The Best Hotels With a Pool in Devon, UK

With a pool that overlooks Combesgate Beach (and almost Croyde Bay), and with Lundy Island straight ahead, you’d be forgiven for thinking you were swimming in the shimmering sea – albeit an unseasonably warm one. You needn’t worry about booking the dud room at the Watersmeet, as almost everyone option offers a sea vista. But for the best view in the house, head to the waterfront Pavilion restaurant for a lobster bisque with brandy cream.

This 50-room boutique hotel with a pool in Devon has mastered the art of water therapy: whether soaking in the views of the adjacent harbour and estuary, dipping in the hot tub or diving into one of the spa’s two pools, you’re sure to wash away your concerns. Book in for natural and holistic therapies at HarSPA, like its signature Rasul mud body wrap, before furthering relaxation at the hydrotherapy pool and sauna.

Despite the rugged terrain surrounding Gara Rock – think heather-strewn heaths and dramatic cliffs – this artfully-decorated spa hotel in Devon oozes indulgence. Framed with rustic wood panelling which lends a warming Nordic vibe, the mosaic-tiled indoor pool is where to plunge post-Sauna, while the upper-deck outdoor pool runs alongside the ocean offering all the benefits of wild swimming with the comfort of being able to order a tipple while you paddle.

A popular spot for locals wanting to escape the crowds on the beach below, Saunton Sands is shorthand for beachy luxury (yes, they are compatible). Thanks to the Instagram-favourite infinity pool overlooking the ocean, the spa is in constant demand. Make the most of guest privileges and enjoy the view at sunrise before spa days start at 10am.

Bovey Castle’s art deco pool perfectly complements the sumptuous style of this country pile, which stands with 275 acres (111ha) of Devon’s Dartmoor National Park. Looking out over acres of wild moorland, the spa blends the rustic with the relaxing – resulting in an indulgent pamper day, which feels as though you’ve made the most of the area’s natural beauty without having left the grounds. Treat yourself to the Elan Spa Escape package – including a glass of Prosecco, a two-course lunch in Smith’s Brasserie and a 55-minute signature treatment.

Hotel Du Vin’s relaxing REN spa, in the heart of Exeter, is hidden from view behind a walled garden. The pool flows between inside and outside; a few laps (and a Prosecco or two), and you’ll forget you’re in a city that homes two shopping centres, a bustling university and several cinemas and theatres, not to mention the ancient Medieval passages that snake below it all.

The pool at the Osborne is such a hit that the hotel offers swim-only memberships, though only for the indoor pool. The outdoor pool is exclusively for hotel guests – who can choose from 33 individually designed rooms – looking out towards Meadfoot Beach, while its bean-shaped silhouette echoes the Regency crescent where the hotel sits.

Forget about screaming kids splashing about the pool, Kaywana Hall is adults-only, plus, with an intimate amount of rooms (four, to be precise), there will be no need to lay your towel out the night before either. The wall-to-wall sliding door in the Beech Room leads out to a private terrace overlooking the water and comes with the perk of private access for an early morning swim.

You’ll find that the Swiss ski vibe that infuses Boringdon Hall is emulated in the spacious spa area, which overlooks lush green gardens and leads to an outdoor feature pool. Clean Scandi minimalism creates an air of tranquillity, and it filters through the entire estate despite the rich decor and hearty rustic charm that characterises the rest of Boringdon – think wagon wheel chandeliers, ornate heavy drapes and Chesterfield sofas.