Red Lion Hotel

This hotel is in an idyllic setting with the most wonderful views over the harbour from all the rooms and the restaurant.What made our break (40th wedding anniversary) was the friendly, attentive and helpful staff who did all they could to make our stay a hugely enjoyable experience. The room was generously proportioned and relaxing. The food was both of excellent quality and quantity.

I stayed @ the Red Lion for a weekend break and found it wonderful.
The rooms were very cosy and spotless with fantastic views of the harbour.
Breakfast was very nice with a good selection to choose from.
I dinned both evenings in the Harbour Restaurant and was surprised with the menu. There was freshly baked bread a very good selection of starters and the main course was without a doubt the best Hake dish i have ever had followed by a mouth watering Raspberry crème brulee.
The views from the restaurant were breathtaking, the staff were very friendly especially Stephen, the new Head Chef.
I did on several occasions ask to see the manager to thank them for a really good break but he didn't seem to be there very much, maybe next time.
I would definitely recommend the Red Lion for a quiet break away and i will return.

I had noted some adverse comments posted in 2006 . I can assure any visitors in 2008 that the hotel offers an execllent and friendly service , all of the staff are helpfull from the local breakfast waitress through to the evening Austrailian waitress.
The food at both breakfast and dinner is beautifully presented with a menu larger than you would expect from a 2 star rating. In summary, they may have had problems in 2006, but now it makes for an excellent short break. We had 4 nights and were sorry to leave.

Excellent! We came down for a weekend away from it all, and that's exactly what we got.
Super little hotel, fantastic location, very friendly staff - especially Yvonne.
Being in Clovelly was a little like being back in time. We ate in the bar - food and service absolutely fine. Room was very nicely appointed and clean. It was lovely being able to hear the sea just below our bedroom window.
Will definitely be back - next time in mid winter - must be great here on a stormy winters night!

After reading the comments about the Red Lion we nearly didn't go, and expected the worst. However I can honestly say that we had a great time, and in a location like that you can't really go wrong.
We arrived late and were met by very friendly local people who clearly wanted you to enjoy yourself. They are not silver service and clearly have not been trained to the standard that some people would expect.
In fact, the head waiter was really an electrician who was helping out in the restaurant in the evening. His proper job however was as a Sheppard on a local farm.
The food was gorgeous, with mouth watering dishes to choose from, and the fillet steak melted in your mouth.
The rooms were spotless and we had the sea about 30 yards from the bedroom window. You could hear the rocks being churned up by the wild sea, which lulled us off to sleep at night.
The rooms were spotless with beams running through them, and not too small as seems to be suggested in other reports about the Red Lion.
We took advantage of their 3 nights for 2, dinner B&B offer which was excellent value, and would recommend the place to anyone, who enjoys a unique, quirky and most definitely English country experience.
If you want anonymous large city hotels with food cooked to a script and staff who pretend to be nice but only smile because they want a tip, then don't go to the Red Lion.
Leave the place to be enjoyed by the rest of us.

Agree with previous comments that this hotel has a stunning location. It is a shame that they do not make more of it.
The food, and service, that we received here was abysmal. Everything was frozen and of extremely poor quality, badly presented and cooked. Steak and kidney pudding can only be described as dog food served with chips, not even a pea in sight. Extortionately priced at almost a tenner. The staff were honest in that they agreed the food was appalling and would not eat there themselves even thought their food was free! Says it all really!
This established thrives on exploiting their captive audience. The Clovelly management company who appear to own this establishment should be ashamed of themselves. Give it a visit Gordon Ramsay.