Royal Hotel and Carvery

8.6
Excellent
(881 reviews)

31 Babbacombe Downs Rd, Babbacombe, Torquay TQ1 3LQ, United Kingdom

+44 1803 312600

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Hotel Description

The Royal Hotel and Carvery, located at 31 Babbacombe Downs Rd, Babbacombe, Torquay TQ1 3LQ, United Kingdom, offers guests a delightful stay with breathtaking sea views over Babbacombe Downs. This Victorian-style hotel combines traditional charm with modern amenities, making it an ideal destination for travelers seeking comfort and convenience. The hotel is perfectly situated within a short 7-minute walk to Babbacombe Model Village, a popular attraction featuring miniature houses, vehicles, and a fiery dragon. Additionally, guests can reach the Torquay Golf Club in just 13 minutes by foot, making it a convenient base for golfing enthusiasts. The hotel’s location provides easy access to nearby attractions such as the Kents Cavern Prehistoric Caves, Torre Abbey, and Torquay Museum, all within a 5- to 9-minute drive. Guests can also explore Paignton Zoo Environmental Park, located 21 minutes away by car, offering a chance to see a variety of wildlife, including lions, tigers, and giraffes.
The Royal Hotel and Carvery offers a range of comfortable rooms with en suite bathrooms, free Wi-Fi, TVs, and tea and coffee-making facilities. Each room is designed to provide a relaxing atmosphere, with simple yet elegant décor, ensuring a peaceful stay. Although there is no air conditioning or heating, the hotel ensures a comfortable environment for all guests. With its smoke-free policy, the hotel is ideal for those seeking a clean and fresh space. Guests can enjoy a traditional breakfast as well as hearty pub meals, including a daily carvery. The hotel also offers a cozy bar with armchairs and sofas, creating a welcoming space to relax after a day of sightseeing. Guests frequently praise the hotel's breakfast and the nightly entertainment, including quiz nights and the lively atmosphere of the bar. The hotel's restaurant is one of the few in the area, making it a popular dining choice for visitors.
For transportation, the Royal Hotel and Carvery is conveniently located near public transportation options, including Exeter Airport, which is a 38-minute taxi ride away. The hotel is also easily accessible by walking, with the Town Hall just 9 minutes away and the Torquay and Torre stations a short taxi ride or 40-minute walk away. Public transport connections to nearby areas ensure guests can easily explore the wider Torquay region and beyond. Parking is available on-site for guests with vehicles, ensuring a stress-free arrival and departure.
The hotel takes guest safety seriously, implementing key health and safety measures to ensure a safe and comfortable environment. While there is no fitness center or spa on-site, the hotel’s prime location and range of activities nearby provide plenty of opportunities for guests to stay active and explore the surrounding area.
Top activities to enjoy include visiting the Babbacombe Model Village, taking a guided tour through the Kents Cavern Prehistoric Caves, and exploring the local art and antique collections at Torre Abbey. For nature lovers, the Paignton Zoo Environmental Park is a must-see, and history enthusiasts will appreciate a visit to the Torquay Museum. The hotel’s central location makes it an excellent base for exploring the cultural and natural beauty of Torquay.
Nearby dining options include the Babbacombe Inn, Hamiltons, The Waddling Duck @ Hamiltons, Cary Arms Restaurant, and Clementine Bistro. Each restaurant offers a variety of dining experiences, from traditional English fare to more contemporary dishes, ensuring a diverse range of culinary options for every taste.
With its welcoming atmosphere, stunning views, and ideal location near top attractions, the Royal Hotel and Carvery offers guests a comfortable and enjoyable stay. Whether you're visiting for the first time or returning for another relaxing getaway, the hotel promises a memorable experience with great food, friendly service, and a perfect location to explore all that Torquay has to offer.

The Most Outstanding Trait

1. Breathtaking sea views from Babbacombe Downs

2. Walking distance to Babbacombe Model Village and Torquay Golf Club

3. Traditional Victorian-style architecture with modern amenities

4. Cozy bar with pool table and darts board for entertainment

5. Free Wi-Fi available in all rooms and public areas

6. Hearty breakfast and traditional pub meals, including a daily carvery

7. No pets allowed, making it ideal for allergy-sensitive guests

8. Located near top attractions like Kents Cavern and Paignton Zoo

9. Convenient transportation links with easy access to Exeter Airport

10. Smoke-free property ensuring a clean and fresh environment


9.4 Exceptional

Location rating

Top sights

Babbacombe Model Village
8 min
Kents Cavern Prehistoric Caves
5 min
Paignton Zoo Environmental Park
21 min
Torre Abbey
9 min
Torquay Museum
5 min

Nearest locations

Babbacombe Inn
1 min
Hamiltons
1 min
The Waddling Duck @ Hamiltons
1 min
Sven's Grill & More
1 min
Labrows Bistro Bar
1 min
Cary Arms Restaurant
2 min
Clementine
2 min
Bistrot Pierre - Torquay
9 min
See more Interesting locations

Good to know

Check-in14:00
Location rating9.4
Nearest airportExeter Airport
Travel time to airport38 min

Location

31 Babbacombe Downs Rd, Babbacombe, Torquay TQ1 3LQ, United Kingdom

Airports:

Exeter Airport

Taxi: 38 min

Transit: 2 hr 11 min

Transit:

Town Hall

Walking: 9 min

Torquay

Taxi: 10 min

Walking: 49 min

Torre

Taxi: 8 min

Walking: 41 min

Hampton Avenue

Walking: 8 min

Shops

Walking: 3 min


Nearby locations

9.4

Exceptional Location

Set on Babbacombe Downs with sea views, this Victorian-style hotel and carvery is a 7-minute walk from Babbacombe Model Village and a 13-minute walk from Torquay Golf Club.

Top Attractions

Top Restaurants


Amenities and Facilities

Pets

No pets

Parking & transportation

Parking

Policies & payments

Smoke-free property

Food & drink

Restaurant

Bar

Wellness

No fitness center

No spa

Children

Kid-friendly

Internet

Wi-Fi

Pools

No pools

No hot tub

Rooms

No air conditioning


Reviews

100% reviews from partners and customers booking on Dinogo

9.4

10 reviews

Wonderful
8
Excellent
1
Good
1
Below Average
0
Not Good
0
Cover Image for B Sams

B Sams

3/5
The restaurant isn’t always open and it’s sometimes difficult to find the staff. The few staff on duty are always polite and helpful. The rooms are immaculate but they are not accessible unless you use the stairs. Friendly atmosphere, and Sunday Carvery is very popular.

Room 5

Service 3

Location5

Cover Image for Carole Jones

Carole Jones

5/5
After staying at this hotel for the first time, we were impressed with the location, food and size of room.(room 8)We had a sea view and a very comfortable large bed. This hotel does not serve breakfast but supplies, muffins, flapjacks and fruit juice which was fine for us.We ate in the restaurant both evenings and the menu had a lot of choice and was served quickly by friendly staff.The model village and cliff railway are both worth visiting. Oddicombe beach has a cafe right on the beach. We had a wonderful long weekend and will definately stay again.

Cover Image for Mark Houlton

Mark Houlton

5/5
Very easy online booking request process to book a table with reservation confirmation via email. Very friendly welcome and shown straight to a table with a lovely view. Food was served very quickly, and was very fresh and hot. Great selection of gins in most flavours you could think of. Stayed on for the pub quiz (every Wednesday at 7:30pm in the back room). Very much a locals quiz but very welcoming of visitors and good fun.

Cover Image for Louise Selby

Louise Selby

5/5
Went for the carvery midweek. The food was lovely, there was a selection of 3 meats and plenty of veg. Visited again the week after as we enjoyed it so much. Staff werr very friendly and polite.

Service 5

Location5

Cover Image for Charlie Thomas

Charlie Thomas

5/5
The Royal Hotel and Carvery in Babbacombe is quite simply a fantastic place to both stay at and eat in. Situated on the beautiful coastline of the Babbacombe downs, its decor and feel to the place certainly match the outstanding views from the outside tables. I regularly visit the area and always go to the Royal for their extra special Sunday carvery without fail. The staff are exemplary and offer the warmest of welcomes which is always a good start. The carvery is just out of this world and at a very competitive price too! With a variety of choices, from the freshly cooked meats on offer to the perfect selection of veg and all the trimmings, you will not be disappointed. Portion sizes are very generous with the meat carved by a friendly and professional chef. Please look at the picture to see just how good this carvery is! Drinks are reasonably priced and the waiting staff have no issue in serving to your table. If you have room for dessert I would highly recommend the mango cheesecake!The Royal, whilst being situated in a seaside town, is your perfect home from home all year round whilst also feeling like you are on holiday abroad. I highly recommend booking a room at The Royal for a clean, spacious and comfy stay.

Cover Image for Dawn Head

Dawn Head

5/5
Absolutely love it here we are regular visitors especially for Sunday carvery, the staff are fantastic, friendly very helpful and attentive, the food is delicious and plentiful see you soon for another awesome carvery

Service 5

Location5

Cover Image for M B

M B

5/5
We visit here for our lunch every Sunday. And have never had a reason to complain. There is always a choice of four roast joints and the best selection of vegetables anywhere. The staff are very friendly and without exception will go out of their way to help when it’s needed. The Royal has the most amazing views along the coast line which can be appreciated from the outside seating area and from the restaurant

Cover Image for Iain Mcdonald

Iain Mcdonald

4/5
First time visitor with 6 other friends, very Accommodating helpful, food was very good & reasonably priced. Nice interior & well furnished.👍

Service 4

Cover Image for david hayes

david hayes

5/5
I'm not a great pub person, but not what's to like when served with a decent coffee and as us locals know they serve one of the best Sunday carvery in babbacombe. The seating area outside, although not great offers visitors the chance to watch the world go by, people watching on the downs and great coastal views

Room 3

Service 5

Location5

Cover Image for Stephen Shenton

Stephen Shenton

5/5
We went to the Royal for a Sunday carvery, pre booked the table so did not have to wait long on arrival. Service was prompt and polite and the food was of a good standard along with the portion size. Will be visiting again and thank you to the staff that looked after us, they were very smiley, happy and attentive.I have never stayed in the rooms so cannot review them.