4* Review: The Grand Hotel Torquay

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You know those places, those kinds of places that you walk past every day and never go into? You know it’s there and you’ve heard wonderful things, but you just never seem to have the time to stop and take a look. Well, the Grand Hotel Torquay used to be one of those places for me. Thankfully, I finally took the time to change that last week! So here’s all you need to know….

About The Grand Hotel

Run by the Richardson Hotel Group this beautiful Victorian style hotel has been a landmark in Torquay for over 130 years. This 4* hotel overlooks the Torquay seafront. From the outside, I’ll admit, it does look a tad aged. However, inside it is all vintage elegance and  modern amenities. Here’s a fun fact for you! In 1926 the Grand was one of the first hotels in the UK to install central heating. Oh and the Rolling Stones once stayed there.

How Do I Get There?

Easily done! If you’re travelling by train you are in luck, the Grand Hotel Torquay is right beside the Torquay train station. There is also a bus stop just across from the hotel where several local buses stop. This is handy if you want to explore the neighbouring towns of Paignton, Brixham or Newton Abbot (Though, personally, I don’t recommend Newton Abbot unless you want a good cider bar). The hotel is easily accessed via car and free parking is provided in both the underground car park and reserved spaces in the train station.

What Are The Rooms Like?

The Grand Hotel Torquay has 132 rooms. Prices vary throughout the year depending on the type of room and whether or not you’d like a sea view. When I visited the Grand I availed of a special December deal that I found on their website. A double room cost £39 per night including breakfast (I know, ridiculously reasonable!).  So if you’re thinking of booking keep an eye on the “Breaks & Offers” section of their website.

I was a bit worried about the room as I had read some reviews online that weren’t exactly positive. However, when I arrived I was pleasantly surprised. The room was all about vintage glamour and larger than I had been expecting. Above the desk there was even a Hollywood style vanity mirror with lights around it. I may or may not have spent a lot of time playing around with that.

Another thing that I loved were that there were LOTS of windows, that you can actually OPEN. I tend to get much too warm in hotels and I very much dislike when you can only crack the window a tiny bit which ends up not cooling down the room at all. Anyway, yes, the rooms were lovely and clean and there were plenty of plug sockets (the thing that matters to a blogger). I even managed to get the free wifi in the room despite being in quite a far corner of the hotel.

How About Food?

THE IMPORTANT PART! Room service is available 24hrs. They have a lounge/ brasserie serving a variety of bar food. The Grand Hotel Torquay is also home to restaurant 1881 which has been awarded the AA Rosette. Breakfast is a mix of continental and traditional full English. It’s definitely not the BEST breakfast I’ve had in a hotel but it was pretty damn good. Tea, coffee, hot chocolate, biscuits and bottled water are available in each room and these are restocked daily.

If you want to go out there are several restaurants & coffee shops along the recently modernised Torquay seafront just 5-10 minutes walk away. Las Iguanas and On The Rocks are my firm favourites.

What Is There To Do?

There’s plenty to do in Torquay. In fact, I wrote a list of 27 reasons why I love Torquay , including lots of things to do and see. So check that out for all the best suggestions. Otherwise, there are plenty of leisure facilities in the hotel such as an indoor heated pool and spa.

What Did I Really Think?

I LOVED it.

The staff were helpful and pleasant and my entire stay went incredibly smoothly from start to finish.

I’ve stayed in a lot of hotels this year all across Europe and the Grand Hotel Torquay really was one of the most wonderful. The temperature in the room was perfect which is something I have a SERIOUS problem with in most hotels. I’m a bit like Goldilocks, I don’t want it too hot or too cold, it has to be just right. And that’s what I got in the Grand.

All in all, I’m very glad I finally made the time to check out the Grand Hotel Torquay and if you’re ever in the area I recommend you check it out, even just for a bit of High Tea in the Lounge.