 By Eve Hartridge follow Eve on Twitter
It has won numerous awards, including Devon's Hotel of the Year for 2010 and more recently The Most Romantic Hotel in UK and Ireland. The hotel has just fifteen rooms and suites and a chocolate box style cottage hidden in the woods at the end of a mile long private drive complete with private walled garden. The rooms have recently been refurbished and are to a standard that you would expect in a luxury country hotel. I was also delighted to learn that the hotel is dog friendly with a wonderful welcome attitude to our canine companions. Dogs can stay in certain rooms at a cost of £10 per night and also in the private thatched cottage. The owners had even thought to include a map of suitable walks along with some treats in a K9 welcome gift, Elvis was sold already!
Combe House is home to two multi award winning chefs, Hadleigh Barrett and Stuart Brown. Where possible, produce is locally sourced from Devon including delicious fresh seafood often caught that morning. I was lucky enough to enjoy fresh scallops from Brixham and beef that was raised in a field that I could almost see from the dining room. The wine list is extensive and extremely well chosen, with a large selection of Chablis which made me wish I was staying for longer. No stay is complete without experiencing a divine afternoon tea, be sure to have a light lunch or plan a pre-tea walk as you will feel like Alice in Wonderland and will find all of the "Eat Me" treats irresistible.
The surrounding Devon countryside is perfect to explore if you can drag yourself away from the homely hotel drawing room with endless reading material and board games. Sidmouth beach is nearby and great for those looking to get a lung full of sea air. Animal lovers must visit the world famous Donkey Sanctuary which celebrates it's fortieth anniversary this year and was founded by the inspirational, late Dr Elizabeth Svendsen MBE. The sanctuary has a number of walks to meet the donkeys, which can be enjoyed with your dog, staff just ask that they are kept on a lead. Children will love the Donkey encounter yard where you are able to cuddle and pet some of the residents.
http://www.thedonkeysanctuary.org.uk/
Combe House is offering some very special Valentine breaks on 14th, 15th and 16th of February 2013 with prices starting from £215 B&B per room per night. The chefs have also planned a wonderful six course tasting menu for £70 per person. On the most romantic day of the year, where better to stay than the UK's most romantic hotel? Then again, you'd struggle not to fall in love with Combe House on any day of the year.
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