As our name suggests, Home Farm Hotel was once a working farm. No doubt, it’s existence was based on the land and on natural products. Now, half a century after becoming a hotel, it is time to return to an existence that is, once again, kind to our environment.

We are proud to announce that we have teamed up with eco-products distributor Wikaniko to help achieve our goals and also to promote far greater awareness among local people and hotel guests of the issues we face and, much more importantly, what we can do to change things.

Many of the products being used at Home Farm to reduce carbon footprint and harmful waste products have been supplied by Wikaniko. Owners, Steve & Marilyn Lundy have been so impressed with these products that they have now become independent distributors for Wikaniko themselves!

Future guests at Home Farm Hotel will be able to find a wealth of information about how they, too, can take positive actions to help the environment. They will also find a wide range of eco-friendly Wikaniko products available to buy in the hotel.

For a sneak look at these outstanding products, why not have a look at the Wikaniko Shop?

We are very pleased to announce that Home Farm Hotel is now implementing a number of plans to be less of a burden to our planet. We hope that you will support us in our efforts!

Why not visit our Environmental Page to see just what we are doing and also learn about a fascinating new company who are helping us!

Sometimes, hoteliers & restaruateurs get so wound up in their own importance that they think they are simply the best and that nobody else comes close. Customers know different!

With that in mind, let me share a personal recommendation.

Last night, Marilyn & I had a rare night away from Home Farm. We went to @Angela’s in Exeter with friends, having heard many good comments. We were not disappointed!

Angela herself leads front-of-house, while husband Richard leads the kitchen efforts. The one thing you notice immediately is the “just-so” way that the restaurant is laid out. Nothing overly fussy, everything pristine and in its right place, crisp & clean, cutlery & glassware gleaming. This doesn’t happen by accident and is a great first sign in any quality restaurant.

Service was prompt, polite, friendly and efficient throughout. Food was perfectly prepared and concentrated on making quality ingredients speak for themselves. Nothing unduly fancy, just great flavour combinations and put together by someone who obviously cares passionately about food. Portions were perfect! Just enough to leave you feeling full, but not bloated after 3 balanced courses. A good keenly priced wine list too.

Full marks, Angela & Richard. I think we may just steal some ideas!!!

For more information, @Angela’s can be found here

Steve

How flexible can you be on dates? If you can, then you may be surprised how much you could save – even in summer!

Most tourist-style hotels have absolutely no problem filling up Fridays & Saturdays. The hotelier’s biggest downer is repeatedly saying “Sorry, we are fully booked” when he could have sold the Saturday night 5 times over! But have you ever thought about the rest of the week? If you are able to look beyond Friday and Saturday, that same hotelier may be very pleased to hear from you!

Monday to Thursday can sometimes yield surprising discounts – especially if you are shopping at the last minute. But try adding in a Sunday night! Sundays are frequently half empty even in August! Why? Because the vast majority of people plan to travel home on a Sunday. Even if you are lucky enough to book Fri/Sat successfully, why not consider adding Sunday as the 3rd night if you are able to be flexible? Or, maybe take Sat/Sun instead?

Want to see if we have a deal for this Sunday and the week ahead? Try our online bookings for the latest and best rates https://www.thatchedhotel.co.uk/bookings/index.php

Go on! Save yourself some cash and help make a hotelier happy today! Remember, Sundays rock!

One of the most frequently asked questions for any hotel is whether it is possible to check in or out at unusual times. Sometimes, guests are also surprised at the answers they receive! So here is a bit of helpful information as to what hotels can do and what they can’t in all 4 possible situations!

Checking in Early

Within reason, an early check-in MAY be possible, but please do realise that the guest who has paid for the previous night is entitled to stay until the scheduled check-out time! For most hotels, this will be either 11am or 12 noon. Asking for a check-in before this time may just be impossible to deliver! Even then, do spare a thought for the housekeeper! For a new arrival, the room has to be properly cleaned, bed linen changed, towels changed, toiletries and tea & coffee replenished. These things take time to do properly. It is for this reason that check-in times are usually stated as 2 or 3pm.

Any good hotel will TRY to accommodate an early check-in, but do understand why it sometimes just cannot be done or guaranteed! Of course, you could always book the previous night!!!

Late Check-Out

All of the opposite reasons apply! If there is an incoming guest, they have a right to check into the room that they are paying for and it has to be ready for their use. If there is no-one staying the following night, a small extension may be reasonable (an hour or two) without charge. The key word here is “small”!  Mid-late afternoon is not small and will often incur an additional charge to cover a housekeeper being kept on duty and waiting! Any later and don’t be surprised if an additional night is required.

Late Check-In

This will very much depend on the size and style of hotel. Large hotels will usually have night staff who can cover this. Small, privately-run hotels don’t have this luxury! As a guideline, it is always worth calling to check if you are expecting to arrive after 9pm and certainly if you are expecting it to be after midnight! Most hoteliers will appreciate this courtesy and will make sure that your needs are accommodated. These same jovial hoteliers are usually much more grouchy when they have to open up the hotel in their pyjamas at 2am!!!

Early Check-Out

This can be much more problematic! If you are planning to check out before the scheduled opening time, this may require kitchen staff and front of house staff arriving early (for which they will expect to be paid!) and it may not always be possible. It may also be following a very late night for them! As always, efforts are usually made to accommodate polite requests that are made in good time. It will usually be possible to provide a breakfast tray for your room or a cooked breakfast may often be available a little earlier than usual. It is always possible to settle your bill the previous evening. But, please, don’t expect sausage, bacon & eggs at 5:30am!!