The Babbacombe Hotel

Hotels
8.4 (660 reviews)
The Sea Front, Babbacombe Downs Road, Torquay , Torquay , gb

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Paid
Children allowed

Facilities

WiFi available
Free WiFi
Parking
Non-smoking rooms
24-hour front desk
Restaurant
Heating
Terrace
Family rooms
Garden
See all facilities

Review Highlights

Pros:
Outstanding cliff-edge / sea views and central location (near funicular)
Very friendly, attentive and accommodating staff
Comfortable mattresses, balconies/terraces and good entertainment
Accessible for guests with mobility issues
Good value for many guests
Cons:
Rooms feel tired / need renovation (rips, worn paint, broken fittings)
No in-room fridge and limited in-room supplies (tea/sugar/water)
Breakfast quality inconsistent; late start causes queues
Rooms can be very warm in high summer (no cooling)
Limited parking and lift does not reach top floor; noise over kitchen

Categories

Cleanliness
7.6
Mixed comments: some guests noted the hotel was clean and 'tidy', but several reviews mentioned the hotel looking tired, reduced cleanliness compared with previous stays, and buffet items appearing aged—indicating cleanliness/service presentation has declined somewhat.
Service
9.9
Strongly positive: numerous mentions of 'great', 'lovely', 'attentive' and 'amazing' staff and helpful hospitality; staff repeatedly praised for being welcoming and accommodating (including mobility assistance).
Location
9.9
Consistently excellent: repeatedly described as 'unbelievable', cliff-edge sea views, opposite the funicular, ideal for theatre and hospital visits; location is a standout feature for many guests.
Room Quality
6.8
Several room issues reported: no fridge in rooms, sagging beds, ripped headboard, broken shower fittings, overheating rooms in high temperatures, and some noise problems—rooms feeling dated and in need of refresh.
Amenities
7.2
Mixed to below-par: positives include balcony/terrace and entertainment, and accessibility for mobility-impaired guests; negatives include no in-room fridges, limited tea/coffee supplies, lift not reaching top floor, parking constraints.
Value for Money
8.7
Generally good value: several guests called it good value and recommended it for location and service, though a few felt food quality and room condition reduced perceived value.
Food and Beverage
8.2
Mixed but slightly below target: some guests enjoyed breakfast and good coffee, yet multiple reviews mention late breakfast start causing queues, poor-quality or burnt items, and basic/thaw-and-serve desserts—serviceable but inconsistent.
Overall Experience
8.9
Overall positive stay for many: repeatedly described as lovely, excellent staff and memorable location leading to repeat visits and recommendations, though some guests experienced notable issues (rooms, food, parking).
* This sentiment is summarized by AI based on user reviews.
Updated at: 2026-08-12 23:26

Property Description

Stunning Views and Convenient Location
Situated on Babbacombe Downs, The Babbacombe Hotel offers breathtaking views of Lyme Bay and easy access to the South West Coastal Path.

Comfortable Rooms and Modern Amenities
Each room is equipped with tea/coffee facilities, a flat-screen TV, and en-suite bathrooms with complimentary toiletries. Some rooms even boast private balconies with sea views.

Convenient Facilities and Nearby Attractions
Guests can enjoy the on-site restaurant and bar, 24-hour front desk, and step-free access to rooms. Explore nearby attractions like Babbacombe Theatres and the Cliff Railway just minutes away.

Book now to experience a perfect blend of comfort, convenience, and stunning views at The Babbacombe Hotel.

Important information:

Please note that parking spaces are limited and are on a first-come, first-served basis.

The credit/debit card used to make the reservation must be presented on arrival at check-in. If this card is not available, the property will require a credit/debit card for pre-authorization as well as photo ID in the name of the guest staying at the property.
A deposit may be required at the property.

Check-in and check-out hours:
Check-out: 11:00 AM
Airport code: EXT

Location

Guest Reviews

8.4
Based on 660 reviews
Cleanliness: 7.6
Service: 9.9
Location: 9.9
Room Quality: 6.8
Amenities: 7.2
Value for Money: 8.7
Food and Beverage: 8.2
Overall Experience: 8.9
D
Dominic • solo_traveller • gb
10
Pros:

Lovely welcome. Great pride in working for the hotel, that came through clearly. Really nice breakfast and coffee, also catered to decaffeinated. Beautiful location right on the cliffs edge of Babbacombe. Opposite the finicular train down to the coast. Will stay again. We have family and friends in the town and surrounding areas and even they chose to stay in his hotel sometimes ! Really beautiful experience. Great staff, great hospitality. Unbelievable location. We found parking just behind the hotel on a quiet street tat parking is very limited.

2026-08-06 • via Nuitee
M
Mark • solo_traveller • gb
1
AWFUL, LIKE A NURSING HOME!!!!!
Pros:

Great window view!

Cons:

I was put on the 3rd floor, lift only goes up two floors! No fridge or water or biscuits in room.Bed sank to the left.Breakfast starts far too late at 7.45am, this in turn means 90% of the hotel residents are queuing up from 7.30am, it’s awful, a cattle run! Whole place is like a nursing home, breakfast was like gods waiting room!

2026-08-06 • via Nuitee
N
Neil • solo_traveller • gb
8
2026-08-05 • via Nuitee
P
Phillip • couple • gb
10
Attentive staff. Well done and thank you all.
Pros:

The only downside was the fact the we were on the 3rd floor and the lift only went to the 2nd floor! But we usually walked up the stairs anyway!

Cons:

Some of the paintwork was starting to look a bit tired.

2026-08-03 • via Nuitee
• couple • gb
10
Great hotel for a night at the theatre
Pros:

The location was perfect for our visit to the theatre there. Had a lovely large Seaview room, with an enormous terrace. Staff we very friendly and welcoming. Great choice at breakfast.

2026-07-23 • via Nuitee
C
christine • solo_traveller • gb
9
Pros:

The location was fantastic

Cons:

No fridge in room

2026-07-21 • via Nuitee
M
Michael • solo_traveller • gb
3
Pros:

Good location.

Cons:

If you get a room above the kitchen the noise is horrendous.

I was one of the first to breakfast yet the food looked like it had been there ages. Poor quality and burnt.

2026-07-20 • via Nuitee
J
James • solo_traveller • gb
4
Distinctly average
Pros:

Great views and friendly staff

Cons:

Room was very warm and food was very basic- deserts looked like they were thaw and serve catering products and hot food was like toby carvery low level just done enough could be way better

2026-07-19 • via Nuitee
C
CATHERINE • couple • gb
5
Pleasant enough , made so by staff and location .
Pros:

The staff were lovely and it was on a good location. Nice view from bedroom.

Cons:

Sadly a problem with the hot water did mar our stay slightly .

2026-07-18 • via Nuitee
L
Lydia • couple • de
5
Pros:

Die Lage ist ein Traum, aber das Hotel ist sehr in die Jahre gekommen. Könnte eine Renovierung gebrauchen.

2026-07-16 • via Nuitee
C
Clark • solo_traveller • gb
10
Pros:

Excellent

2026-07-13 • via Nuitee
R
Rachel • solo_traveller • gb
10
Amazing
Pros:

Staff were amazing,location absolutely stunning

Cons:

Nothing to dislike

2026-07-12 • via Nuitee
U
Uwe • solo_traveller • de
7
Gute Unterkunft mit freundlichen Mitarbeitern. Bei hochsommerlichen Temperaturen sollte man nicht kommen.
Pros:

Sehr freundliche Mitarbeiter, gutes Frühstück, und eine sehr schöne Lage oberhalb des Meeres.

Cons:

Wir hatten sehr hohe Temperaturen in der Zeit, als wir im Urlaub waren und das Zimmer war unfassbar warm. Die ganze Nacht über gefühlt 30°. Die Nacht war der Horror.

2026-07-12 • via Nuitee
M
Mandy • solo_traveller • gb
7
Pros:

The mattress was very comfortable. Staff really friendly. Balcony good. Entertainment good. Good base to explore from.

Cons:

Rips in the headboard of bed. Shower head pole broken. Not enough coat hangers for 2 people. Had to buy own tea bags. As you only offered plant based which I have allergies to. Not enough sugar for 2 people in room. We've stayed here on 2 other occasions and everything was much cleaner as the hotel is now looking tired.

2026-07-08 • via Nuitee
K
Kevin • couple • gb
10
2026-06-24 • via Nuitee
R
Robert • couple • gb
9
Convenient for visiting Torbay Hospital and hotel very suitable for our night stay. Highly recommend location and ideal
Pros:

Fantastic location and caters well for people with mobility issues and good value for the money

2026-06-23 • via Nuitee
D
David • couple • gb
8
Lovely weekend break
Pros:

Great location

2026-06-22 • via Nuitee
A
Andrew • solo_traveller • gb
9
2026-06-17 • via Nuitee
S
Steven • couple • gb
10
Parking was a real problem other than that the hotel was great the staff were fabulous nothing was too much trouble
Pros:

Clean tidy great Location

Cons:

Parking

2026-06-15 • via Nuitee
C
clive • solo_traveller • gb
10
2026-06-14 • via Nuitee