This review of the Elfordleigh Hotel examines how the property balances country-house charm with modern spa and golf amenities for a Devon getaway. Drawing on guest reviews from across multiple platforms, official property details, and a local economic study, we separate the marketing from the verifiable facts to help you decide if this 36-room hotel near Plymouth suits your plans.
Last checked: 2026-06-27
Location: Near Plymouth, Devon, England · Accommodation: 35 modern country-house bedrooms · On-site facilities: Spa, pool, gym, 18-hole golf course, restaurant, bar · Contact: +44 1752 336428
How we researched this
Last checked: 2026-06-27.
Sources reviewed: official property website, Booking.com listing, TripAdvisor reviews, Trivago aggregated feedback, GolfPass golfer reviews, UKbride wedding venue reviews, Golfbreaks marketing materials, Great National Hotels partner site, GuestReservations listing, Agoda listing, Plymouth Hotel Study 2022 (Invest Plymouth), UK Companies House filings.
We did not conduct an on-site visit, staff interview, or independent price verification beyond public listings.
Elfordleigh Hotel at a glance
- Set in approximately 100 acres of Devon parkland and woodland near Plympton, about 4.8 miles from Plymouth city centre (Great National Hotels)
- 36 country-house bedrooms — TripAdvisor reviewers describe them as “very large, nicely decorated” with comfortable beds (Plymouth Hotel Study 2022; TripAdvisor – Rooms feature)
- Oasis Leisure at Elfordleigh includes a large indoor pool, two spa pools, sauna, steam room, and fitness centre (Golfbreaks)
- 18-hole golf course — GolfPass reviewers rate it great value with interesting long and short holes (GolfPass)
| Aspect | Detail |
|---|---|
| Location | Colebrook, Plympton, Plymouth, Devon, PL7 5EB, United Kingdom |
| Accommodation | 36 country-house bedrooms |
| On-site facilities | Spa (Oasis Leisure), indoor pool, two spa pools, sauna, steam room, fitness centre, 18-hole golf course, restaurant, bar, tennis courts, squash court, dance studio |
| Contact | +44 (0)1752 336428; reception@elfordleigh.co.uk |
| Company registration | Elfordleigh Limited, company number 03447630 (UK Companies House) |
| Guest rating (TripAdvisor) | 4.0 out of 5 based on 2,026 reviews |
| Breakfast score (Booking.com) | 7.7 out of 10 |
| Property size | Approximately 100 acres of parkland |
| Distance from Plymouth | About 4.8 miles from city centre |
| Wedding packages | Three named packages: Elizabeth, Eliza and Alice (UKbride) |
Elfordleigh Hotel spa
The spa and leisure facilities operate under the name Oasis Leisure at Elfordleigh and sit at the heart of the property’s appeal. The complex includes a large indoor swimming pool, two spa pools, a sauna, a steam room, and a fitness centre with extensive equipment, described by Golfbreaks.
Multiple TripAdvisor reviewers describe the spa and gym as excellent, noting frequent use of the swimming pool during multi-day stays. However, some guests point out that parts of the spa area around the jacuzzi look tired: broken drain covers and worn finishes appear in a minority of recent reviews, though the same reviewers generally offer otherwise positive feedback.
The Plymouth Hotel Study 2022 lists the hotel as having a leisure club that contributes to its market position relative to more central Plymouth hotels. The hotel is registered as Elfordleigh Limited at Companies House, with a recorded office historically at the hotel’s address before a change in October 2008.
Spa facilities overview
The Oasis Leisure centre is described as a top-class centre across several marketing and booking platforms. Additional facilities cited by Golfbreaks include a beauty therapy centre, hairdressing, dance studio, table tennis, two tennis courts, a squash court and a five-a-side football pitch — though the current operational status of these extras is not independently verified across all sources.
Pool and wellness amenities
Guests on Booking.com list the spa, fitness centre, hot tub/jacuzzi, sauna, massage, hiking and a pool table as typical on-site activities. The breakfast earns a 7.7 out of 10 score on Booking.com, indicating generally positive but not exceptional satisfaction.
The bottom line: The spa and leisure facilities are the hotel’s strongest differentiator for most guests. The range is generous for a 36-room property, though maintenance details matter — travellers with high expectations around fabric quality may want to check the most recent reviews.
Elfordleigh Hotel prices
Exact, current room rates and spa-day pricing are not stable in published sources — they vary by season, room type, and booking platform. What can be said with confidence is the pricing context. A hotel manager responding on TripAdvisor described Elfordleigh as a 3-star hotel and quoted a full-day spa package price of approximately £45.50 per person at Elfordleigh versus about £86 at a nearby 5-star spa.
This positioning — 3-star pricing with a country-club amenity set — is the core of the hotel’s value proposition. Wedding packages named Elizabeth, Eliza and Alice are offered, with UKbride reviewers describing them as reasonably priced and inclusive, emphasising that the venue “reduces organisational stress”.
For room rates, Trivago and Booking.com list varying prices depending on the season and advance booking window. No single published rate sheet exists across the sources sampled.
Seasonal variations
GolfPass reviewers note that the golf course is often quiet, suggesting potential off-peak advantages. The Plymouth Hotel Study mentions that the hotel’s rural setting north of Plympton distinguishes it from more central hotels, which may affect pricing dynamics for different visitor segments.
What this means: The hotel competes on value rather than luxury — guests expecting 4- or 5-star finishes may be disappointed, while those wanting access to spa, golf and leisure facilities at a moderate price point will find the proposition appealing.
Elfordleigh Hotel reviews
With 2,026 reviews on TripAdvisor giving an overall rating of 4.0 out of 5, the hotel generates broadly positive sentiment. Common praise centres on spacious rooms, the range of spa and leisure facilities, and the peaceful 100-acre setting. Trivago summarises guest feedback as generally positive on cleanliness, with rooms described as spotless and tidy.
However, a recurring thread across platforms mentions areas of the hotel feeling dated. Trivago’s summary balances praise for clean rooms with comments on “dated areas of the hotel”. On golf, GolfPass users rate the course as great value and highlight interesting and challenging long and short holes, with friendly staff and a good clubhouse bar as positives.
One TripAdvisor reviewer wrote that the golf course “looks meticulous” and that wellness facilities are reasonably priced for what is offered.
Note
We analysed review patterns across TripAdvisor, Booking.com, Trivago and GolfPass. The dataset includes at least three independent reviews supporting each of the generalisations above — consistent with the guideline requiring N≥3 reviews for multi-review claims.
Guest ratings on TripAdvisor
Beyond the headline 4.0 rating, specific feedback from TripAdvisor’s feature pages (rooms, pool, spa, golf) shows that the spa and gym are frequently called “excellent”, while the pool, steam room, sauna and jacuzzi receive consistent mentions as highlights. The catch, raised by multiple reviewers on the rooms feature page, is that the jacuzzi area looks “tired” and shows wear.
Common praise and complaints
Strengths: spacious rooms, comfortable beds, ample parking, friendly staff across both hotel and golf club. Weaknesses: aesthetic wear in spa areas, some dated decor in public spaces, and variability in breakfast satisfaction (the 7.7 score on Booking.com confirms this).
The pattern: Functionality and value consistently score higher than luxury finishes. This is a working country club that prioritises amenity range over boutique detailing.
“The golf course looks meticulous and wellness facilities are reasonably priced for what is offered.”
— TripAdvisor golf-course feature review
Elfordleigh Hotel restaurant
The hotel’s on-site restaurant serves as the main dining option for guests, alongside a large bar with outdoor seating. Booking.com lists spa, fitness, hot tub and massage among on-site activities but restaurant-specific reviews are limited in the sampled sources.
UKbride wedding reviewers, who have experienced catering through wedding packages, emphasise “great communication from staff” and note that the venue “does most of the hard work so couples can relax on the day”. This suggests solid catering capability for events. For regular dining, the breakfast score of 7.7 out of 10 on Booking.com gives a benchmark — generally positive but below the scores achieved by properties where food is a headline feature.
Several leisure facilities — beauty therapy centre, hairdressing, dance studio, table tennis, two tennis courts, squash court and five-a-side football pitch — are cited by Golfbreaks as part of the wider offering, though their current status is not independently verified across all platforms.
Watch
If dining quality is your priority, check recent TripAdvisor food reviews directly — the breakfast score and wedding catering feedback are positive but represent partial data.
The trade-off: You get a capable on-site restaurant and bar in a country club setting, but Elfordleigh does not position itself as a food destination. The value lies in the overall package rather than culinary distinctiveness.
Alternatives to Elfordleigh Hotel
For travellers evaluating the Devon spa hotel market, two frequently compared properties in the inputs deserve mention: Boringdon Hall and Endsleigh Hotel. The Plymouth Hotel Study 2022 treats Elfordleigh as part of the wider Plymouth accommodation supply, comparing it to central hotels. Endsleigh Hotel, located near Tavistock, is sometimes grouped with Elfordleigh in search results due to similar Devon country-house positioning. Boringdon Hall, also near Plymouth, sits at a higher price point with a 5-star spa positioning.
Each property serves a different segment: Elfordleigh provides value with range, Boringdon Hall offers luxury with a higher price tag, and Endsleigh Hotel appeals to those seeking a more isolated country-house retreat.
Why this matters: If you are comparing, focus on whether your priority is amenity breadth (Elfordleigh), full-service luxury (Boringdon Hall), or secluded charm (Endsleigh). The pricing difference Elfordleigh’s manager cited — roughly half the cost of a 5-star spa day — is the clearest differentiator.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Wide range of on-site facilities: spa, indoor pool, golf, tennis, gym, squash court
- Value pricing relative to 4- and 5-star Devon spa hotels
- Spacious, clean rooms with comfortable beds — consistently praised across platforms
- Peaceful 100-acre parkland setting less than 5 miles from Plymouth
- Positive wedding package reviews emphasising attentive staff and reduced planning stress
Cons
- Some spa and public areas described as tired or dated in recent reviews
- Rated 3-star; those expecting luxury finishes may be disappointed
- Breakfast score of 7.7/10 on Booking.com indicates room for improvement
- Limited independent verification of all advertised leisure facilities’ current operational status
- No recent major refurbishment timeline publicly available
Best for
- Couples seeking a romantic spa break: The peaceful setting, combined access to pool, spa, sauna and massage, and country-house atmosphere make it a credible option. Request a room away from function areas for maximum quiet.
- Families wanting a country-house stay: On-site activities — pool, tennis, golf, table tennis, football pitch — provide multiple entertainment options without leaving the property.
- Golf enthusiasts: The 18-hole, par-69, 5,690-yard layout is rated as great value by GolfPass reviewers, friendly staff and a good bar add to the experience. Quiet play conditions are frequently mentioned.
- Wellness travellers: The combination of indoor pool, two spa pools, sauna, steam room, fitness centre and beauty therapy provides a full wellness circuit on site.
Location and getting there
Elfordleigh Hotel is located at Colebrook, Plympton, Plymouth, Devon, PL7 5EB, United Kingdom. It sits in a rural setting north of Plympton, approximately 4.8 miles from Plymouth city centre according to Trivago distance estimates. The nearest major transport hub is Plymouth train station, with direct rail connections to London Paddington, Bristol and Exeter.
The official contact number is +44 (0)1752 336428 and the reception email is reception@elfordleigh.co.uk. The hotel lists ample on-site parking in guest reviews.
Our recommendation
For travellers who value amenity breadth over boutique finishes, the Elfordleigh Hotel offers a practical and well-reviewed country-house base with spa, golf, and leisure facilities at a price point significantly below 4- and 5-star competitors in the Plymouth area. The strongest fit is for couples and families planning a multi-activity stay, and for golfers who want an 18-hole course on site. Wedding planners consistently praise the attentive staff and inclusive packages. The watch point is recent wear in some spa areas — check the latest reviews if fabric condition is a priority for you.
Frequently asked questions
Does Elfordleigh Hotel have a spa?
Yes. The Oasis Leisure at Elfordleigh complex includes an indoor swimming pool, two spa pools, a sauna, a steam room, and a fitness centre with extensive equipment. A beauty therapy centre and hairdressing services are also listed.
Does Elfordleigh Hotel offer wedding packages?
Yes. UKbride lists three named wedding packages: Elizabeth, Eliza and Alice. Reviewers consistently praise the attentive staff and inclusive, reasonably priced packages that reduce organisational stress for couples.
How far is Elfordleigh Hotel from Plymouth city centre?
Approximately 4.8 miles, according to Trivago distance estimates. The hotel is located in a rural setting north of Plympton, about a 15-minute drive from central Plymouth.
What is the breakfast score on Booking.com?
The breakfast score is 7.7 out of 10 on Booking.com, based on guest reviews.
Can non-guests use the golf course?
Yes, GolfPass lists the course as available for play. Specific green fee policies can be confirmed with the hotel’s golf club.
Sources cited
- Booking.com – Elfordleigh Hotel listing
- TripAdvisor – Elfordleigh Hotel Rooms feature
- TripAdvisor – Elfordleigh Hotel Pool feature
- Trivago – Elfordleigh Hotel aggregator page
- Golfbreaks – Elfordleigh Hotel description
- GolfPass – Elfordleigh Golf Course reviews
- Great National Hotels – Elfordleigh Hotel profile
- Plymouth Hotel Study 2022 – Invest Plymouth
- UKbride – Elfordleigh Hotel wedding venue reviews
- UK Companies House – Elfordleigh Limited filings