Although most of the country seems to have had really cold and winterly weather during April we have had over a week of clear blue fresh and sunny days - ideal for sightseeing and exploring.  Yes - it has been cooler than last year - but then everywhere has this year and the over-wintering geraniums are still wrapped in their winter fleece as clear skies have given way to slightly frosty nights. From yesterday,16th April , we have had easterly winds that are creating mountainous seas that are rolling in and crashing over the sea walls.  Quite spectacular and invigorating !  Our guests enjoy wave-watching down at Goodrington .

Yet only a couple of days before it was lovely Spring day.  We made a visit to Buckland Abbey the home of Sir Francis Drake - which was very interesting for adults and children alike.  We took a stroll on the Estate, encountering these carved Monks on The Monks Walk.  The Abbey was a monastery before being partly demolished and turned into a home after the dissolution of the monasteries. It is a NT property and is well worth a visit - perhaps incorporating it with some pony-watching or walking on Dartmoor or a trip to Plymouth Hoe.

Like many people, I watched the recent tv programme about the dubious cleaning practices in some London hotels with - well not horror nor even surprise, as being in the business I have heard stories of not -so- good housekeeping practices.

I thought I would outline our cleaning policy - just in case anyone is wondering.  One of the most frequent comments we get from guests is how clean everything is and what is the secret.  It's not really a secret - just good practice and no cutting corners.  Unlike one of the London hotels featured in the program we do not allow only one hour to clean 16 rooms!  We have checklists and double checks for all rooms and everything has to be done properly.

We ALWAYS take glasses and mugs and cups down to the kitchen to be washed and sterilised. We NEVER wash then in the handbasins and dry them on guest towels!

We ALWAYS change the full bed linen - even for one night stays.  That is why we charge a supplement for one night stays  -if we accept them - so all guests can be assurred that no-one else has slept in the bed linen before them.

We allow enough time to make sure that everything is cleaned properly.

Bookings are up on last year for this time of the year.  We are already turning people away for some dates  in August and July. So it looks like being another good season.

 Having been here two years now, we are welcoming back a good number of guests for their second, third or even fourth visit!  We thank them all for their appreciation of our hotel and service and welcome new guests to enjoy the Amber House experience!