Proprietors Andrew and Christina commissioned Plumtree Mee to design a new extension, as well as the fabulous new bathrooms and bedrooms, the contemporary loft accommodation, the Spa Suites and the public areas.

During the course of the refurbishment 10 new bedrooms were added to the hotel and because of this mix the bedrooms and bathrooms needed to be sympathetic to their surroundings. The overall design inspiration was the Arts and Crafts period – the period when the building was originally built.

The previous bathrooms had been relatively spacious and in country house style, but they were designed to be functional as opposed to inspirational and were beginning to look dated.

The River Teign flowing through the grounds is a strong presence throughout and we wanted to create an environment where the feel of flowing water was inherent inside and outside the hotel.

The owners were keen that the bathrooms reflected the design feel of the hotel and evoked luxury and pampering. Kohler products were specified in many of the bathrooms to offer a guest experience in keeping with expectations at this level in the market.


Amongst others, Circe cast iron baths were chosen, the sleekly designed Escale WC’s and Purist wall and deck mounted brassware.

The bathrooms needed to play a key part in a luxury guest experience and it was important to cater for separate bathing and showering experiences. Washbasin areas are a separate and special focal point, incorporating carefully selected basins, worktops, mirrors and lighting.

Each of the bathrooms is uniquely styled – some are designed as free-flowing spaces on raised areas within the room. However, at Gidleigh Park, open plan design adds a touch of luxury with glass screens cleverly used to create a vista – both of the bath as a focal point, and from the bath – into the room or outside. It enables the bathrooms to appear part of the bedroom, but also has the effect of making the space feel very large.

Gidleigh Park now has top class bathrooms which go hand-in-hand with the Michelin starred restaurant for which the hotel has always been famous. The individual nature gives every room its own romantic character and ambience, so that Gidleigh Park has the feel of staying in a very special private country home.