The Royal & Fortescue Hotel

Hotels
8.4 (2458 reviews)
Boutport Street , Barnstaple , gb

listing image 1
Show all photos
Free
Children allowed
Pets allowed

Facilities

WiFi available
Free WiFi
Parking
Free Parking
Non-smoking rooms
Air conditioning
24-hour front desk
Restaurant
Room service
Heating
See all facilities

Review Highlights

Pros:
Friendly staff
Great location
Clean hotel
Cons:
Noisy in the mornings
Food quality issues

Categories

Cleanliness
8.79
Spotlessly clean and well-maintained throughout.
Service
9.26
Friendly and professional staff who went the extra mile.
Location
9.3
Handy location within walking distance of the town and waterfront.
Room Quality
7.25
Reasonably spacious room but faced noise and smells from the kitchen.
Amenities
8.78
Good overall hotel facilities with a cozy atmosphere.
Value for Money
7.74
Price may not reflect the quality of some food offerings.
Food and Beverage
7.29
Some food items, such as breakfast, were rated poorly, but sweets were nice.
Overall Experience
8.76
Generally a lovely stay with great festive atmosphere.
* This sentiment is summarized by AI based on user reviews.
Updated at: 2026-01-09 06:16

Property Description

Charming Historic Hotel in the Heart of Barnstaple

Old World Charm with Modern Convenience: The Royal & Fortescue Hotel seamlessly blends historic character with modern amenities, offering guests a unique and comfortable stay.

Dining and Entertainment Options: Indulge in exquisite dining at Lord Fortescue's restaurant or unwind at the popular "62 The Bank" cafe/bar/bistro, all within the hotel premises.

Leisure Facilities at Your Fingertips: Guests can enjoy access to the leisure facilities at the sister hotel, The Barnstaple Hotel, ensuring a relaxing and enjoyable stay throughout.

Book your stay at The Royal & Fortescue Hotel for a delightful blend of history, comfort, and convenience.

Important information:

Guests are required to show a photo ID and credit card upon check-in. Please note that all Special Requests are subject to availability and additional charges may apply.
Please inform of your expected arrival time in advance. You can use the Special Requests box when booking, or contact the property directly using the contact details in your confirmation.
Guests under the age of 18 can only check in with a parent or official guardian.
A deposit may be required at the property.

Check-in and check-out hours:
Check-out: 11:00 AM
Airport code: EXT

Property Policies

  • Groups

    When booking more than 4 rooms, different policies and additional supplements may apply.

  • Parking

    Free private parking is possible on site (reservation is not possible).

  • Pets

    Pets are allowed on request. Charges may be applicable.

  • Internet

    WiFi is available in all areas and is free of charge.

  • Children and extra bed policy

    Children of any age are allowed.
    Children up to and including 2 years old stay for £5 per person per night when using an existing bed.
    Children from 3 years old to 12 years old stay for £15 per person per night when using an existing bed.
    Children from 13 years old to 17 years old stay for £25 per person per night when using an existing bed.
    Children up to and including 12 years old stay for £10 per person per night when using an available extra bed.
    Children from 13 years old to 17 years old stay for £20 per person per night when using an available extra bed.
    You haven't added any cots.
    You haven't added any extra beds.
    Supplements are not calculated automatically in the total costs and will have to be paid for separately during your stay.

Location

Guest Reviews

8.4
Based on 2458 reviews
Cleanliness: 8.79
Service: 9.26
Location: 9.3
Room Quality: 7.25
Amenities: 8.78
Value for Money: 7.74
Food and Beverage: 7.29
Overall Experience: 8.76
P
Philip • solo_traveller • gb
10
Pros:

Helpful staff.Nive place

Cons:

Nothing

2026-07-11 • via Nuitee
V
Vicki • extended_group • gb
9
The staff make it feel like a 5 star stay. Impressive!
Pros:

The staff are super professional and very welcoming

2026-07-11 • via Nuitee
J
Judith • family_with_children • fr
7
2026-07-11 • via Nuitee
J
John • solo_traveller • gb
7
Good place to stay but have breakfast in one of the nearby cafes
Pros:

It’s a great location with plenty of parking and you can use it from any time on the day of arrival - I arrived at 11.00. Decent size room, big bathroom, and a comfortable bed. Also, friendly and helpful staff.

Cons:

It was pretty noisy in the morning - lots of banging doors, and noisy pipes. However, the worst thing was the breakfast - overcooked eggs, weird little fried cylindrical potato things (clearly mass produced and presumably delivered frozen), and tinned mushrooms - all identical little quarters, although at least the bacon and sausage were ok. All in all, the worst English breakfast I’ve eaten in a long time.

2026-07-10 • via Nuitee
C
Catherine • couple • gb
10
Great restaurant nearby! Excellent short break.
Pros:

I didn’t like the step in the bathroom and the smart- tv although I pressed the damaged power off button. We were disturbed twice when it turned on again. We had to turn off by the main switch on the wall.

Cons:

Didn’t like the set up of the shower 🚿 but it was great once you had the temperature right!! Very powerful shower 💁‍♀️

2026-07-10 • via Nuitee
M
Marlene • solo_traveller • ch
9
2026-07-09 • via Nuitee
D
Daniel • couple • gb
6
2026-07-08 • via Nuitee
M
melvyn • solo_traveller • gb
10
2026-07-07 • via Nuitee
J
James • couple • gb
10
Perfect hotel for our short stay to celebrate anniversary!
Pros:

Perfectly located at top of main shopping street in Barnstaple.
Mix of Georgian and modern architecture in building. We stayed in the Percival suite which was huge! Felt like we were staying in a French chateau!! Excellent food choice at dinner (amazing Sunday roasts!) and breakfast, plus coffee/tea and lovely cakes available!
Staff were really helpful and welcoming from reception to waiters and waitresses. Kimmy and Howard were particularly helpful in the bar area.

Cons:

Parking location not brilliant, but it was secure and limited by area hotel is in.

2026-07-06 • via Nuitee
G
George • solo_traveller • gb
9
2026-07-05 • via Nuitee
B
Beverley • couple • gb
8
Lovely family owned hotel
Pros:

Staff were super helpful.
Atmosphere.
Nice bar snacks.
Lovely bathroom.

Cons:

Room was very hot. Thought and effort had gone into an air con unit but we stayed in a very hot period.
Would stay again though as lovely room.


Bar underneath the room we stayed in. It was loud downstairs and i was concerned, but didnt really disturb us at all. As long as noise goes off at decent time and its managed, it wouldnt put me off as overall hotel so nice.

2026-07-05 • via Nuitee
S
sam • couple • gb
8
2026-07-05 • via Nuitee
A
Andrew • couple • gb
10
2026-07-04 • via Nuitee
L
Lisa • couple • gb
10
2026-07-04 • via Nuitee
E
Elisabeth • solo_traveller • no
1
Pros:

Sentralt hotell med gode senger.

Cons:

Vi var 5 stykker, og hadde 4 rom. Kun ett av rommene hadde aircondition, og det var 34 grader på rommene. Ingen søvn!

2026-07-03 • via Nuitee
A
Adrian • couple • gb
9
2026-07-02 • via Nuitee
S
Sylvia • couple • gb
9
Lovely room, great breakfast, lovely staff
Pros:

Great location, good facilities, very clean, helpful staff

2026-07-01 • via Nuitee
M
Michael • extended_group • gb
8
Okay for one night,
Pros:

Location and breakfast.

Cons:

Room was very warm compared to rest of hotel. Room was a bit noisy in the morning, kitchen extractor fan started up about 6am.

2026-07-01 • via Nuitee
G
Graham • couple • gb
8
Pros:

Classic old hotel, tastefully modernised made for a lovely comfortable stay.
Also had an excellent meal in The Bank & nightcap cocktails in Bar 62 which are part of the hotel, all adding to the experience.

2026-06-26 • via Nuitee
K
Kate • solo_traveller • gb
7
2026-06-26 • via Nuitee