Anchorage Hotel

First, the good points. Staff were friendly and welcoming, my room and bedding were clean, and the shower worked well. The location was good, a short, pleasant walk to the clifftops. Breakfast was OK, there was a bowl of lovely natural yogurt available for a few days, but this had disappeared by the end of the week. No fresh fruit, only tinned. No fresh coffee either - just sachets of instant. However.... The hotel is very dated and rather depressing inside, and much in need of redecorating. Dusty plastic plants hanging from pots on the wall don't help! My room was tiny and very basic. I wasn't expecting The Ritz, but I've stayed in student rooms with more space and some attempt at cosiness. The floor had strange, disconcerting dips in places and the frosted window in the shower room had no blind, and the frame was crusted with black mould. My main complaint was with the evening meals. I was with a tour company, who had noted that I am vegetarian. The first two evenings there was a vegetarian option (meals were buffet style for tour members). Neither was very appetising, and both lukewarm. The third evening the menu listed the veggie option as nut roast, but I couldn't see any and was told it wasn't available. I said I was a vegetarian, and the waitress said she'd ask the chef. She came back and told me they were looking for it, and would let me know! It eventually turned up and tasted not bad. The following night I was again told the veggie option (nut roast again) wasn't on offer. On enquiring what I could have, the nut roast miraculously appeared again! I reported this to reception and was assured that the next evening there would be a suitable dish, which there was. The next night the vegetarian dish was again not available until requested, and the final night I was told the vegetable curry stated on the menu wasn't available. After some time, a curry was produced and was the most disgusting meal I've ever been offered. A nasty curry sauce, with bits of leftover sweet potato from the previous day and some chunks of almost raw courgette and aubergine. Totally inedible. The young waiter was very apologetic and said he'd tell the chef, who apparently "couldn't think what happened". I told the receptionist of my experience, and she too was apologetic and later said she'd had words with the chef. He clearly either despises vegetarians, or just can't cook. This is the 21st century, many people are vegetarian or vegan or even if not, enjoy a vegetarian meal sometimes. I felt like some kind of unwelcome oddity by the end of the week. I know another guest with food intolerances was having similar frustrations, despite the hotel having been informed. I shall certainly never go to this hotel again.

We needed a last minute place to stay for one night, and to be honest, booked the first place with a vacancy. So we were delighted to be met with some of the most helpful, friendly staff, a very clean and comfortable room with great facilities, a great hot tub and beauty therapist, nice food, great cocktails and great atmosphere. The deco is a bit dated, but just adds to the olde English charm of a traditional sea side holiday. The staff could not have been more helpful and attentive with special mention to Isobel and Naomi at reception (and particularly Isobel for helping fix the electrics after I accidentally blew the sockets in our room!) and Charlotte the beauty therapist who gave me a fabulous pedicure with great banter. We wished we could’ve stayed for longer, but will definitely be back next time we holiday in Devon. Having read some of the reviews on here… we were worried we might be entering a hotel of horrors, but thought it was great value for money and our expectations we’re exceeded.

By far the most unclean hotel I’ve stayed in the bathroom was grimey and full of dirty , the carpet in the room was black , the bedding was damp and our kids found a bottle of alcohol beside their bed , and the girl on reception was rude !

I am absolutely disgusted and extremely disappointed with the way the director of The Anchorage Hotel, Russell, spoke to me on the phone today (before he hung up on me!) My husband booked us in for a massage on the 30th May but on the day I was really ill so he asked the receptionist (Daisy) if we could rearrange to which she said yes no problem. So I called up today to book a new date for us to go back and get the massage. Russell said he was only happy to book one of us in with the original payment and the other person would be charged additionally because it was only me that was ill and my husband could have still had the massage that day (never mind staying with his wife to make sure she was ok!) This wasn’t what we were promised by the receptionist previously which is what I explained and his reply was ‘so you say’ so I asked him if he was implying that I’m lying? And if so he should speak to the receptionist that promised this to clarify the agreement and his response was ‘that was nearly a month ago do you really think she’s going to remember that conversation?’ I asked him if I could speak to the manager and he told me he was the director and there was no one above him so I asked him for his name but he refused to tell me (I later found out his name was Russell when my husband called up and spoke to another member of staff) when I asked for his name again he hung up on me! I have never received such awful customer service and I will never be returning to this hotel again after being accused of lying, having a promise taken away from me and the cherry on the top being hung up on by a so called ‘director’.

Poor customer service, dated rooms and average breakfast. Was more like a 1960s hotel than a spa! Russell (the manager) was rude and condescending and the other staff were unhelpful. For the price, there are other places nearby I’d opt to stay in future.

Our twin room was in a shocking state of disrepair and filthy. The shower had a thick layer of mould, hairs in the shower and the bath mat covered in brown stains. The carpets were filthy and stained and the walls splattered with disgusting stains. The furniture was badly stained and falling apart. We had to leave as it was so bad, the hotel are now ignoring our requests for a refund. Our hard earned money has been taken with no apology. AVOID at all costs and shame on the manager for ignoring our requests for a refund. I would be ashamed to treat anyone the way we have been treated, given the disgusting room we were given.

The staff were great polite and friendly ,our room was No24 quite a hike up the steepest stairs iv ever seen,the room it self was clean but very dated all furniture had seen better days tops had water damage and faded ,bathroom window had frosted glass and no blind, shower was old and had stiff control .overall it was ok stay except for noisy people in room under us very laud talkers no good if you wanted a good night sleep went on untill 4 am ,breakfast was good plenty of if ,hotel was in a very good position for pubs restaurants local shops and beach ,5 min walk and close for local attractions and buses ,overall it was what it said on the tin,a 3 star coach trip hotel.

Nice little hotel about ten mins walk from Babbacombe downs with its lovely views and Mediterranean planting. Very clean throughout. Comfortable bedroom- we booked king size bed as wanted a bit of room to move. Had a view of pool and hot tub. We ordered a meal from the bar each evening And the food was presented well and served in a timely manner. Tasty too. We enjoyed listening to a singer both evenings Which made for a pleasant couple of hours. Drinks at bar were reasonable price. Left the best bit till last - the staff - led by the lovely Daisy, were fab - nothing too much trouble. Friendly but professional. We will be back in the winter for your brill deal. Thank you.

The anchorage hotel is ideally situated for various activities, the staff were helpful and friendly and the food was very good the pool was an added bonus would definitely recommend hotel to friends and family

We stayed here as part of a trip to France and England. A great location, service and food. The only improvement for us would be a better mattress.