Lympstone Manor — Exmouth, UK

For Michael Caines, the opening of his first solo project has been a long time coming. The head chef at Gidleigh Park in Devon for 21 years, owning his own country house hotel was always on the cards, so after some soul searching, Caines finally decided to take the plunge with the launch of Lympstone Manor. ‘It was time to move on,’ he says. ‘I had a sense of wanting to do something for myself. Someone once said to me that the best time to plant a tree is 20 years ago – I didn’t want to look back in a few years time and regret not moving.’
Located in a Grade II-listed Georgian pile on the banks of the Exe Estuary, the 21-room hotel has been outfitted by London-based Meraki Design, with a brief, says Caines, to ‘style the hotel around Restoration Hardware, a company in America that inspires me.’
The resulting aesthetic layers a poetic and abstract sense of place by way of hand-painted watercolour wallpaper, featuring local birdlife, by Devon-based artist Rachel Toll; and nautical maps that highlight the area’s trade routes during the medieval times. These are, in turn, framed by floor-to-ceiling French windows that cast a refreshing natural light onto the otherwise modern furnishings and the warm beige and silver-grey colour scheme.
The bedrooms – some with direct garden access and all with views of the sweeping estate and the estuary beyond - are cosy cocoons that are named and styled after the birds of the estuary, such as the Kingfisher Suite which is revealed in tones of jewel blue. The riffs on local architectural motifs include crystal chandeliers and antique-framed mirrors, while stand alone bathtubs and gold accents add a sense of luxury and highlight the building’s original features.
Of course, it's the food that is the star of the show. Served within a choice of three separate dining rooms, Caines has taken the opportunity to experiment with some new concepts, such as the fish-only estuary tasting menu, inspired by the hotel’s location, while plenty of his greatest hits have been recreated for his fans using local ingredients. Must-tries are the tartlet of quail and quails eggs, served with a tasty onion confit and black truffle; or the boudin of John dory and langoustine, flecked with crispy pork belly and ginger purée. Lastly, for the wine connoisseur, take a peek into the sommelier’s ‘office’, which is lined with Wineemotion dispensers that preserve open bottles, allowing a larger range of wines to be had by the glass- perfect also for when the hotel's planned vineyard is up and running.
ADDRESS
Courtlands Ln
Exmouth
Wallpaper* Newsletter
Receive our daily digest of inspiration, escapism and design stories from around the world direct to your inbox.
Lauren Ho is the Travel Director of Wallpaper*, roaming the globe, writing extensively about luxury travel, architecture and design for both the magazine and the website. Lauren serves as the European Academy Chair for the World's 50 Best Hotels.
-
Watches & Wonders 2025: preview Richemont’s latest innovations, on show at the Geneva watch fair
Discover eight enticing timepieces from the luxury group, showcased this week at the Geneva fair
By Simon Mills Published
-
Masters of midcentury modern design and their creations spotlighted in new book
‘Mid-Century Modern Designers’ is a new book from Phaidon celebrating those who shaped the period and their notable creations, from furniture to objects
By Tianna Williams Published
-
Drafting nine international artists, Gucci’s ‘90 x 90’ project transforms its silk scarf into a creative canvas
Part of Gucci’s ‘The Art of Silk’ initiative, the project sees nine artists riff on the Italian fashion house’s most memorable motifs, from lush depictions of flora and fauna to its signature horsebit
By Jack Moss Published
-
For a taste of Greece, head to this playful new restaurant in London’s Chelsea
Pachamama Group’s latest venture, Bottarga, dishes up taverna flavours in an edgy bistro-style setting
By Sofia de la Cruz Published
-
A buzzy Korean pop-up becomes a permanent fixture in East London
Chef Joo Won has turned his Calong pop-up permanent in the arty enclave of Stoke Newington
By Ben McCormack Published
-
New London restaurant Alba is a sun-soaked affair
Its name meaning ‘sunrise’ in Italian, Alba is a new Amalfi-inspired restaurant set to shine in Knightsbridge
By Sofia de la Cruz Published
-
Now boarding Air Anya: Anya Hindmarch’s ode to aviation’s golden age
Anya Hindmarch’s new London concept store and travel accessories collection celebrate the glamour of 1970s air travel
By Sofia de la Cruz Published
-
La Môme London finds its home at The Berkeley hotel
All the razzle-dazzle of Cannes and Monte Carlo is wrapped up in this one fabulous dining room and terrace in London
By Ben McCormack Published
-
The new dawn of the London sandwich shop
The appeal of a quick meal between two slices of bread has long held sway in the UK. We look back on the rise of the sandwich shop and explore the new wave of London venues that are making it a more stylised experience
By Toyo Odetunde Published
-
Must-visit cinemas with award-worthy design
There’s more magic to the movies at these design-led cinemas, from Busan Cinema Centre’s ‘flying’ roof to The Gem Cinema Jaipur’s art deco allure
By Sofia de la Cruz Published
-
London's coolest design-led coffee shops for your Fashion Week fix
Coffee shops are the heart of London’s neighbourhoods, discover those fusing speciality beans and stylish interiors for the perfect brew
By Sofia de la Cruz Published