ガラ ロック(Gara Rock)

Stopped for a coffee break during a walk from Salcombe. There was no price list, which I believe is law and we were charged £10.13 for 2 coffees, which doesn’t make sense. The saving grace was the coffee was good.

Fantastic location, The staff were so friendly the rooms were amazing swimming pool and sauna and Jacuzzi with spotlessly clean. Perfect for a couple hideaway weekend I was lucky enough to stay for a couple of nights would definitely go back. Highly recommend.

Our room was spectacular and the view outstanding. Beds so comfortable and the service in the restaurant was fabulous. Would definitely return, maybe in the summer next time when we can take more advantage of the beautiful surroundings. We Would recommend a stay here to anyone.

Wow! Gara rock is a hidden gem. I went with my family for Sunday lunch. The moment we walked through the reception and saw the views from the restaurant they are amazing. Our meal was delicious and the staff very friendly and happy to make suggestions on the specials available. Many thanks 😊

The restaurant has a very limited menu and is over priced. Choice of 2 starters (burrata or mussels) in the main fancy restaurant unless you go for the tasting menu at £85 a pop. My main was a piece of over cooked sea bass with some fancy over ripe tomatoes plonked around it. That was £45 a head for 2 courses! The best thing about the hotel is its location. Stunning views of the south west coast path and immediate access onto it. However the pool is tiny, the sauna and steam rooms weren’t working correctly and they service the rooms between 3pm and 5pm which can be annoying if you come in from a lovely long walk and just want a soak in the bath. All first world problems I know but at £300 a night for a sea view room I expected more.

We arrived at Gara Rock having walked from Salcombe and were greeted with a cold and unfriendly welcome. When we said we were only having drinks we were told we had to sit outside in the rain and began talking with a lady who had been sent outside because she ordered a tea cake! We were refused tap water by the waiter and could only purchase large bottled water. We were made to feel like second class citizens and got the feeling the staff wanted us to leave as soon as we arrived. Unpleasant experience all round.

A wonderful stay that was so nearly five star. The location is breathtaking, you couldn't get more of a sea view if you tried. Eating dinner and breakfast with that backdrop was quite special. The rooms were amazing; gorgeous rainfall shower, huge comfy bed, bath in the room, soft towels and robes, coffee machine and a balcony. Most of the staff were very friendly and helpful. The high points were the view, the room, the food and the cocktails. Two things for me stopped it being five stars; A lack of communication - for example, we were not told when breakfast was or how it worked, such as what was included in the pre paid breakfast package, nor were we told the time of check out either. We rang reception quite a few times to clarify some of this but got no answer. The main thing that let it down for me was lack of vegetarian options, particularly in the main restaurant. To pay that much and only have one option was disappointing. Especially when they had three or four extra specials in addition to the menu and not one of them was vegetarian. I even asked about additional options and was told that was it. It seemed kids were better catered for as I witnessed kids in the restaurant being served personalised meals off menu. So overall, close to five star but I feel some improvements needed on customer service.

Hotel's main attraction is its location, its truly stunning, right on the coast with access to coast path. We had a junior suite and it was lovely, big and beautifully furnished, could do with a chest of drawers though.. anything more than two or three days and you'd be working out of your suitcase. The staff are friendly and some were very helpful. Our big issue was the Kitchen restaurant. I'd written to check if they had gluten free bread for the burgers and they confirmed they did, but when we ordered in the restaurant, they didn't, so I had to order the burger without the bun.. and that's exactly how it came, one lettuce leaf, one slice of tomato, one slice of onion and the burger on top.. all on a small side plate.. It indicates a kitchen that takes little pride in what it serves.. No attempt was made to dress the plate or to supply an alternative to the bun.. Maybe a mushroom some avocado, some caramelised onion.. anything to make it look less sad than it did. The fact that the Kitchen restaurant feels like a temporary arrangement placed in the lounge didn't help.. also the seats we were on were more like upholstered bedroom chairs rather than dining chairs meaning the table was too high and you had to lean out of the chair to eat. I expressed my disappointment and they gave us a glass of wine and eventually took the burger off the bill. Its also worth noting that breakfast is £20 each, but does not include what they call 'speciality coffee'.. not sure if you'd call a flat white a specially coffee and pretty unreasonable to then charge another £5 if you want one with your breakfast. It has pretensions of an upmarket boutique spa hotel, and the rooms suggest it is.. but the quality of the food and service from the kitchen is way below that level. Worth going for location and rooms, but eat out.. plenty of good places in Kingsbridge if you're up for the drive.. if not.. stay somewhere else.. we wouldn't go back.

We arrived home today after a two night stay at the utterly dreamy Gara Rock and I have been dying to leave a review because this place is a complete gem and thoroughly deserves whatever accolades/praise comes its way. The location is of course utterly beautiful but it is the staff that make this hotel so special (aside from the plush furnishings and sumptuous interiors). Every single member of the team couldn’t have been warmer or more helpful, a special mention to Katie who was so knowledgeable and such a brilliant representative of the hotel. We ate in both ‘The Kitchen’ and the main restaurant where we went for the relatively new tasting menu. The former was the best fish and chips I’ve ever had and the tasting menu was utterly wonderful, creative, beautifully presented and delicious. We used the spa and each had massage treatments which was such a treat. Sophie the therapist was wonderful. Pool area was beautiful, clean and what a view! Gara Rock left such an impression on us that we are returning at the end of May. This time with our two children and the Grandparents, we cannot wait!