Sandy beach with clear blue water, small boats anchored offshore, and green hills with houses in the background under a bright blue sky.
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The Hotel 'On the Beach' in Salcombe

Discover your sea view sanctuary

Boundless bliss on a beachfront canvas. Your own slice of South Devon heaven. It’s South Sands, laid back and unfiltered. Relax and softly sink into the slower way of life. For a welcome, welcome back and a see you again soon, we are your year round seaside haven. 

Seaview out of window

Stay

Sand in your hair, blissed out with sea breeze, walk barefoot from a day basking in the sunshine and turquoise waters of South Sands’ beautiful beach, to the peaceful comfort of your own coastal haven. At South Sands, you couldn’t be closer to the sands of Salcombe’s stunning estuary. Throw open your windows and breathe in the view.

Avocado on toast

Food

Dive into coastal servings and watch the gentle flow of the tide as you softly surrender to the slower way of life. With the estuary lapping on the shore and the beach underfoot, there’s no better location to savour a menu brimming with seafood.

Food Served All Day

South Sands Cocktails

Drink

Relish your coffee on the terrace as the anticipation of the day ahead rises with the glowing morning sun. Drift into a laid back afternoon with a perfectly chilled rosé overlooking the Salcombe Estuary, or bed down for the evening with a warming nightcap by the open fire. 

Dog with Seaview out of window

Dogs

Being a dog-friendly hotel is what makes South Sands so popular and sees guests and their furry friends return time and time again. Alongside our comfortable dog-friendly rooms, we offer welcome packs on arrival to ensure your four-legged friend knows they're on holiday as much as their beloved humans.

on-water

On The Water

Salcombe is a hub of watersport activities year-round, especially during the Summer months when the estuary really comes alive. During the warmer season, Salcombe and South Sands beach benefits from moorings in the water, which fill up quickly with an array of boats brimming with Summer fun.

The South Sands Ferry is busy all Summer. With the unique way of boarding the ferry, it is a fun experience for the whole family - including the dog! Simply board the sea tractor on the beach next to the hotel and it'll drive you into the water. Then you swap from the tractor to the boat.

In the Summer, the ferry runs every half hour between South Sands and Salcombe town centre making it the perfect transportation to get to South Sands Hotel.

walking

Longer Days for Walking

There is nothing better than waking to a stunning sunrise knowing a scenic coastal walk awaits. Whether you seize the day with an early clifftop walk or indulge in a long lunch before an afternoon amble, there's nothing quite like a walk along the outstanding South West Coast Path. Even better, the path runs right past South Sands Hotel. 

Come rain or shine, you'll experience dramatic views and scenic landscapes with our local coastal walks. Marvel in the glass-like stillness of the morning water or watch waves crash against the cliffs. With an array of animals on the ground and in the sky, it's a paradise for wildlife watchers and photographers. 

Experience the beauty of Salcombe walks and the South West Coast Path year-round at South Sands Hotel.

Google Reviews

  "Lovely hotel in a fantastic location"

Lovely hotel in a fantastic location overlooking South sands beach, Salcombe. The hotel is well appointed, with friendly staff, and they made us feel very welcome with our 5 month old puppy. The restaurant serves excellent breakfast, and we also enjoyed dinner on both nights of our stay. Parking is free to guests, and just across the road. Salcombe is a very scenic parts of South Devon, situated on an estuary, with plenty of boating and water activities, along with lovely coastal walks. This is our third stay, and we hope to return again.

Adrian Farmer  |  11 / 2025
  "Lovely location, with extremely helpful and supportive staff"

We stayed one night recently to mark my wife's 80th birthday. It's a very comfortable hotel in a lovely location, with extremely helpful and supportive staff. But the real highlight for me was the wonderful food. Among many gems, I'd recommend the whole baked plaice and (at breakfast) the scrambled egg - both were exquisitely cooked. Many thanks to all the staff there.

Jonathan Ashe  |  09 / 2025
  "Wonderful first time trip to Salcombe"

We had a wonderful first time trip to Salcombe & our stay at South Sands made it that much more comfortable. A beautiful location and very attentive, friendly staff. Our room was very well kitted out and we were very well looked after. We had breakfast included and the view from the terrace in the morning was great to wake up to. I will definitely make an opportunity to come back soon!

Andrew Cairns  |  08 / 2025
  "I cannot express how much I’ve fallen in love with this hotel"

I cannot express how much I’ve fallen in love with this hotel. Firstly an incredibly warm welcome from James, Kieron & Millie on our arrival, to the constant attention to detail and can do attitude thar has defined our stay.
The rooms are gorgeous, the food sensational and the staff are just bloody all round brilliant.
I will cry when I leave and can’t wait to come back.
Xxx

Laura Colquhoun  |  08 / 2025
  "Lovely clean hotel right on the beach"

Lovely clean hotel right on the beach perfect for taking the ferry into salcolm. Rooms are well furnished but a little small.breakfast was wonderful large selection and very good quality.

Lorraine Breen  |  08 / 2025
  "Great view, Romantic, Quiet"

Service: 5/5         Location: 5/5
 
Walkability: Very remote, near Salcombe. As the roads are very narrow, the best way to get to Salcombe (during the day from 10:00 AM to 5:30 PM) is by ferry. Great hiking trails (cliffs) within walking distance. Food and drinks: Great fish dishes. Hotel highlights: Great view, Romantic, Quiet

Christiane Götzen  |  07 / 2025
  "5 star incredible stay"

Omg what a fantastic hotel from Johnathan the chef to the view 5 star incredible stay incredible location, incredible food . Love it

Peter Fox  |  07 / 2025
  "Everything exceeded our expectations"

South Sands Hotel Salcombe. Everything exceeded our expectations. Family of four - two teens and two dogs. Absolutely fabulous short break. Beech front facing room, in a great location. Lovely atmosphere. Friendly staff with a non intrusive welcoming feel. Food was amazing. Would highly recommend the monk fish curry. Very clean and thoughtfully decorated with a modern light theme, without being too sterile.From reception to departure it was excellent. Thank you. 
Rooms: Tasteful decor with comfortable beds and pillows. Nearby activities: Paddle boarding. Walks. Ferry trips. Seaside shops, pubs and restaurants in Salcombe town. Safety: There isn't a lift. However, ground floor rooms make South Sands accessible to all. Hotel highlights: Great view, Romantic, Quiet

Paw Persons  |  07 / 2025
  "Even Santa Paws visited the dogs on Christmas day"

We went to stay the first time for Christmas which was excellent.The staff were incredibly welcoming and couldn’t do enough for us. As they claim they are very dog friendly.There are wicker baskets at the door with clean dog towels and one to put your dirty towels in. Even Santa Paws visited the dogs on Christmas day.The food was of a good standard and the chef Jonathan was delightful although I think the wine list should be expanded to include countries other than French as its very limited at the moment. Sufficient to say we have booked again for next year

Kathandfred Williams  |  01 / 2025

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