telephoned the hotel and spoke to Vlad, who informed us that a vehicle would be sent to collect us. After waiting for over half an hour with no vehicle arriving, we eventually began walking across the causeway ourselves out of frustration and uncertainty. Partway across we were fortunately spotted by a very pleasant driver who kindly stopped and offered us a lift back to the island. During the journey he explained that the transport team had apparently been told that we had decided to walk across, which was simply not the case. We had specifically telephoned to request collection, otherwise we would never have waited in the first place. Again, this reinforced the wider issue we experienced throughout the stay - namely a lack of clear, consistent communication and coordination. A further example occurred on our final evening. We had another reservation booked at the Pilchard Inn but, having already experienced the limited menu on our first visit, we decided to cancel the booking. We therefore left a message with reception asking for the reservation to be cancelled. However, later that evening we received a telephone call asking where we were, at which point we had to explain again that we had already requested cancellation through reception. On the morning of departure, after settling our bill, I happened to ask - almost as an afterthought - whether we needed to arrange transport back to the mainland for our luggage and return to our car. I was informed that transport departure slots did in fact need to be booked in advance. This had never previously been explained to us at any stage during our stay and, again, there was no written information provided within the Beach House covering this process. Fortunately we were still able to secure a departure slot, although only the third available slot that morning. Had the system been explained earlier, we would naturally have booked this in advance ourselves. One final disappointment was that my husband had informed the hotel in advance that this stay was intended to celebrate my 60th birthday. Having since read other guest reviews mentioning birthday acknowledgements and small celebratory touches, we had perhaps expected that this occasion might at least have been acknowledged during our stay. Unfortunately nothing was ever mentioned. Future guests should also be aware that long delays for transport to and from the mainland can occur, particularly if the sea tractor is unavailable due to weather or maintenance. This is entirely understandable given the island’s unique setting, but clearer communication around these arrangements and possible delays would help guests manage expectations far more effectively. What Burgh Island unquestionably delivers is atmosphere, history, theatre and uniqueness on a scale that is very difficult to replicate elsewhere. However, it would benefit enormously from clearer guest information and more consistent communication. That said, we do not regret visiting. Burgh Island is magical, dramatic and unlike anywhere else we have stayed. We simply feel the experience could be made significantly more relaxing and polished with better practical communication for guests. So, at approximately £1.2K per night, was it truly value for money? The jury is still out on that one!

This was the most glamourous exclusive hotel stay we have ever enjoyed. The whole 1920s experience was perfect. We enjoyed the band on Saturday with one couple dancing a Foxtrot much to the entertainment of other guests. The cocktails were delicious as was the food. Everything was amazing. The best experience ever. And the most professional staff we have ever had experience of.

Overall, an experience that could not be had elsewhere, but it felt like we were paying for that, especially with a large and unexpected service charge.

What a wonderful stay. From the moment you book - communications are frequent and helpful - to the moment you park your car and are picked up in a chauffeur driven car (tide was out) glass of bubbly on arrival in the hotel - nothing is too much trouble. The ambience and service was brilliant. I have recommended a stay to everyone I know and we will be back.

Brief visit for afternoon tea and it was exceptional. The tea itself was super, very tasty scones and sandwiches and the staff were lovely. The twins who run the bar and restaurant area were highly professional and charming. We were looked after perfectly. It was lovely to be back.

Enjoyed a fantastic couple of days at the fantastic Burgh Island hotel. Service, accommodation and meals of the highest quality. Highly recommended!!

Absolutely Everything

Amazing and very special experience especially for lovers of Agatha Christie. We feel so fortunate to have had this experience.

Burgh Island is a magical adventure, especially for Agatha Christie fans. It was a stunning recreation of a time gone past. The staff were all lovely and accommodating. The scenery was exquisite and we thoroughly enjoyed our time at the hotel.

When you approach the island you fill with intrigue . It is steeped in history and the service is faultless. It is a little haven of stepping back into the 1930’s

We returned yesterday from our first visit to Burgh Island Hotel, having wanted to stay for a number of years, we finally took the plunge and booked. What an amazing experience we had, from being greeted on arrival and transported across the sand to the hotel, the warm welcome and chilled glass of Champagne, which we enjoyed in the Palm Court Lounge overlooking breathtaking views, our lunch at the Pilchard Inn, walks around the island and across the beach, a trip on the Sea Tractor, dinner in the Grand Ballroom, breakfast in the Nettleford Restaurant, food and service excellent, and the icing on the cake, being put in the Christie Room! Although there is a feeling of “grandeur” the atmosphere and service is never stuffy, the staff are friendly, welcoming and go above and beyond to make your stay as comfortable and special as they can. Having waited so long to visit I was worried it would not meet my high expectations, it exceeded them. Even the 6 hour journey to get home has not put us off planning our next visit. Thank you all for making this such a great experience.

Tom went above and beyond to help me with a personal request. Indeed, all the staff were dedicated to professionalism.

None.

It was a wonderful nostalgic experience. The food was amazing and the staff were lovely. We would particularly like to mention Tom who greeted us on arrival, Lucy who served our drinks and lunch on the beautiful patio and Red on reception.

We stayed in the Cunard Room and found the electrical outlets were in the wrong place for the easy use of hair dryers and other electrical equipment.

Staff were excellent. Location was great

Nothing not to like

This is one of the most magical places you could ever visit or stay in. You actually feel that you are in a movie as soon as you arrive. The staff are all wonderful, the setting is just beautiful and the service is another level. Plenty to do and see, or if you prefer to just relax, as my wife did. It's just perfect for that as well. Just Magnificent! Steeped in history, beauty and charm, lawn croquet on an island, sea tractors, Daily Bugle, even dinner one evening inside the Captain's cabin of 'HMS Ganges' where my Grandfather once trained. Surreal! Highly recommended!!

Lovely venue, friendly staff Long time waiting for drinks, some incorrect and others missing on delivery Half clotted cream substituted with whiped, as stock ran out Top up drinks ordered but forgotten about. So further delay in arrival The sandwiches, scones, pastries and deserts were excellent. Another table noisily "kicking off" about service. Watch out for the automatic added 12.5% charge if you are not happy with service Would give a higher score if just one issue

The whole atmosphere was amazing. It was like being transported back to the 30's (In a good way!) The staff could not do enough for us, as it was my wife's birthday, they made sure that we had an amazing room, with sea views. The food was top quality, and the service was exceptional. We can't wait to go back.

Parking on the Main land was extremely limited and the covered parking area was very difficult to negotiate.

Location and hotel communal interior

Dangerous bath in really small bathroom not in keeping with the definition of suite.

I genuinely can’t say how amazing our trip to Burgh Island was. From being collected to leaving. It was a lifelong dream for my mum and she loved every single minute of it. An incredible place with the most attentive staff. Beautiful setting and wonderful food. Thank you to all the staff

A lovely hotel from a past era with gorgeous views and excellent service. We had dinner, bed and breakfast, and was all lovely. This was a 60th birthday treat for my lovely lady, and it did not disappoint !

We stayed for 3 nights at the Burgh Island Hotel to celebrate my birthday. The hotel is beautiful, fully Art Deco style and on it's own island. All the staff were very helpful and friendly and made us feel so special and welcome. Our room was lovely. We had a balcony where we sat and enjoyed the wonderful views and spotted lots of wildlife. We thoroughly enjoyed the Pilchard Inn for two of our evening meals and dressing up for a wonderful meal in the Ballroom on my birthday was something special. The little things like the warm welcome with a glass of champagne, the personalised welcome card wishing me a happy birthday and a box of fudge in our room helped to make our stay something special. In particular the Happy Birthday mention that they included in their daily Burgh Bugle was a nice touch. We highly recommend The Burgh Island Hotel and we are looking forward to visiting again soon.

We stayed only one night but loved everything. Room was amazing, staff so friendly, views stunning. We enjoyed the sea tractor ride. Food was wonderful. So peaceful in the evening and a wonderful sleep. Already saving to go back another year, hopefully for longer!

Every thing about the stay was amazing. Great views, great rooms which were kept clean and tidy. Food and drinks were amazing and all staff were very helpful and friendly. I loved the atmosphere it was like going back in time.

We had the most wonderful stay at Burgh Island Hotel - was a magical place. Everything is just so beautiful. Highly recommended.

I booked for one night while staying in the area so splurged for a suite (Avon) with a sea view from a balcony. As soon as I saw the view (which looks back across the beach to mainland, and includes a view of the Mermaid Pool from the lounge) and the charming suite itself, I booked a second night. The hotel decor and views are amazing. You may need to arrive at lower tide because in windy/rough weather the sea tractor cannot run. The hotel has a lift but in places is challenging for someone with mobility issues (the case for me, but I knew the pinch points from a prior visit). No mobile service in or near hotel (the same goes for most of Bigbury across the beach on the mainland) but visiting friends reported the top of Burgh Island has excellent mobile service. I really hope to return one day.

From start to finish the lovely staff made us feel so special...from the super helpful tractor/ferry drivers to Alison who gave us a massage just before we left...and everything in-between was perfection.

This was our second visit to Burgh Island. The first was January 2020 when we stayed for two nights and included a meal in the ballroom where we dressed up formally. This time was just one night on a mini tour of the South Coast so we ate at the Pilchard Inn. The food there is good, home made with locally sourced ingredients. The hotel is expensive but we've been lucky twice to find special offers and this time that included being upgraded to a suite. Unfortunately, both visits have been during high winds and taking a proper walk has been impossible. Staff are delightful, helpful and not pretentious. Highly recommended.

Faultless stay… very fortunate with the weather but even if it was awful it would be have a treat. The staff make it extra special.bring surf boots if you want to swim in the mermaid pool,

A tick for my bucket list, as had wanted to stay here for many years. The setting for this hotel is amazing with the access to the island determined by the tide. Our suite was tastefully furnished in 1920’s style, though room sizes small the bed and sitting chairs were very comfortable, as was the bath for a leisurely soak. Unfortunately though bath was unsuitable for my partner as due to mobility issues it was difficult climbing in and out was tricky. The hotel staff were lovely , though unfortunately at times service was slow between courses often we’d be shown to our table and the menu had to be asked for . Maybe if having canapé’s in the bar the dinner menu should be given and the order taken before being seated to give the chef more time to prepare dishes. The ballroom lacked atmosphere as many left their tables once their meal had finished meaning that by 9pm there was only one or two tables still occupied whilst the music continued. Our second night in the Ballroom the band didn’t arrive till 8.30 so that really wrecked the evening. The most disappointing thing was the food, which was very poor in many cases and lacking presentation for fine dining. The first night my dessert was inedible the pavlova was rock hard and impossible to eat, the waiter changed this for cheese and biscuits unfortunately the cheddar I was given was inedible as was given a slice of thick rind!! The waiter agreed with me and said chef must have left it standing too long! Some form of chips came with every meal, dover sole was disappointing as lots of tiny little bits of bone had been left in the fish, the most disappointing meal was the lobster, badly presented served with a lot of frozen (cooked) chips slapped on plate with watercress on top. The meat was impossible to retrieve so had to ask for the correct implement’s to scrape the lobster meat out! One night I had beautiful juicy mussels in creamy sauce but another night the same dish wasn’t cooked to the same creamy standard and the mussels were inferior. Breakfast again wasn’t great , we always had to ask for some fresh fruit as the bowl was always empty, cooked English wasn’t the best burnt streaky bacon was impossible to eat! No haddock or kippers on the menu just mackerel . I would loved to have said this place was amazing in all ways, but left feeling very disappointed due to the food.

Very unique hotel. Arrival to the island builds excitement and very warm welcome by staff adds to the experience. Amazing art deco bar and beautiful grounds and views.

There is something magical about the Burgh Island hotel and its delightful Art Deco style which pervades every room. The staff are attentive and polite. Little things like the warm welcome with a glass of champagne, a personalised welcome card and box of fudge in the room are all nice touches that help to make a stay special and memorable.

I have seen this striking hotel from one angle or another for most of my life. Most excellent to have now visited and enjoyed the building and the experience of staying there.

Had a 2 night stay at Burgh Island and what a treat it was! It's been on our radar for a long time and we finally made it. The whole experience is amazing - the staff are wonderful and really make you feel welcome. Decided to have dinner in the grand ballroom on each night - first night we had the entertainment which was lovely, The second night I think a lot of 2 night guests decided to try the Nettlefield so it left the ballroom with far less people so you might want to bear that in mind. However, we really enjoyed both nights in there and the food was amazing. Loved how everything has been kept in the style of the era as the whole ambience of the places oozes with character. Will definitely return!

We cannot recommend this hotel and its location more highly. Whether you are a fan of Agatha Christie, the 1920s/1930s, the Jazz Era - or just enjoy staying in an excellent hotel with keen staff and a good eye for detail - Burgh Island Hotel is an opportunity to step back in time, experience good hospitality (which, sadly, is often part of a bygone era), and immerse yourself in the most relaxing, beautiful seaside location, with stunning views, an air of luxury and an atmosphere that is a world apart. We loved it - from start to finish - and our two days away were simply not long enough. We could have stayed forever!

We booked for afternoon tea, got dolled up in our 20s outfits, and were bowled over by how beautiful, glamorous, and so Art Deco the Burgh Island Hotel is. It was the dream of a lifetime to go somewhere like that and expectations were well exceeded. Staff lovely, caring and attentive - food fine. I would love to stop overnight sometime - but will be beyond our budget unfortunately!!

We spent two nights at the Burgh Island Hotel. It really is a unique hotel keeping the tradition of the Art Deco era. The food is delicious and the staff are very professional. The island is very small and as the weather was not very good - we had very strong winds - we were not able to make use of the tennis court or croquet and the sea tractor was unable to ferry passengers across. There is not a lot to do so take a book and relax.

Amazing staff, gorgeous decor, fabulous location & scenery. Feels very unique, great for a special occasion.

The sea tractor was not operating on the day of arrival, which meant we had to amend schedule for spa treatments but staff were very accommodating & managed to fit us in.

Beautiful location Unique hotel Very calm and peaceful Lovely attention to detail in decor Great service Comfortable, warm

I think it would benefit from a hot tub though appreciate not in keeping with the period

Fabulous few days in this lovely art deco hotel on Burgh Iskand. Where mese can you dress in the style of the era, enjoy inventive cocktails, supberb food all delivered by an exceptional team. We stayed in the Artists studio, which has superb views and an extremely comfortable bed. Love the fact there is no TV. Whilst we didn’t win the murder mystery it was great fun. Lovely to see everyone in their finery

Always wanted to visit Burgh Island and so glad we finally did. The whole experience is magical - the location, the hotel, the staff, the food - everything is amazing. One of the best experiences we’ve had. Thank you to everyone there.