6 Luxury Experiences in Devon You'll Never Forget
1. Unleash your inner gourmand at The Elephant Restaurant, Torquay
Do you love fine food, warm welcomes, and wine lists you can get lost in?
Good news. We've got the perfect luxury eatery experience for you – and it's a stone's throw from our luxury hotel and spa.
You'll find this Michelin-starred secret next to Torquay's historic harbour. So, stroll over, take a seat and prepare to be wowed by its delicate take on Devonshire cuisine. All dishes are made using local ingredients, wherever possible, and are cooked under the guiding eye of Simon Hulstone, one of the UK's most decorated chefs.
Fancy a truly luxurious (and Instagram-able) experience in Devon? Go for its tasting menu, which promises a parade of bite-sized seafood, lush meats, and crisp veg. Bon appétit!
2. Explore Devon in a sports car
Lounging and luxuriating is wonderful, of course. But if you get itchy feet, there's only one place to go – the open road.
And there's no better way to explore Devon's valleys and vistas than in a shiny, open-top sports car. You know – the kind that makes passers-by stop in their tracks, take photos, and tell their friends.
Take one look at Emission Possible's fleet of classic cars and you'll feel like a special agent in the making. The company will even deliver, so you can step right out of our luxury Devon hotel and get into the driver's seat of a four-wheeled dream machine.
Don't fancy driving? For this luxury experience in Devon, go for Prestige Supercar's birthday package. It comes with a chauffeur included, so you can enjoy riding in a majestic Mustang even if you've yet to pass your test.
Either would be a fine way to take your luxury experience in Devon on the move, we think.
3. Enjoy a bubbly boat tour of the River Dart
Is the sun shining? Here's an idea for a luxury experience in Devon: leave the pubs and restaurants to those landlubbers and set off on the open waves instead.
Dartmouth's The Fizz Boat offers a luxury experience in Devon like no other. Part private cruise, part liquid lunch, this idyllic adventure sees you bob gently up the River Dart with no distractions but stunning views and a glass of Champagne.
Fancy some nibbles as well? Choose from one of The Fizz Boat's gourmet serving platters and you can turn your tour into a river-borne restaurant experience. Options include seafood nibbles, afternoon tea and a breakfast board complete with croissants and a fizzy cocktail.
Is there a more luxurious way to start the day? Answers on a gilded postcard, please.
4. Take a private tour of Devon's most famous sights
Guidebooks are great if you're planning a do-it-yourself Devonshire weekend. But for a true luxury experience in Devon, you can't do much better than a guided tour.
Devon is gorgeous, after all, so you'll want to keep your eyes off the page and on the scenery. Select South West Tours lets you do just that, with bespoke tours led by local guides.
Groaning at the thought of tour groups and bumpy bus rides? Don't worry – these are 100% private tours. You'll be picked up from your hotel and personally chauffeured by a friendly local expert.
For a luxury experience in Devon, we recommend the Devon Choices Tour, which includes some of our county's most interesting and spectacular attractions. Take a one-day trip and choose two memory-making highlights or extend your tour across two days and see a magnificent six sights, including Plymouth Barbican and Exeter Cathedral.
5. Become a gin expert (for the day)
Gin has come a long way since the days when it was ruining mothers and inspiring riots. In modern times, a fine gin is as distinguished a drink as any brandy or Bordeaux and can be a part of a truly luxury experience in Devon.
Want to learn what makes a good gin sing? Head to Salcombe Distilling Co.'s Gin School. This luxury experience in Devon combines three of life's finest things: education, experimentation, and gourmet alcohol.
Under the tutelage of one of Salcombe's gin experts, you'll learn how to make your own gin in a genuine copper distilling pot. Once you've perfected your creation, you'll take it home in a personalised bottle packed into a presentation box.
Of course, you'll get to sample your work too, this is a luxury experience in Devon, after all. Each lesson ends with a tasting session in Salcombe's beautiful waterside bar.
6. Indulge in a spa session at Lincombe Hall
We couldn't recommend luxury experiences in Devon without mentioning our own spa, could we?
If you're looking for some Torquay TLC, you won't find a more relaxing destination. Our spa is kitted out with top-flight facilities and offers a swathe of Mediterranean-inspired treatments to help you unwind and live your best life.
Take it easy – choose a Torquay spa day and drift between our pool, gym and sauna at your leisure. Or go all in with a three-day spa break, complete with a three-course meal, afternoon tea and more.
