Saunton Sands Hotel

Perched upon the cliffs of north Devon is a spectacular hotel which is the epitome of a rural, coastal escape for the lone traveler, a young couple, a group of traveling golfers, or a family of four (or more) - all seeking a seaside and sand-filled break from the norm. This one-of-a-kind destination is the Saunton Sands Hotel, based on the outskirts of Braunton in north Devon. Not only is the Saunton Sands Hotel located along the north coast of Devon, where it overlooks the confluence of the Atlantic Ocean and the Bristol Channel, it sits in a position of strength, high above the sands of the adjacent beach. The views from every room of this hotel out to sea are something to behold and can't be properly explained or appreciated unless you are actually there in person. To actually reach the beach, there's a downhill walking trail that traverses the cliff, eventually finishing at the foot of the sandy beach. At low tide, it's another five minute walk to the edge of the sea. Just as the walk to the beach is 100 percent downhill, the walk back to the Saunton Sands Hotel is 100 percent uphill. But, it's a pleasant trip with your bare feet through the sand.....with sandals or flip flops in hand.

While a trip to the beach is difficult to resist, the trip back up the hill will generate the need for a snack and a beverage, which can be enjoyed as you relax on the lawns of the hotel or along its expansive pool deck.

Inside the hotel, the traditional and, at times, modern-day décor reflects the English holiday spirit and way of life. There are comfortable and spacious indoor locations where you can unwind, read the newspaper, respond to emails on your tablet or cell phone, engage in conversation with family members and newfound friends, enjoy morning coffee, eat lunch, or have a cream tea, most likely served with locally produced Devonshire cream.

The dining room at the Saunton Sands Hotel is an elegant venue for breakfast, lunch or dinner. And, dinner is often served in two different shifts. I suggest the late shift. After all, why feel rushed to get prepared for the final and most elegant meal of the day, which serves as a celebration of a spectacular day by the seashore. Here, you have two destination dining decisions -- you can eat inside or outside, depending on the outdoor elements at the time. While breakfast and lunch are more casual, dinner is definitely more formal, yet not pretentious. After a day of walking to and from the beach, taking a dip in the sea, playing a game of badminton or croquet on the lawns of the hotel, and lounging by the heated pool, it's a refreshing break from the norm to put on trousers, a button-down shirt, and a jacket to conclude the day while enjoying a first-class appetizer, salad, soup, entrée, and dessert followed by cheese, biscuits (which the Americans refer to as crackers), and coffee. Yes, you won't go hungry or thirsty at the Saunton Sands Hotel. A wide selection of beers, wines, and spirits from throughout Europe give you a diverse and continental selection of adult beverages that range from scotch from Scotland, beers from Belgium and Germany, and wines from France, Spain, and Italy. As for the tea, it, most likely, is imported from India or Sri Lanka.

If golf is one of your favorite pursuits, then the Saunton Sands Hotel is a perfect stay-and-play venue, as two of the finest and most well-regarded golf clubs in England are nearby - Saunton Golf Club and Royal North Devon Golf Club. The Saunton Golf Club is less than a mile from the hotel and the Royal North Devon Golf Club is located in the nearby town of Westward Ho! near Bideford. For golfers looking for a long weekend of golf, the Saunton Golf Club actually features two courses - Saunton East and Saunton West - while Royal North Devon's 18-hole layout, the oldest links course in England, is a thrill to play. If you have any interest in golf's history, it truly is an honor, a pleasure and a privilege to play Royal North Devon. After your round, check out the golf memorabilia which is on display inside the Royal North Devon clubhouse.

As you stroll along the fairways of Saunton East and Saunton West, there are no sounds of nearby cars, buses, motorcycles, or airplanes and there are no homes on the golf course or resort hotels overlooking the golf course. Instead, at the Saunton Golf Club, you are at one with Mother Nature from the moment you begin play until you hole-out on the 18th hole of either course. On the surrounding countryside, you'll also see the occasional windmill which is generating power from the ever-present breeze which is a signature staple of this golf club.

Royal North Devon GC has been described as a wild and natural course where golfing traditions are on constant display. This course is simply a special place where golf is enjoyed throughout the year - whether it's early January or late June. This par-72 (36-36) layout, as its website correctly states, is "pure, raw exhilaration." When you step foot on this course, you will sense that feeling of pure and raw exhilaration.

It's worth noting that the Saunton Golf Club and Royal North Devon Golf Club are members of the group of six championship links golf courses known as the Atlantic Links (atlantic-links.co.uk). These links courses overlook the confluence of the Atlantic Ocean and the Bristol Channel. The other courses along the Atlantic Links are Burnham & Berrow Golf Club in Somerset and two courses in Cornwall -- St. Enodoc Golf Club and Trevose Golf & Country Club.

So, if seaside tranquility, exquisite cuisine, a guest-centric setting, a classy atmosphere, and access to world-class links golf are your goals, then you will agree that the Saunton Sands Hotel is a dynamic destination.