Sometimes a stellar staycation is just what you need when you want to eschew the palaver of airports, tiny little bottles of liquid and over-priced breakfast that may or may not cost more than the price of your outbound ticket.
We all know that the fair isle of Britain is a smorgasbord of delights and in particular the West Country which includes the beautiful county of Devon is home to an abundance of stunning beaches, quaint villages and spectacular countryside around each corner.
Whether you are looking to book a family getaway, a fun trip away with friends or a romantic escape, Gara Rock near Salcombe has been described as ‘Devon’s finest seaside bolthole’. The drive is certainly not for the faint-hearted; the roads leading to Gara Rock may be pretty, but are winding and narrow. Thankfully, the promise of a glass of wine coupled with the friendly welcome curtail our enhanced cortisol levels, not to mention Gara Rock’s ultimate relaxing-inducing hideaway, The Secret Suite.
This super-stylish accommodation certainly lives up to its name – it is a suite that is squirrelled away from the main buildings and is only accessible by a path of which the directions are, as you might imagine, infinitely secret.
Of course, as much as I would love to reveal the location of this clandestine enclave, I’m sworn to secrecy, so instead let me tantalise your imagination and paint you a picture of what you can expect from The Secret Suite.
Sleek and contemporary looking, the building is entirely covered in glass with floor-to-ceiling windows, never bettered than the view from the bed, with an entire wall given over to the terrace and the sea beyond. Perched on a cliff, it makes you feel like you are standing on the edge of the world – and the view is for you, and you alone.
As you might expect, inside, the decor takes inspiration from the sea and its coastal surroundings, but tastefully, not tacky. Think exposed woodwork, knotted rope doorstops, raffia lampshades and nautical lamps – and, again, a virtually wrap-around wall devoted to the view, with bifolding doors that open out to the garden. There’s a dining area, complete with a substantial dining table, a spacious lounge complete with all the modern amenities you might expect, all of which overlook the countryside-meets-the-sea vistas.
The jewel in the crown of The Secret Suite has to be the bathroom – insert your own chef’s kiss here – with a walk-in dual shower and an impressive rolltop bath and the hotel thoughtfully provide relaxing bath salts along with other designer toiletries.
Outside, with deckchairs and a tub chair to relax in – alas, the jacuzzi has been removed – come the summer, you might spend most of your time out here just soaking in the sun and sea breeze.
For winter escapes, though, Gara Rock amps up the relaxation levels in the main building, with a cosy lounge, with plenty of shagpile throws, plump cushions and soft sofas. There’s also a boutique cinema room, too, where guests can book a private viewing of a classic film. While tempting, during our stay, it was the spa that ticked all the boxes and more when it came to a relaxing swim, a dip in the mosaic-adorned jacuzzi and a turn in the steam room.
And then there’s the dining. This being Devon, the highlight in the main restaurant is in the ‘day boat catch’; never mind farm-to-fork, this is straight off the boat onto the plate, via the kitchen where it’s transformed into a daily special. Speaking of the Kitchen, this second space provides a more relaxed, kitchen table-style dining with light bites, salads and burgers. And the breakfasts are fantastic; they are excellent at catering for dietary requirements and the hotel offers the most amazing gluten-free bread.
Everyone assumes seaside retreats are for the summer, but if you ask me, nothing beats a dramatic seascape setting during the winter months, for those cosy firesides, wild views and being at one with nature – all helped by having some of those fine things at your fingertips. And it’s all there at Gara Rock.
Two-night Winter Breaks at Gara Rock start from £461. For more information, including details of the Secret Suite (sssh), and the other ‘out of the ordinary suites, please visit www.gararock.com.
