South Sands Boutique Hotel
Sometimes you just need to take a step away from the hustle and bustle of the city lifestyle...lucky for Londoners, when you actually get outside of the A406, the beautifully serene English countryside awaits! We headed to the southern coast to the small, beachside town of Salcombe for a restful weekend away at South Sands Boutique Hotel. 
Checking in late at night, we weren't entirely sure what was beyond our windows for the next morning...but the sweet sound of the waves crashing ashore was the only alarm clock we needed! Well, we may have set an alarm, didn't want to sleep through breakfast!
And breakfast at South Sands is the perfect start to the day...set in the breathtaking restaurant with ceiling to floor French windows framing the seaside view, you can dine from their continental selection or order from the menu! I had the Eggs Benedict both mornings--the Hollandaise sauce is to die for! 
From the hotel, it's a 30 minute walk to the harbor town of Salcombe where bright, candy colored houses stand, cozy little pubs and sandwich shops beacon, and beachside chic shopping awaits. If you're not up for the walk to town, or the weather isn't cooperating, the complimentary shuttle service can drop you off! 
After spending the afternoon exploring the town amidst the cool, crisp breeze off the ocean, we opted for a rest back at South Sands by the cozy fireplace with a hot cuppa tea. 
And the perfect end to this relaxing day? A scrumptious dinner looking out over the ocean, of course! The hotel recently brought on chef Allister Bishop and his menu is full of creative and succulent plates that are just as aesthetically pleasing to look as they are to eat. With some of the freshest ingredients just outside the restaurant, the team takes the locally sourced produce and seafood to create a menu, including daily specials, that highlights the coastal town's traditional and delight fare.If these foodie photos don't make your belly grumble, I don't know what will...
[gallery type="rectangular" link="file" size="large" ids="6607,6609,6608"][gallery type="rectangular" size="large" link="file" ids="6610,6611,6612"] The South Sands Hotel was festive to the max this weekend with most of the decor being handmade by an employee! It had me seriously envious of the creativity! But it was the perfect Christmas decor inspiration. The hotel is also embracing the seasonal festivities with some exciting events : a Christmas Murder Mystery Dinner on December 7th ; Christmas Party Dinners on December 8th, 14th and 15th ; and special brunches on Boxing Day and New Years Day.
SS is accessible super easily from London with trains services from Paddington to Totnes (then a quick 20 min pickup to the hotel!) or as we did, a just over 3 hour drive right past Stonehenge! The perfect stopover for those visiting England and wanting to see it all!
