Business Details
Luxury Hotel in Ilfracombe with Stunning Sea Views
Established in 1850, The Darnley Hotel is a family-run establishment nestled in the heart of Ilfracombe, Devon. Our independently owned property combines historic charm with modern comforts, offering six elegantly appointed rooms and two self-catering cottages. The hotels tranquil gardens, illuminated private path to the High Street, and proximity to North Devons coastal attractions make it an ideal base for exploring the region. Our dedicated team has implemented a rolling programme of updates to preserve original features while ensuring guests enjoy contemporary conveniences.The in-house restaurant serves locally sourced breakfasts and evening meals, including gluten-free and vegetarian options, complemented by a licensed bar. Secure bicycle storage and drying facilities cater to active visitors, while event spaces accommodate business meetings or social gatherings. With accolades from TripAdvisor and a commitment to hospitality, we provide a warm welcome and personalized service to ensure memorable stays for families, couples, and solo travelers.
Services
Rooms
Self-Catering Cottages
Licensed Bar
Dining
Event Hosting
Highlights and features
- We offer family-friendly rooms and self-catering cottages with modern amenities.
- Our in-house restaurant serves locally sourced, home-cooked meals daily.
- We provide secure bicycle storage and drying facilities for active visitors.
- We host events in flexible spaces with licensed bar and catering options.
- Our private path leads directly to Ilfracombe High Streets shops and attractions.
What people say
Lovely stay
Superb meals
Comfortable and welcoming
Great hosts
Perfect location
Services
Rooms
Our six en-suite rooms blend historic charm with modern comforts, featuring daily courtesy tea trays and family-friendly options. Located in central Ilfracombe, they provide easy access to local attractions and the South West Coastal Path. Each room ensures a restful stay with contemporary amenities.
Self-Catering Cottages
Beech and Magnolia Cottages sleep up to four guests, offering one-level living with stunning views of Ilfracombe. Pet-friendly and equipped with kitchen facilities, they provide flexibility for extended stays while remaining close to the hotels amenities.
Dining
Our licensed restaurant serves breakfast, afternoon tea, and evening meals using locally sourced meats and produce. Dietary requirements are accommodated with advance notice, and the garden-facing dining room offers a choice of indoor or outdoor seating for pre-dinner drinks.
Event Hosting
The Darnleys dining room and lounge host events from business meetings to social gatherings. The dining room seats 28 with catering and AV options, while the lounge provides informal spaces for smaller groups, all supported by our teams expertise.
Local Exploration
We offer secure bicycle storage and drying facilities for guests exploring North Devons Tarka Trail and South West Coastal Path. Our location provides easy access to beaches like Woolacombe, Exmoor National Park, and Lundy Island boat trips.
Questions
How do I book a room at The Darnley Hotel?
Book online via our freetobook page or call us directly at 01271 863955 with your preferred dates and party size.
Are pets allowed in the accommodation?
Well-behaved pets are welcome in our self-catering cottages but not in hotel rooms.
Does the hotel offer dining options?
Yes, our licensed restaurant serves breakfast, afternoon tea, and evening meals using locally sourced ingredients.
What nearby attractions are accessible from the hotel?
We’re near Ilfracombe Harbour, the South West Coastal Path, Exmoor National Park, and beaches like Woolacombe and Saunton.
Can I host an event at The Darnley Hotel?
Yes, our dining room and lounge accommodate events from meetings to parties, with catering and AV support available.
Is there parking available for guests?
Yes, we provide private parking for cars and secure bicycle storage with drying facilities.
Reviews (7)
Tim Morse
Oct 01, 2021
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Really nice hotel, lovely room, breakfast was great. Lovely secret shortcut to town. Only downside awkward to get into carpark off road, that's a minor thing
Annette Belcher
Sep 26, 2021
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We didnt do tge hotel or eat there so cant comment, we stayed in one of the cottages although i wouldnt of calked it a cottage, was damp and needs tlc
Kevin Senter
Sep 18, 2021
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Access into property very poor for large cars.
Grounds overgrown and needs attention. The manager not very welcoming on arrival.... We was shown to our room to top floor the manager pointed out flood damage to the ceiling and walls with mould on the walls. The room itself was clean but needed updating nothing like the pics shown on website. Breakfast was ok.. Myself and my partner felt very uncomfortable there and cut the stay short by 2 days ... It was our 3rd year anniversary and wanted a special time but was very disappointed.... Ilfracombe itself is very run down and not a nice place
Grounds overgrown and needs attention. The manager not very welcoming on arrival.... We was shown to our room to top floor the manager pointed out flood damage to the ceiling and walls with mould on the walls. The room itself was clean but needed updating nothing like the pics shown on website. Breakfast was ok.. Myself and my partner felt very uncomfortable there and cut the stay short by 2 days ... It was our 3rd year anniversary and wanted a special time but was very disappointed.... Ilfracombe itself is very run down and not a nice place
Dragonie
Sep 03, 2021
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Pretty good place, were very welcoming. Was on the top floor and was a bit odd having the bathroom on the other side of the floor where our room was but nothing that major, did need a lot of fans in our room tho (dont think that can really be fixed anyway). Very good access to the city with a private path through, didnt have breakfast there but it was pretty good would come again.
Eastvillepark
Aug 06, 2021
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This is a very comfortable hotel with parking available. I had room on top floor and a separate private bathroom. The breakfast was very well present and tasty. The service was slow. I think covid restrictions made serving much slower than normal
James Mcmillan
Jul 06, 2021
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Great location, close to the town centre, traditional hotel, with character charm. Friendly atmosphere, and owners.
Ann Phillips
Jun 22, 2021
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Waited nearly an hour for evening meal and 45 mins for breakfast. Then charged 5 surcharge for choosing steak! No toast offered for breakfast. Room clean and comfortable. Place lacked finesse. Cigarette ends in garden.
