The Victoria Hotel & Source Spa

Let’s start with a positives majority of the staff are exceptionally polite and courteous. It’s got a traditional charm and high standards. The three course dinner and breakfast were delicious, highly recommend the food. The spa has been modernised to high standard but it felt overcrowded with only eight people memberships and hotel guests. Now for our negatives! we didn’t spend much time in our room on the Saturday night, we stayed in the lobby listening to band. At around 6.45am on the Sunday morning, I was woken by the people around walking around their room. The chandelier was shaking and the glass shells rattling, it didn’t stop until 8am by that time I was wide awake. Then, when we returned to our room after breakfast, the chambermaid knocked the door and went explained we weren’t ready get (about 9.30 - but 11am check out). I went for a shower and as I was getting out the chambermaid entered the room without knocking, very embarrassed as my mother-in-law was in her swim wear and I was wrapped in a towel, she just looked down and left the room without a word. Then about 30mins later she walked in again, she did say sorry this time, which I said you must knock before entering rooms. We went down to check out of the room but stay for our spa treatment. The manger said he would get the chandelier checked by the maintenance team as they wouldn’t want it to disturb anymore guests. We went down to the spa and waited for a treatments, which were very good. When we settled the bill the manager had taken a cup of tea off the bill £4.50. It was meant to be a relaxing spa night away, to be woken up so early and then made to feel we had to leave our room was not what I expected.

We spent a delightful three nights at the Victoria Hotel earlier this month, blessed with fine weather. As first time visitors, we were in the minority, as many guests were multiple time returners. Our room was on the 3rd floor. It had not been refurbished, but was clean and comfortable with extensive wardrobe space. The bathroom lacked shelving, which meant there was nowhere to store cosmetic bags and large items (apart from a narrow mirrored wall hung cabinet). This could easily be rectified with the addition of a shelf underneath the basin. The room, which was located in the rafters, was incredibly hot. We were supplied with a small fan but this did not help at all. I should note that although the weather was fine and warm, there was no heatwave in Sidmouth! I would avoid a 3rd floor room on a future visit. We asked Housekeeping to supply a cotton sheet and we removed the duvet at night. Despite the warmth of the room, we had a wonderful view of the sea. Prior to arrival, we were emailed by Reception, asking us to book our dining preferences. After consideration, we emailed back, booking a table at the White Room on all three nights. They confirmed back that this had been booked for us. On arrival, we confirmed our dinner bookings at Reception. On the first evening, we arrived at the White Room (very pleasant smaller dining room) but the member of staff in charge said that there was no booking for us there - and we'd been booked into the main Jubilee Restaurant. You can imagine our surprise, and it was as if we had to supply proof and we were trying to enter this dining room illegally!! Eventually we were seated and the member of staff adjusted our bookings on the system. It was all rather embarrassing and irregular! We were glad to have booked the White Room, as there was space between tables and the service was very attentive. The menu offered plenty of choice and we dined very well over the three evenings. We had breakfast in the Jubilee Restaurant each morning and our allocated table was very small and cramped - pushed up against another table, separated only by a screen. It seemed that this was the situation for many of the tables and we were glad not to be having our evening meal there! That said, the staff at breakfast were very attentive and the hot breakfast was cooked to order and delicious. Throughout the hotel, including the bar and pool area, the staff were excellent and always had a smile for guests. This is the second Brend hotel we've visited, and it did not disappoint, apart from the issues listed above. We did think that the sandwich lunches were overpriced at an eye-watering £16 for basic ham on white. The DBB offer was more acceptable, although the A La Carte options were overpriced, easily matching London Mayfair prices! All that said, we look forward to our next visit (although not on the 3rd floor).

Victoria hotel & source Spa is a true retreat from the world. Excellent dining with great attention to service and great recommendations. Spa was also excellent and very accommodating. Great sea views from our room. Really worthwhile. Expect an older crowd.

As with our experience of other Brend Group hotels, the Victoria was delightful and fulfilled our very high expectations. Would recommend to all.

Stayed in the Belmont next door, but want to recommend the Victoria's outdoor Lido and bar area. The staff are always ready with drinks and food and any towel or sunbed requirement. Nothing is too much trouble for them!

Our third visit to the Victoria. Again excellent service and all the staff are very helpful. Food was excellent and we made good use of the Spa. We had our 14 month old son with us and all the staff were very helpful throughout the hotel. Just the small things make a huge difference. Nothing is too much trouble for the staff at the Victoria. The only thing we would recommend is air conditoning in the rooms. The room was rather warm as we were in a heat wave but other than that no problems at all. If you are considering a hotel in Sidmouth go to the Victoria, you won't be disappointed.