Dartmoor Inn Merrivale

This is my second time staying at the Dartmoor inn merrivale and it was just how I remembered. Staff were amazing and very accommodating, location was fantastic, food was unreal and the bed was extremely comfy! Staff were really accommodating for my 8 month old, which we couldn’t appreciate enough and our dogs loved it too!

Location in the Moors.

Attended the Inn for dinner and a night’s stay for a birthday celebration on June 28, 2025. There were hits and misses with our experience at the Inn. Check in was fine. Our room was basic with an ensuite. No television. Had to request body wash, as our bottle was empty. Room clean enough, but needed a rug cleaning and painting touch ups. Went for our dinner reservation and were promptly seated. A little confusion as to whether it was table service for the bar, or head to the bar for drinks orders, as we weren’t told which it was. It was table service. Put our drinks order in and waited 15 minutes or more for our drinks. Fair dues to our server who said drinks were on them for our wait. Ordered our food with a starter to share and our mains. Fairly promptly our mains were set up on our table. We then asked that the starter be canceled as it was obviously forgotten. My partner ordered a Sole dinner, and sadly it was below standard, since it wasn’t cleaned properly and was incredibly bony. A fellow diner close to us had the same issue. Again, fair dues to the staff for removing the sole from our bill. My ribeye steak was very nice, as were the accompanying sides. During our dinner, no server asked how our food was until we brought it to their attention. Dessert was a shared tart. We waited 20 minutes for the tart, and then asked after it. It was a nice tart. All in all, it was a somewhat disappointing experience. We had a seat next to the bar, and I was able to watch the staff work and interact. My impression was that the service team were understaffed or inexperienced, or both. There was a really polite young man working behind the bar who was obviously so new he didn’t know where to find the bottle opener or proper gin shot glass. I hope he sticks in and learns the ropes. The young lady who checked me in seemed to be in charge of the service area, but was overwhelmed with managing phone calls and the other two servers, so she couldn’t be effective as a server.

Food was excellent.

Not much

Great views over he Moors friendly staff comfy beds

I wouldn't say there was anything I really didn't like but there was no TV in rooms which might put some guests off and the pub closes at 9 which is a bit early. Last orders for food is also 7.30 which is a bit early and if you are not a massive meat eater this is definitely not the place for you as there is a large meat fridge actually in the bar. I would say it's more of a restaurant with rooms.

The location was great and the food was excellent

The evening meal was exceptional!

A bit foggy in the restaurant!

Great location and property in keeping with location

We love the location great walks and views Warm and cosy and welcoming staff. Excellent breakfast

We were looking forward to dinner in their restaurant however on arrival found that they only offered a limited options as was the chef’s 2 nights off. Very tired, stained, worn and loose carpets dangerous on the stairs and on entry to our bathroom. Entire property was grubby and bedding had stains. Bathroom ceilings in need of repair. Rubbish and dust underneath the bed There was a bathroom next to our room for other guests and it was in constant use throughout the night and it sounded lime guests were entering our room.

Amazing location. Pub was great - you much try the steak for dinner or Sunday lunch. Owner very ameniable.

There was a slight lingering cooking smell around downstairs due to cooking stove set up in pub for the beef!