Saunton Sands Hotel, Braunton, Devon

Comments from other mumsnetters:

Praised for having "superb food" and "wonderful childcare" this "traditional English seaside hotel" overlooks a beautiful beach. "Children's teas were fabulous with a choice of menu." You can choose to stay in an apartment "with all the freedom that that entails" and still use all the "excellent facilities of the hotel, including the indoor pool and nursery." "If you want a rest with your children, this is a great place to visit" and "relatively speaking it's brilliant value - particularly if you go on a special family long weekend deal."

A fabulous location, and as the weather was good when we stayed we went to the beach down the track every day. Decor was dated especially in our family suite but comfortable. The pool was warm. We were intending to use the creche but it was closed - the management said it was nothing to do with them. The service was slow, particularly for the children's meals. The adult food was OK but nothing special. On the last night we discovered that our 'family room' was directly above the dance floor, as our 15 month old's cot bounced off the floor with the vibrations. He did well for 3 hours before finally losing it - and screamed for the next 5 hours. The holiday was memorable for our exhaustion at the end. If you go, check where your room is! It was cheap out of season.

This is a luxurious hotel right on the beach at Saunton Sands which is a vast sandy safe beach in a beautiful part of North Devon close to lots of great places to visit . The hotel has an indoor and out door pool, gym type thing, table tennis etc and you can walk down to the beach. When we were there they had a children's entertainer and there is a creche which looks very well equipped and is staffed by trained staff, ofsteded etc . We didn't use it but would have done so if staying for longer. Hotel serves early tea for children and then offers a baby listening service while parents have a lovely dinner. It is perhaps a bit formal for us - husband had to wear a tie for dinner, which we would not normally do - but was lovely nosh.

Service has deteriorated recently, according to everyone we spoke to, due to problems with a new chef. We waiting hours for every meal. Guests were up in arms. The kids food was awful - nuggets, squash etc - though apparently about to be revamped, and kids have to eat first from 5-6 - far too early for ours - with no kids meals available at dinner time.