GIDLEIGH Park in Chagford is top of a new no-holds-barred guidebook to country house hotels. The new guide, Mr Particular ? Telling the truth about English Country House Hotels, is written by James O? Donnell, a pseudonym for the real writer, who is described as a novelist and regular guest at top luxury hotels. He visited, and paid for, overnight stays at 20 top country hotels, including Hambleton Hall, Lords of the Manor, the Vineyard and Whatley Manor. Gidleigh Park scored 88% and was judged on location, hotel, room, service, dinner, breakfast and the total cost of the stay, which was £378.50. The secret reviewer told last month?s Caterer and Hotelkeeper: ?Over the years I have stayed in lots of hotels and have not always been satisfied they live up to their promises. ?The book came from a desire to investigate and tell the truth about what you actually get for your money. If they are deserving of praise, then they certainly get it; but if things are wrong, then the book points it out.? The book is available from the website http://www.mrparticular.com">www.mrparticular.com or from bookshops in the New Year.
