Cary Arms & Spa

8.8
Excellent
(932 reviews)

Babbacombe Beach, Torquay TQ1 3LX, United Kingdom

+44 1803 327110

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Hotel Description

Cary Arms & Spa, located at Babbacombe Beach, Torquay TQ1 3LX, United Kingdom, is a stunning upscale Victorian inn with a breathtaking location right on the Babbacombe Bay beachfront. A mere 13-minute walk from Babbacombe town centre, the hotel offers guests a unique blend of natural beauty and luxurious comfort. The hotel's design reflects its seaside surroundings, blending traditional Victorian elements with modern, beachy chic décor. It provides guests with an unforgettable view of the bay, making it a perfect retreat for those seeking both relaxation and adventure. The area boasts many nearby attractions that enhance its appeal, including the charming Oddicombe Beach just a 9-minute walk away, and several cultural landmarks within short driving distances.
The rooms at Cary Arms & Spa are designed with ultimate comfort in mind. Each of the 8 beachy-chic rooms features sea views, en suite bathrooms, free Wi-Fi, and flat-screen TVs, as well as tea and coffee-making facilities. High-end toiletries are provided to ensure a refreshing experience. Most rooms come with terraces or balconies, offering private spaces to enjoy the stunning views. The suites, which are more spacious, include additional bedrooms and living areas, perfect for families or groups. For larger groups or families, the hotel offers 1- to 5-bedroom cottages that provide an even more expansive and private experience.
The hotel prides itself on offering top-tier amenities, such as high-speed internet throughout the property, ensuring that guests can stay connected. Each room comes with a kitchenette, offering convenience for those who prefer self-catering. A full English breakfast is included with every stay, providing a hearty start to the day. Guests can also indulge in locally sourced cuisine at the hotel's gastro-pub, which exudes rustic charm with its period details, including a cozy fireplace and outdoor terraces. For those looking to unwind further, the spa offers a variety of treatments for a fee, adding an extra layer of indulgence to the stay.
The hotel's location offers excellent transportation links, making it easy for guests to explore the wider area. Torquay's town centre is just a short taxi ride away, approximately 12 minutes, and the hotel is well-served by local public transport, including buses and walking routes to nearby attractions. For guests flying in, Exeter Airport is approximately 40 minutes away by taxi, ensuring easy access to the hotel from major travel hubs.
Cary Arms & Spa prioritizes guest safety and well-being, implementing rigorous health and safety measures to ensure a comfortable and secure environment. With protocols in place for sanitization and health monitoring, guests can enjoy peace of mind during their stay.
There are numerous activities available to guests, both within the hotel and in the surrounding area. A must-see is the Kents Cavern Prehistoric Caves, located just 6 minutes away, where guests can experience ancient history through family-friendly tours. For something more interactive, the Babbacombe Model Village is a short 12-minute drive away, featuring miniature models of homes, castles, and even a fiery dragon. For those interested in wildlife, the Paignton Zoo Environmental Park is home to a variety of animals and is a short 23-minute drive from the hotel. Other nearby cultural experiences include Torre Abbey, a historic site just 10 minutes away, and the Torquay Museum, where guests can learn about the region's local history.
Guests are also in close proximity to several outstanding restaurants. The hotel's own Cary Arms Restaurant, located just 1 minute away by taxi, serves exceptional seafood and local dishes, while Hamiltons, Babbacombe Inn, and The Waddling Duck @ Hamiltons, all within a 2-minute taxi ride, provide additional excellent dining choices. For a slightly longer journey, The Offshore Bar and Restaurant, a 13-minute taxi ride away, offers a relaxed dining experience with great views.
Cary Arms & Spa invites guests to experience its blend of comfort, luxury, and coastal charm. Whether you're looking to relax and recharge or explore the many attractions nearby, this hotel offers the perfect combination for an unforgettable getaway.

The Most Outstanding Trait

1. Featured in The best dog-friendly hotels in the UK

2. Rooms equipped with kitchenettes for added convenience

3. Only a 9-minute walk to Oddicombe Beach

4. One of the few hotels in the area with a restaurant

5. Guests have praised the scenic bay view 38 times

6. Known for its lively nightlife atmosphere

7. One of the few hotels in the area with both a pool and spa

8. Full English breakfast included in every stay

9. Cottages available for larger groups and families

10. Pet-friendly property, ensuring a welcoming environment for all guests


7.8 Very Good

Location rating

Top sights

Kents Cavern Prehistoric Caves
6 min
Babbacombe Model Village
12 min
Paignton Zoo Environmental Park
23 min
Torre Abbey
10 min
Torquay Museum
6 min

Nearest locations

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

Good to know

Check-in15:00
Check-out11:00
Location rating7.8
Nearest airportExeter Airport
Travel time to airport40 min

Nightly price (Only for reference price for sample day)

Check-in: Fri, Dec 06
Check-out: Sat, Dec 07
    Booking.com

    $253

    Agoda

    $253

    LateRooms.com

    $253

    Bluepillow.com

    $255


Location

Babbacombe Beach, Torquay TQ1 3LX, United Kingdom

Airports:

Exeter Airport

Taxi: 40 min

Transit: 1 hr 55 min

Transit:

Torquay

Taxi: 12 min

Walking: 59 min

Babbacombe Rd 142

Walking: 13 min

Foxlands Appartments

Walking: 16 min

Torre

Taxi: 10 min

Walking: 52 min

Shops

Walking: 12 min


Nearby locations

7.8

Very Good Location

On the Babbacombe Bay beachfront, this upscale Victorian inn with rooms is a 13-minute walk from Babbacombe town centre.

Top Attractions

Top Restaurants


Amenities and Facilities

Activities

Beach front

Pets

Pet-friendly

Parking & transportation

Parking

Policies & payments

Smoke-free property

Food & drink

Restaurant

Bar

Breakfast

Wellness

No fitness center

Sauna

Spa

Children

Kid-friendly

Internet

Wi-Fi

Pools

Pool

Indoor pool

Rooms

No air conditioning

Kitchen


Reviews

100% reviews from partners and customers booking on Dinogo

8.8

10 reviews

Wonderful
7
Excellent
2
Good
0
Below Average
0
Not Good
1
MW

Michael W

5/5
Super-friendly staff, amazing views and top-drawer dining all helped to make our short stay unforgettably brilliant. The Cary Arms has such a lovely vibe which you pick up on arrival. …

j

joolzii88

5/5
My husband and I have just returned after a 2 night stay to celebrate his birthday, and it was absolutely wonderful! …

SC

Sonia C

4/5
Linda and Brad were so attentive and kind. My dog got spoiled too. Thank you we had the best time. The rooms are clean and have all you need. The spa is wonderful and the view is amazing from all over the premises. The breakfast and Sunday roast is amazing.

NP

Nick P

5/5
This is an amazing place to stay. Fantastic views, incredible accommodation and wonderful staff. Breakfast and evening meals were excellent and the staff did everything possible to ensure we had a relaxing, special weekend. The only negative is that we had to leave!

Cover Image for Matthew Marshman

Matthew Marshman

1/5
As regular visitors to the area, my wife and I have always appreciated the Cary Arms & Spa for its picturesque location and charming atmosphere. We've enjoyed many pleasant visits in the past, often stopping by for refreshments after a scenic coastal walk. However, our recent experience was a stark departure from our previous encounters, leaving us feeling utterly disappointed and unwelcome.From the moment we arrived, we were met with a disconcerting lack of hospitality. No staff greeted us, and we were left to wander through an empty bar and dining area, feeling completely ignored. Despite several empty tables, we were curtly informed that all were reserved and directed towards the outdoor seating area. While we eventually settled for this option, the initial refusal of service, despite the obvious availability, left us feeling undervalued and unwelcome.Our disappointment only intensified at the bar. My wife was repeatedly overlooked, despite being at the bar before another guest. It was disheartening to witness preferential treatment being given to a hotel guest, who was promptly ushered back to his table with the promise of drinks service, while my wife was left waiting and ultimately had to carry our drinks herself. This lack of basic queue management and the blatant disregard for our presence created a sense of disorganization and left us feeling like second-class patrons.Adding to our frustration was the lack of readily available information about the Sunday lunch menu. We had specifically chosen to visit in anticipation of our reservation for Sunday lunch the following day. However, we were met with a dismissive and unhelpful response when we inquired about the menu. The staff member we spoke to seemed utterly disinterested in assisting us, suggesting that checking the menu would be an unreasonable burden. This lack of transparency and the dismissive attitude we encountered made it impossible to plan our upcoming visit effectively and left us questioning our decision to dine there.To compound matters, as we were leaving and attempting to make sense of the limited menu options available for the following day, we were abruptly informed that lunch service had concluded and the kitchen was closed. This announcement, delivered with a complete lack of tact or consideration, felt like a final brush-off. It was particularly frustrating given the number of tables that remained unoccupied throughout our visit.Overall, our experience was a far cry from the luxury and hospitality that the Cary Arms & Spa claims to offer. The lack of a basic welcome, the inflexible and seemingly arbitrary reservation system, the unequal and inattentive service, and the dismissive attitude of staff members all contributed to an overwhelmingly negative experience.We sincerely hope that the management will take note of this feedback and address these service shortcomings to ensure that future guests receive the level of hospitality and care that one would rightfully expect from an establishment with such a reputation.

ML

Merrilyn L

5/5
We love the hotel, the location and the ambiance. It's lovely to sit outside in the sun overlooking the sea and sit cosily in the pub by the fire in Winter. …

Cover Image for Chloe B

Chloe B

5/5
Booked for Cary Arms restaurant for a meal following our wedding day, the staff went above and beyond to make our evening special. They made sure we had a table with an amazing view, food was incredible and they even gave us complimentary fizz which was an unexpected surprise. Very good, can’t wait to come back again in the future!

Service 5

Location5

JL

Jay L

5/5
The most relaxing stay I've had all year. An amazing hotel with a beautiful spa and a Michelin star restaurant. Everything was 10/10. The breakfast was exceptional. …

Cover Image for Chris Smith

Chris Smith

5/5
Amazing location looking out over the bay. What an absolute gem. All of the staff have made us feel so welcome. Great food in the restaurant, loads to do including paddle boarding and kayaking close by. Hope to come back soon.

Room 5

Service 5

Location5

Cover Image for C W

C W

4/5
Having enjoyed drinks on their terrace previously, we decided to celebrate my wife's birthday in the restaurant. As always, the staff were super attentive and as everyone knows, the views are spectacular. Unfortunately I was expecting more from the food - my wife and I ordered the specials, these were a fish trio medley and monk fish with harisa (parents had scampi and the fish and chips). I was disappointed with the medley, didn't feel fresh and felt over-sauced - I wouldn't order again. The monkfish was better, the flavourings were really good. The other two dishes were fried so not commenting though parents thought their food was good. As mentioned, great views, super service and food was OK.