I often get asked, do you ever tire of the view?

Quite simply, No, never.

I love every changing scene, every day and no day is complete for me if I dont get down to the beach, preferably with Farley my Labrador

Now I must say there have been times recently that I wish Mother Nature would stop chucking so much wet stuff at us. So whilst I don’t tire, I do feel somewhat tired on occasions, particularly as we work through the festive period.

That’s another funny old thing about my industry that those not "n it would never "get" working while others rest. It must take a particular mindset I guess to actually take pleasure in this. After all while you could do it for while even if "it" wasn't for you. There would be no way that you would spend the biggest chunk of your life working these rather crazy hours unless your enjoyment was genuine. That’s another story for another day though.

For now I thought it might be nice to embrace the dramatic and appreciate the rugged beauty that winter and even better winter seascapes bring us.

Merry Christmas to everyone

Proper Custard & Marmite...What makes a proper Christmas?

Its all about that very personal service, we like to find what each guest liks so we can offer exactly what you like, not just what we think you might like. Its that personal.

Chritmas is very much back to basics for me.

I'm quite happy to cut our the pomp and concentrate on what I love to do.
We will be serving Hot Mulled Wine and the best of local Mince Pies around the Salcombe Christmas Tree on Thursday the 20th of December. We believe strongly in involving ourselves with the community and encouraging that sense of community spirit. To me that all part of The Christmas Spirit.

So we involve ourselves In Salcombe's Rotary Club and we help get the tree up in time for this festive simple fun. When we see the Fire Brigade pull up in their gleaming Truck and join in the sing song. It gives you a great warm feeling to know you are part of a very special community.

Jenny and the whole family help to put together a really amazing Grotto as our coffee shop is transformed for the little people to enjoy that proper "wow" factor as their jaws drop when they take a peak.

Roast Dinner with all the trimmings is of course compulsory. Pudding doesn’t matter to me whatever the choice might be, but its not Christmas without vanilla custard oozing with loveliness and giving that warm feeling that all is right in the world. Without this its not a proper Christmas for me.

We spend a lot of our time traveling and staying in hotel near and far and everyone has their own litmus test as to what makes a good hotel, here are a few more of mine:

Marmite - I must have Marmite for breakfast!

The milk is real in the bedrooms, can’t stand that plastic stuff.

Do they trust me with the coat hangers? I can’t be bothered struggling with those "Security" ones without proper old fashioned hooks

Do I feel cared for??? That’s all that really matters to me, everything else is just stuff, get this simple and free bit right and I will forgive the world!

If you havent realised by now I am rather individual!

This year Jenny and Becky are keeping the Keith’s on their toes as the hotel continues its on-going refurbishment and improvements

February 2013 see the launch of our New Restaurant themed as an elegant seaside dining venue, with more intimate settings and a fresher colour scheme in keeping with the coastal setting

Our carpentry crews have already started work with Walnut doors giving a more contemporary feel to all the bedrooms and corridors.

When you visit us next year you will be greeted with a fresh reception, entrance and acres of new carpeting brightening up all of the corridors and public areas.

We expect that by Easter time we will have our Super New Pool and Leisure Suite ready for operation. In the meantime our current warm indoor pool remains open of course.

New Leisure Suite

The hotel will be undergoing an overhaul of its current leisure facilities to be replaced with:

• New Larger Indoor Heated Pool

• Comfortable Lounging Area

• Swedish Sauna

• Mini Gym

• New Treatment Suite

• His and Hers Changing Rooms

• Poolside Snacks & Drinks

Guests will be able to enjoy the new and spacious weatherproof environment where all ages can enjoy a swim in our new pool, work off a cream tea in the gym and relax on a comfy chair whilst being served refreshments.

As Keith Senior will be managing the redevlopment personally, disruption will of course be kept to a minimum

See 2013 In From 1000 Feet Up Over Devon

This Christmas or New Year, take off for Soar Mill Cove in Devon and that's exactly what you can do - soar across the horizon at 1000 feet up simply by harnessing the power of the wind.

It's called Power Kiting and it's free - all part of a plan by Soar Mill Cove Hotel Owner Keith Makepeace to take New Year celebrations to another level. 'I want my guests to have a really exhilarating start to the New Year, says Keith ' one they'll never forget!'

For guests who are a bit more grounded. the hotel offers different diversions. Like treasure hunting using the hotel's own sophisticated metal detector technology, just right for scavenging on the sandy coves for some washed-up booty and ideal if bling's your thing.
                                  
The quest for bounty will all be accompanied by lashings of hot chocolate (laced with rum for the grown ups) plus wool rugs to snuggle under as guests take a break and watch the waves crash in on the rocks.

Just minutes from a private beach in South Devon, the Soar Mill Cove Hotel has a glorious setting with stunning views of the sea. This is a place for romantic long weekends with walks barefoot in the sand. It's also a place for real family holidays where parents can rediscover the joys of a exploring rock pools and building sand castles.

Christmas and New Year Breaks currently on Promotion just call for details

Surrey's Young Superstars

I am delighted to announce that Soar Mill Cove Hotel is sponsoring Surrey's Young Superstars

With so many regular guests from Surrey we were delighted when approached to back this great award and as a family friendly hotel we were keen to promotes the good works of today's youth 

The theme is “Inspire a generation”, by spotlighting the many achievements of young people (aged 5-19) in the area with nine award categories for fund raising, sporting achievement and volunteering.

The awards are also set to highlight, Surrey Air Ambulance. This is a charity, which provides vital medical support in the county, but receives no government funding; so the awards will also be seeking to raise the profile of this worthwhile charity and raise much-needed funds

Surrey Air Ambulance

 As supporters of our local Devon Air Ambulance we are only to aware of the vital role volunteer air ambulance services provide, often to guests from Surry holidaying in Devon.

All prizewinners will receive a trophy and a certificate, but we are the ultimate prizewinner, will enjoy a Holiday At Soar Mill Cove Hotel which will be for the winning child and his/her family

The awards will be launched at Haslemere Educational Museum on Nov 19 and then all head teachers in Surrey will be emailed individually with the information. Details of your prize will appear in press releases and in the information on Surrey Life magazine's website and local Radio

The awards ceremony will take place at the new GLive venue in Guildford on May 1

The Soar Mill Cove Team will be at the award ceremony to show our support to the worthy winners

You are only as good as your staff and aren’t they good!

Head Chef Ian MacDonald  wins 2 AA Rosettes

Of course it’s rather important to treat all the team as you wish to be treated, without this we would be unable to celebrate 21 years of successive win’s for award winning restaurant

There have been many changes in the British restaurant world over the past 20 years such as the introduction of ‘pop-up’ restaurants, celebrity chef restaurant chains and more international cuisine but one thing has remained constant: The AA Restaurant Guide.

The new 2013 AA Restaurant Guide is the 20th edition of the famous foodies’ bible. The introduction of the guide also saw the launch of the new AA Rosette scheme for culinary skills The number of restaurants in the guide has increased: the first 1992 guide had around 700 “of Britain’s best and most interesting up and coming places to eat”, while the 2013 edition has over 2,000 “professionally inspected restaurants, from village inns to smart city eateries”.

Only a handful of restaurants have appeared in all 20 AA Restaurant Guides, with Raymond Blanc of Le Manoir Aux Quat’ Saisons holding the highest accolade for the entire period . The team at Soar Mill Cove Hotel, celebrate winning 2 AA Rosettes for Culinary Excellence. This demonstrates 21 years of consistency at a high level of culinary prowess.

 The long lasting success of the AA Restaurant Guide is down to the fact that it does not just include the elite restaurants. All restaurants in the guide have from one to five Rosettes allowing a greater element of choice when selecting somewhere to eat.

While the past 20 years has seen many new innovations in restaurants such as the rise of the celebrity chef, wireless payment terminals and wine lists on iPads, there are some things that have not changed in 20 years at Soar Mill Cove. These constants include the same family ownership and the same team, with Head Chef Ian MacDonald (pictured) in charge of these award winning kitchens for over 13 years alongside owners Keith Makepeace & Jenny Makepeace, whose family have owned and managed Soar Mill Cove for almost 35 years.

Congratulations Team!

What makes a hotel brilliant?

This is an interesting question and we have started interacting on a number of fronts as we ask people the same question.

We are filming and asking this question on our facebook site inviting everyone and anyone who might be able to give us their take on that elusive quality that separates good from great.

My thoughts are as follows:

I don't really know what makes a hotel brilliant, but I'm sure I know what makes Soar Mill Cove special.

We use a technique which can seem tolook like rocket science by those that don’t quite get it

- We listen!

We listen to the whole team and to us that means everyone.

It all comes down to Tender Loving Care

Then we don’t get too scared of having an opinion, after all we are not The Holiday Inn, we will never be everything to everyone.

Having great facilities, caring staff who work as a team, an amazing location with views to take your breathe away and really good food are undoubtedly hugely important. But and its a big but it all comes down to how we bind it all together and never ever stop trying to make it even better.

We strive to give all of our guests the very best holiday possible we enjoy the theatre of it all and we deliver "WOW" factors in what we do

This bit we do with great gusto

The rest we do with quiet and humble TLC

Location is great and for Kirsty and Phil it’s the only title

but in my industry its SERVICE, SERVICE, SERVICE

Black Tie Ball

The Macmillan Black Tie Ball

Time to let your hair down

Join us for a night of decadence

While we support this fantastic charity and their local team

With entertainment from "An Evening with Michael Buble"

Followed by an Old School Disco

Keith & Jenny are delighted to invite you for a chance to put on your glad rags and enjoy an evening of good food, great company and stylish entertainment

Starring Michael Bublé Tribute Act

In aid of Macmillan Cancer Support

Saturday 24^th November 2012

To Include: Champagne Reception

3 Course Dinner, Entertainment and Light Breakfast

before carriages at midnight.

Reserve your tickets today at only £65 each

Genuine Bargains, Honest Guv!

How often does an offer sound better than it really is?

Now this is probably a soap box gripe of mine, oh no surely not, what me, have an opinion?

I genuinely believe it is only worth having an offer if it is clear and true.

Nothing worse than making claims that you cant substantiate.

You're better not offering anything in the first place as otherwise you are stetting yourself up for a fall.

This does mean that when we have a sale then its true bargain and not old Arthur Daley's stall!

So we welcome you to take full advantage of our newly extended season with our 3 for 2 promotion running throughout November, December and right up to Christmas time at Soar Mill Cove.

3 for 2

3 Nights bed and Breakfast for the price of 2.

Regardless of whether you choose to book a Garden View room or one with the most stunning sea views your 3rd night is completely free of charge.

Only available on a B&B basis but we are delighted to welcome you for dinner each and every night this winter, charged as taken. The offer has no other restrictions but is not combinable with any other offer or points redemption and must be booked directly with the hotel.

T. 01548 561566

Come on in the waters safe, cos' there be no Pirates in Devon!

Of Course we've always been a cut above the Cornish in Devon, we concentrated largely on smuggling while they were busy wrecking. This may well be a personal view as its based on the antics of my Cornish forefathers.

What we have seen recently though is an increase in the number of Parrots in Devon.

Now this brings me nicely round to an average day in the life of a hotelier.

We have received a lovely review form a recent guest "Billy" and his parents who had a super holiday.

Billy was very well looked after by the team and particularly enjoyed watching a DVD while Mum and Dad enjoyed a quiet dinner. One night however poor old Billy had issues with the film "Shrek",apparently it was stuck in a foreign language version.

The following night I recommended the film "Rio" which Billy seemed to prefer. We are still in dispute with Billy's lovely parents

I am not convinced that English is Billy's native tongue (or beak).

Yes, Billy is a Parrot and Billy is a regular guests who we love to welcome at Soar Mill Cove along with his fabulous family.

Apologies to Billy - the picture is not of him, this is a stand in and not nearly as handsome as Billy

Now, Billy is not the only tropical species spotted in Devon recently. On a recent boat trip some of our guests enjoyed the amazing sight of a Sunfish outside Salcombe

With a recent bloom in Plankton they have been seen basking in the sunshine. Enormous fish and a joy to see. I haven't seen any basking sharks yet, but no doubt they are out there enjoying the same tasty plankton

An average day

Early call for taxi or a guest to the train, got there after 3rd firm, so guest happy

Emptied 2 buckets of sand from the indoor pool

Enjoyed breakfast on our terrace, good granary toast and chefs marmalade with strong coffee

Turned the temperature down as kiddies are getting too hot

Handed out Rock Pool nets to families for adventures

Chased up Solar PV installation

Emptied 2 more buckets of sand from pool, TA little'uns!

Chatted to Terry the decorator about his barbershop quartet singing at the hotel

Learnt I have woodworm at home, great news Terry!

Terry's treating woodworm, he's a good guy and he's getting his sons band booked for us at Christmas. I love music and I love Christmas.

Had quick run to Bolberry with Farley, god it's hot, but the kids look so happy building dams on the beach





When will I learn to hydrate properly

Dived in sea and enjoyed 5 min swim with Farley

Had a delicious Crab Salad on the balcony, thanks to best of Moby Nicks

Went online and bought our eldest daughters 21st present - sorry it's still a surprise

Sent schedule for a fabulous wedding in September

Wrote a quote for a lovely couple at Christmas

Agreed advertising for the Autumn for walkers and national campaign in Metro and Evening Standard

Chauffeured a lady to the beach in the Land Rover

Phoned fellow hotelier to arrange his family summer holiday

Welcomed guests

Forgot to check pool for more sand

Took Farley our Labrador into vet for quick removal of dew claw, must have caught it on run

Took delivery of printing ink at vets, small towns work quite differently

Jenny called to tell me time for tea, at home this evening

Agreed some social media marketing with 17y old nephew, seems right age to be in tune and he's a great lad

Watched the sun set, what a place to live

Back to Inn to chat with guests over best walks and best beaches for kids. I suggested Beesands as lovely beach with pebbles - No sand! (great pub though)

Time for a break before I pick up Maria, our 16y old from Crabshell where she's working. It gives me an excuse to take out our classic Merc for a spin

Agreed with youngest lad to have a day off tomorrow and take the boat up on tide to The Crabshell. Yippee!

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Location:Soar Mill Cove

Christmas Time already?!?

The Christmas & New Year programme is available at great value Preview Prices.
So give us a call if you fancy joining us for what is always a really great celebration of good company, great food and all that is special about Soar Mill Cove at this festive time.

Sometimes we tend to rush through life a tad too quickly getting the big dates booked ahead of time allows us to concentrate on the important stuff of simply enjoying life to the full. So why not let us do the washing up this year and join The Makepeace Family and Crew at Soar Mill Cove for a very warm and welcoming Christmas and a rather lovely New Year's Eve Party.

Our In House Players enjoying our Panto

Family Suite Upgrade

Jenny has been on a mission recently, rolling out her papering table and engaging the services of local carpenters and tradesmen to refresh this beautiful sea view family suite - Suite 5

Retaining the luxury of comfort and space while making it a brighter room with a more contemporary sense of style.

For guests new to The Suite Life at Soar Mill Cove, our family suites consist of One extra large bedroom with Super King  Bed and a generous seating area with French doors opening onto their own patio and then another smaller bedroom usually set with twin beds, but with the possibility of a 3rd bed (in this case the 3rd bed is a bunk) all with the children's own TV/DVD so peace and  privacy is ensured.

All this for just £60 extra!

New Brochure with Whats On out NOW

Thanks to all the hard work of Becky and Matt we now have a super new brochure with a What's on for the rest of the year. So whether its paddle boarding the estuary to see the shoreline wildlife or  to Tutored Wine Tasting and Christmas Celebrations there is something to tempt guests of all ages and all tastes.

Call or email us for a copy info@soarmillcove.co.uk - t.01548561566

Long gone are the days of a glossy sales leaflet, this gives a small slice of what you can do and when, while introducing some of the team with a taster and even a recipe from Head Chef Ian as well as the useful stuff like prices.

Our new brochure introduces our 2012 Christmas and New Year Program with early issue special prices booking now.

Pictures of The Team

The A Team!

As the sun's put his hat on we have started getting together some new pictures of the team

Society photographer Eliot Siegel has recently featured our new Assistant Manager Claudiu, Head Chef Ian MacDonald and myself with my faithful Labrador Farley on our beach

More Images will shortly be available of the food, rooms etc on our Facebook site

Click Here to view The Ocean Views

Society photographer Eliot Siegel has taken some lovely images of these stunning ocean view villas

The Ocean Views
Ocean View 1 Left and Ocean View 2 Right

Lounge in Ocean View 2

Ocean View 2 Master Suite

Ocean Views lounge

Soar Legs Athletics Team was probably a name asking for trouble.

I did it! - The London Marathon

My Quads though hurt from the word go - seemed to be muscle pain memory from previous runs, it was as if they were saying, hang on I recognise this, not I think we should go home! Anyway I didn't let this stop me and I enjoyed every minute of it. I came in 4.20 which I was quite happy with, not my PB but given the 37500 people including the following ones I passed which included Hula Hoop girl, 3 legged men, pantomime horse, Womble and at least 2 nudes (both guys alas) I was quite delighted.

Now back at work and back in glorious sunny Soar Mill Cove.

A mention must be made however for the very sad loss of such a young person - Claire Squires 30y who died within the last mile or so of the finish.

We send her family our sincere good wishes and respect

Thanks to my darling family, Jenny, Becky Makepeace, Maria, Matthew, not forgetting Becky's great boyfriend Tom.

Thanks also to Shirley Marsh for my pre race massage and Soar Mill Cove's personal trainer Joey Rossi for my pre race training and the generous loan of him by his lovely girlfriend

I’m not entirely convinced that tomorrows post run massage from Shirley in The Ocean Spa is going to be completely painless however!

I apologise in advance to the guests in the nearby rooms for the screaming.

Images of The Ocean Views

Enjoy the latest images of our Luxury Self Catering Villas

Living & Dining

Master Suite

Kitchen

Twin or King 2nd Room

Interesting first week!

What makes our building projects unusual is that they were finished on time!

Credit goes directly to Dad - Keith snr, without his driving force this just would not have happened.

Of course behind every great man... etc etc.. So thanks Mum for putting up with us all!

Of course he led a team that were as committed to the project as the rest of us

Particular note goes to Martin Barlow and Co, Southern Trowels, Phil Laws Plumbing, Pritchards Electrical Supplies, Paul Barlow Electricians

This ethos was driven by our real belief in Devon been Best

We used local tradesmen, local stone masons, we quarried the stone oursleves on site from the ground that these therefore grow from, the duvets are made in Devon from Devon lambswool, the furniture comes from just across the border in Wiltshire and is supplied by Kingsbridge's own Peter Betteridge - furnishers of distinction http://www.peterbetteridge.co.uk/

What was particularly interesting for me and Jenny to learn however was just how our first guests would use The Ocean Views.

First off they were stunned by how beautiful they are, credit for the interior design goes entirely to Jenny - well done my darling you have done a phenomenal job.

Now we know that yes, they are self catering, but where there USP really became quite obvious was the flexibility they allowed guests to settle their children, make use of the telephone baby listening and enjoy a glass or two of Champagne from the comfort of our sun lounge while still been able to see the villas from their chair. This is of course great for business as it generates trade for the restaurant and is helping to create a very sustainable tourism which is at the very core of our vision to allow for future improvements to 4 star hotel and its facilities.

We are now developing the in-suite dining menu, so that we can take all the hard work out of self catering. No more will there be a need to rush back from the beach to cook tea, before everyone gets fractious, now we can deliver a delicious meal set up in your fridge, so you simply have to finish in the oven and lay out to enjoy in your dining room or even al fresco on your terrace.

Fruit de Mer

A simple Lasagne and Garlic Bread

Chocolate Fondant and Langage Vanilla Ice Cream

Of course where our guys excel is in offering caring service without too much pomp and Soar Mill Cove Hotel is delighted to welcome guests from The Ocean Views and our stunning 5 bedroom, 5 star private residence West Soar to enjoy delicious meals served in our restaurant, lounge and coffee shop, so whether its a delicious English Breakfast, a Clotted Cream Tea or a celebratory dinner, Soar   Mill Cove offers an unrivalled choice.

www.theoceanviews.co.uk

www.westsoar.co.uk

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Garmin Connect - Soar Running Map Overbecks Loop via East Soar

Garmin Connect - Soar Running Map Overbecks Loop via East Soar

Runners and Walkers might like the link to my favourite trails
Soar Mill is fantastic for circular routes for all abilities. This one could best be described as moderate to challenging, depending on your base, which if taken slowly brings it back to simply enjoyable!

Enjoyed a lovely run before breakfast yesterday, took my time and took photos of all the signposts en route as someone said my directions were rubbish!

I think the trouble is that the very helpful National Trust have added to the 30 signposts along the 5.5 mile length of walk. You see all you have to do is keep the sea on your right shoulder going towards Salcombe and the sea on your left shoulder coming back, so its a tad over engineered for my taste.

By the way my running partner is of course my faithful Labrador Farley, who actually prefers a walk when we have time to stop for a coffee and a delicious carrot cake at East Soar Farmyard
East Soar, great for a cuppa or to use the loo's on a walk

For those of you that feel that a human partner would be a greater motivator then I wholeheartedly recommend Joey Rossi our personal trainer. Joey is delighted to partner you for both running and guided walks and offers that extra confidence for guests overcoming injuries or post operation.
Joey's website
The hotel can of course organise this for you. but I think he is excellent value at £35 an hour, a pittance of the price one would find in Swanky London hotels and with our stunning coastline, what other motivation could one possibly want

                                     

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14 - Starehole Cove

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25 - East Soar Car Park

26 - Driveway into Soar Farm Units, follow lane down towards  Soar

27 - Sign through gateway at top of our lane

The photos are to be followed 1 to 27 for the round trip