It comes as no surprise to find the food and service are as good now as they always have been. The change in ownership doesn't seem to have changed much apart from the loss of some of the warm and friendly local staff.
The hotel has had a face lift which, I am assured, was much needed. I didn't see the bedrooms but my wife did and with few exceptions thought they appeared well decorated and comfortable. I'm told the previous owner, a dedicated wine buff, still lives nearby.
Michael Caines commutes daily between Chagford and his other enterprise in Exeter and has managed to train a team of excellent chefs so his star rating is no doubt secure.
Unless you are there with a large party of your own the atmosphere can be rather funereal. I also found that service erratic. They have 2 or three dining areas and they seem to insist on serving room by room so if you unlucky you can be forced to wait quite some time between courses.