Experiencing the luxuries at Devon's Glazebrook House Hotel

The stuffed flamingo beside the door as you walk in to reception gives you a good idea of what’s in store at Glazebrook House hotel.

Everywhere you look there’s something to surprise and delight, from the Spitfire wing reception desk and the collections of musical instruments, signs and hats mounted on the walls to the custom furnishings.

There’s a definite Alice In Wonderland feel about the newly-refurbished hotel set in four acres of secluded gardens in South Brent, Devon.

That’s reinforced by the names of the eight bedrooms in the luxury boutique establishment: White Rabbit, Mad Hatter, Cheshire Cat, Jaberwocky, Tweedle Deez, Bread & Butterflies, Caterpillar and Gryphon.

But this is sophisticated styling, it’s not slavishly themed and, in fact, the decor had largely been decided by the time the room names were chosen.

The mood may be British eccentric with the feel of a 19th-century gentleman explorer or collector’s country house and 900 vintage pieces dotted around the bedrooms and public areas, but there’s nothing fusty or old-fashioned about the hotel.

The owners Pieter and Fran Hamman, with the aid of a design team led by furnishings expert Timothy Oulton, also commissioned 450 pieces of hand-made furniture and had 22 tons of marble imported from China to create a wonderful mix of old and new.

Pieter’s ethos is that everything in the hotel should “surprise, delight and enrich”.

The White Rabbit bedroom

Our bedroom certainly fulfilled that criteria with mood lighting and quirky features: chandeliers were suspended from thick ropes with hangman’s nooses, there was a collection of old cine cameras on the wall and the black, white and grey bathroom – with under floor heating – was beautifully tiled and had 3D design marble on the floor.

Along with soft white robes and the thickest towels I’ve ever encountered in a hotel, Glazebrook also won points with a free mini-bar (a decent selection of wine, beer, soft drinks, sweets, chocolate, crisps and nuts), complimentary wi-fi and an iPad to use in the room.

“I don’t like to be nickel and dimed,” said much travelled Pieter, explaining why he offers the gratis extras often charged for at even the most upmarket hotels.

The brief to surprise, enrich and delight carried through to dinner in the hotel’s restaurant.

The kitchen is ably run by MasterChef The Professionals 2012 quarter finalist Ben Palmer and features modern British dining using quality local ingredients.

The dining room

We kicked off with an amuse bouche of smoked fishcake.

It was amusing to the eye, as well as the palate, coming in a Kilner jar which contained smoke until opened.

The rest of the meal was just as tasty and good looking, featuring freshly caught fish dishes and local meats and cheeses served up in inspired combinations.

There’s a chef’s table in the kitchen where people can dine or take part in cookery classes or demonstrations; and a designated room where enthusiasts can be guided through tastings of wine or whisky.

Glazebrook also has a weddings licence, offers conference facilities and caters for events.

Everything is full of personality – even the 12-delegate boardroom.

The curtains form a huge Union Flag, the table is of brushed aluminium and the swivel seats are of a comfortable, cream sheepskin: all very Austin Powers!

After a good breakfast and a stroll around the gardens, where plans are afoot for a tea party area and life-size chess board, it was time to depart... thoroughly surprised, delighted and enriched.

ESSENTIALS

* Glazebrook House Hotel, South Brent, Devon TQ10 9JE 
glazebrookhouse.com 01364 73322
* Single £159 per night; superior double £199; luxury double room £239, all include breakfast

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