Bovey Castle named Devon’s best large hotel for third year running

Five-star resort Bovey Castle has been named Devon’s best large hotel for the third consecutive year, following a period of rising sales and continued investment.

The Dartmoor-based hotel won gold for Large Hotel of the Year at the Devon Tourism Awards, and also received bronze for Resort Wedding Venue of the Year.

The Devon Tourism Awards recognise leading tourism attractions, venues and experiences across the county. Winners can be fast tracked into the South West Tourism Excellence Awards, with the potential to progress to the national VisitEngland awards later in 2026.

The latest recognition follows a year of major improvements at the resort, including a £160,000 investment in golf facilities. Enhancements include a new golf shop, a member’s lounge and an all-weather driving range on the hotel’s 18-hole Championship course, which has been named among the top 100 golf courses in Britain.

Bovey Castle has also strengthened its sustainability credentials, securing a Gold Green Tourism accreditation, a global sustainability certification.

The award reflects the work of the Bovey Castle team in adopting regenerative practices, including its kitchen garden and wildflower meadow, which supply fresh produce for the hotel and provide educational environments for visiting schools and guests.

Investment in facilities and digital channels has also delivered commercial growth, with room revenue rising by 10 per cent year-on-year to more than £4.8 million, while new users on the resort’s website increased by 68 per cent.

General Manager Dean Gunston said: “This past year of achievements has really underlined to me just how much of an asset Bovey Castle is to its staff, the local community and the wider region – and this award win is the icing on the cake.

“Our success starts with our people, and this award is testament to the five-star service they deliver day in, day out to customers, and behind the scenes too – whether it is helping to meet our net zero target by 2040, or helping to create engaging new experiences for our guests, such as the new deer park tour to explore the wildlife on our doorstep.

“We have more exciting plans for the year ahead, and who’s to say we can’t go for a fourth win!”

Bovey Castle offers 60 bedrooms within its historic manor house, as well as 22 self-catering country lodges set within 275 acres of countryside.

Facilities include Smith’s Brasserie, tennis courts, the Elan Spa, and a wide range of on-site experiences for adults and families, including falconry, archery, cider and sloe gin-making and 4x4 off-road driving.