Bucket list tick ✅

Liked: Everything was perfect

Exceptional

Exceptional

A fabulous venue in an...

Liked: A very special establishment in a beautiful secluded bay. Incredibly friendly and helpful staff. Our actual accommodation was a superbly appointed cottage overlooking the bay
Disliked: Sadly Shell Cottage adjoins the main pub/restaurant and what I believe was the extractor fan was clearly audible for the duration

Exceptional stay in a stunning...

Liked: The welcoming and helpful staff in abundance. The superb location and stunning sea views. The cleanliness and everything you needed and more in our cottage. Food was gorgeous .
Disliked: We couldn’t find any faults at all.

Resting on its laurels of...

Liked: Exceptional location, beautiful views, nicely designed rooms. Lovely views and position of spa. Dinner was enjoyable, good service and nice touch to have the pianist. Some of the staff are great.
Disliked: The breakfast experience really let down the stay. Fawlty Towers-esque vibe, guests clearing tables themselves, tea arriving followed by mugs 10 minutes later, dirty tables, no fresh fruit, food taking forever to arrive and eventually turning up luke-warm. Really poor service. Some of the staff border on rude and could really do with some basic customer service training. The spa is tiny, we had complimentary access but normally residents have to pay extra (£15 pp) to use the spa which seems outrageous given how limited it is.It's a bit quirky in the sense that the dining room and breakfast room is all one, which feels like an olde worlde pub with a small conservatory area with lovely views, the breakfast buffet is spread along the bar top and the reception is a little table in the corner of the pub. Not necessarily bad, but not what you would typically expect from a five star hotel. When a hotel is rated as five star, you have certain expectations which this fell short of in most respects except the position and views. If it was 3/4 star you would probably be relatively impressed (except the whole breakfast chaos) but it is in no way a five star experience. Stayed at many 3/4 star hotels that have far exceeded Cary Arms. Disappointed to come away feeling this way when its been a hotel that we've admired from the water for a few years, but the reality is very different to the appearance.

maximum a 3.5 star rating;...

Liked: friendly and helpfull
Disliked: not clean; poor service: many times during our 7 night stay, we had to ask for refilling items; bathroom primitive and dirty carpets on floor; dogs in restaurant close to people

Amazing

Liked: The view and the cottage were amazing. One of the best places I’ve ever stayed.

Location super and food and...

Liked: Superb location, Vice Admiral room view was exceptional. Main house/bar is a period house so reflected in the older rooms and delivers on expected charm. Food was excellent and atmosphere and friendly staff added to the experience. Plenty of character, direct access to beach and quiet/picturesque neighbourhood.