Name: The Downs, Babbacombe
Address: Seafront, 41-43 Babbacombe Downs Road, Babbacombe, Torquay, Torquay, TQ1 3LN, United Kingdom, Seafront, 41-43 Babbacombe Downs Road, Babbacombe, Torquay, TQ1 3LN, UK
Rating: 7.7

The Downs, Babbacombe

–Excellent location - show map

+59 photos

About this property

Beachfront Location: The Downs, Babbacombe in Torquay offers direct beachfront access with stunning sea views. Guests can relax on the terrace or enjoy outdoor seating areas. Comfortable Accommodations: Rooms feature private bathrooms, balconies, and modern amenities such as free WiFi, flat-screen TVs, and tea and coffee makers. Family rooms and child-friendly buffet cater to all guests. Dining Experience: The traditional restaurant serves British cuisine with vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, and dairy-free options. Breakfast is available in-room, and room service enhances convenience. Local Attractions: Oddicombe Beach is less than 1 km away, while Exeter International Airport is 41 km distant. Nearby attractions include Riviera International Centre and Brixham Harbour.

Couples particularly like the location — they rated it 9.5 for a two-person trip.

Distance in property description is calculated using © OpenStreetMap

Property highlights

- Top location: Highly rated by recent guests (9.5)

Availability

Select dates to see this property's availability and prices

Room type	Number of guests
Standard Double Room with Balcony and Sea View 1 large double bed
Compact Double Room with Balcony and Sea View 1st Floor 1 large double bed
Double Room with Rear View 2nd Floor 1 large double bed
Standard Twin Room with Balcony and Sea View 2 single beds
Compact Double Room with Balcony and Sea View 2nd Floor 1 double bed
Double Room with Rear View 1st Floor 1 large double bed
Double Room with Rear View 2nd Floor 1 extra-large double bed
Small Double Room 1 large double bed
Small Double Room 1 extra-large double bed

Guest reviews

Categories:

Staff

Facilities

Cleanliness

Comfort

Value for money

Location

Free WiFi

Guests who stayed here loved

Gary
United Kingdom
“Beautiful views, excellent breakfast. Vlean and comfortable room”
Lauren
United Kingdom
“Perfect location, lovely breakfast and comfortable room! Everyone was very friendly and welcoming.”
Jenny
United Kingdom
“Perfect location in Babbacombe with stunning views”
Sara
United Kingdom
“Ed was extremely accommodating when we arrived at the property. He was patient and kind and even took the time to chat with us whilst we enjoyed a coffee. We were made to feel at home almost instantly and nothing was any bother. The room was...”
Sharon
United Kingdom
“The location beautiful views and walking distance to the theatre and other restaurants. Fantastic evening meal and breakfast. Generous portions.”
H
United Kingdom
“We loved the location of the hotel, awesome views from the room and from the balcony. Friendly ,helpfull stuff. Easy access, short distance to the beach. Delicious breakfast! Money well spent👌”
Ellen
United Kingdom
“the location is stunning, the views and the balcony were perfect. the staff were very accommodating and friendly.”
Stephanie
United Kingdom
“The breakfast was wonderful. Great berries, yoghurt & cereal choices and the smoked salmon & scrambled eggs were amazing. There is no parking but we were able to pull up to load/unload, easier because it was out of season I imagine. Room 12 on 2nd...”
Patricia
United Kingdom
“Excellent breakfast choices. Good local produce and credit to the chef for his perfect poached eggs Excellent location and fantastic sea views from the bedroom Staff extremely friendly pre booking and during stay I stayed in the Compact 1st...”
Rebecca
United Kingdom
“Location was fantastic, and the view was incredible. Had breakfast on our last day and the choices were plentiful and the quality was a really good standard. The staff couldn't do more for us and were so welcoming and helpful. I would certainly go...”

Managed by Kate and Ed with their children Charlie and Emily Wood

Company review score: 9.2Based on 43 reviews from 1 property

1 managed property

Company information

Welcome to The Downs, Babbacombe. The Downs has been offering serviced accommodation since before the 2nd World War and is located on the seafront of Babbacombe, the more prestigious area of The English Riviera, 1.9 miles from the main harbour area of Torquay, South Devon. It is privately owned and run by Ed & Kate Wood and independently graded as: 4* GOLD Guest Accommodation by the AA For its commitment to excellence it has also been awarded: AA Breakfast Award - AA Dinner Award VisitBritain Rose Award 2018 It was crowned as Winners of South Devon's Bed & Breakfast, Guest House and Inn of the Year 2013 and Small Boutique Hotel and Guest Accommodation of the Year 2018. It is accredited by Child Friendly Matters. It benefits from 12 en-suite bedrooms, a fully licenced bar lounge and restaurant and boasts 8 balcony rooms with breathtaking panoramic sea views over Lyme Bay. The municipal area is locally referred to as Torbay being the towns of Torquay, Paignton & Brixham which border the bay called Tor Bay and is collectively referred to as The English Riviera. Torquay harbourside is 1.9 miles away and the main shopping area is 1.5 miles away.

Property information

Hello and welcome to The Downs Babbacombe. We are family run, seafront guest accommodation offering bed and breakfast, optional residents evening meals and a fully stocked bar open to both residents and the public, with a seasonal forecourt cafe. We have been independently graded as 4* Guest Accommodation by the AA with a Gold accolade. For our commitment to excellence we have also been awarded a Breakfast and Dinner Award from the AA, We were also crowned South Devon's Bed & Breakfast, Guest House and Inn of the Year in October 2013. The Downs Babbacombe was originally called The Downs Hotel and dates back to before the 2nd world war. The 'Hotel' was dropped from the name in 2007 and we were reclassified as Guest Accommodation to bring us in line with AA and VisitBritain grading criteria. However we still retain the facilities we had prior, including our spacious residents restaurant and fully licensed Lounge Bar. Indeed we are still known locally and to our long standing returning guests as The Downs Hotel and retain as our website, trading name and address.

Neighbourhood information

We are set in a short Victorian terrace believed to have been built by Isaac Singer, of Singer sewing machine fame, c.1850. adjacent to Babbacombe Downs, close to Torquay harbour in The English Riviera, South Devon. Babbacombe Downs is a long stretch of common land, with the highest promenade in the country and sweeping wooded cliffs to the beaches of Oddicombe and Babbacombe below. To make the journey down to the beach at Oddicombe you have the gentle alternative of travelling the 240 feet down on the cliff railway, which has been operating since 1926. Babbacombe is a village within the town of Torquay which is often referred to as the 'Jewel in Torquay's crown'. A resort in its own right some guest feel Babbacombe & St Marychurch has everything they need so venture no further. Along with the beaches and open spaces Babbacombe is home to several major attractions, its own shopping area and is 5 mins walk from the picturesque St Marychurch village precinct. To reach Torquay harbour stoll along the Babbacombe Road, passing through Wellswood a popular street lined with shops, cafes and restaurants. Excellent bus services run regularly for those not wishing to walk.

Languages spoken

German,English

Property surroundings

Restaurants

1 restaurant on site

Restaurant #1
- Cuisine
  British
- Ambiance
  Traditional
- Dietary options
  Vegetarian • Vegan • Gluten-free • Dairy-free

House rules

The Downs, Babbacombe takes special requests - add in the next step!

Check-in

From 15:30 to 21:00

Guests are required to show a photo identification and credit card upon check-in

You'll need to let the property know in advance what time you'll arrive.

Check-out

Until 10:00

Cancellation/ prepayment

Cancellation and prepayment policies vary according to accommodation type. Please enter the dates of your stay and check the conditions of your required option.

Children and beds

Child policies

Children are not allowed.

Cot and extra bed policies

Cots and extra beds are not available at this property.

No age restriction

There is no age requirement for check-in

Pets

Pets are allowed on request. Charges may be applicable.

Cards accepted at this property

Cash is not accepted

Smoking

Smoking is not allowed.

The fine print

Need-to-know information for guests at this property

Please note there is no lift and all rooms are on the first and second floor.

Unfortunately, due to size restrictions, standard accommodation is unsuitable for infants.

Please note that there is no parking available on the property but free parking is available nearby. The Downs is in no way responsible for parking fines issued by wardens.

Smoking is not permitted anywhere inside the hotel or on the balconies. Failure to adhere to this will result in guests being asked to leave immediately. The full charge of any accommodation booked will still be applicable plus a GBP 50 cleaning fee.

Well behaved dogs are allowed for a small charge by prior agreement (when booking), but are only allowed in the bedroom and the lounge-bar (guests should bring their own doggy bedding for total comfort).

Guide dogs will not be charged for and are allowed in the public areas.

Guests are required to show a photo identification and credit card upon check-in. Please note that all Special Requests are subject to availability and additional charges may apply.

Please inform The Downs, Babbacombe in advance of your expected arrival time. You can use the Special Requests box when booking, or contact the property directly with the contact details provided in your confirmation.

In response to Coronavirus (COVID-19), additional safety and sanitation measures are in effect at this property.

Due to Coronavirus (COVID-19), this property is taking steps to help protect the safety of guests and staff. Certain services and amenities may be reduced or unavailable as a result.