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4.5
#4 of 7 inns in Torquay
Location
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Chic, boutique 5 star inn privately owned and managed by the de Savary family in the unrivalled location of Babbacombe Bay. There are 10 contemporary, New-England style bedrooms and suites with outstanding sea-view, 6 Beach Huts and 2 Beach Suites plus 9 coastal cottages All have excellent sea views with outdoor decks, balconies or gardens. The atmosphere is luxuriously relaxing and friendly. Head Chef, Steve Poyner and his team serve the very best of English heritage dishes focusing on local, seasonal ingredients in an informal and relaxed setting. Hearty breakfasts, long lunches and lazy suppers indoors or out on the sun-terraces. Sheltering in its own unsung part of the South Devon Coast, the English Riviera, the inn is accessible by water and has its own moorings. Enjoy the stunning spa with its hydrotherapy pool, experience showers, sauna, steam room and beauty treatment rooms. Dog and family friendly. The inn is perfect for those looking for a luxurious and private getaway.
Star ratings are intended to indicate the general level of features, amenities, and services to expect. This property is classified according to TheAA: The Automobile Association.
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The Cary Arms & Spa is lauded for its impeccable cleanliness, although housekeeping lapses have been noted by a few guests. Nestled in a stunning location that guests often describe as a slice of paradise, it boasts a range of amenities that mostly leave visitors impressed, especially the comfortable rooms and attentive service.
However, opinions diverge on the value, with some finding the prices steep, particularly for spa services. While the atmosphere is generally seen as inviting, the decor could benefit from rejuvenation.
Location
Picturesque
Atmosphere
Welcoming
Rooms
Comfortable
Value
Expensive
Cleanliness
Mixed
Service
Attentive
Amenities
Well-appointed
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Firstly the location is simply breathtaking, the warm and friendly welcome my husband I received was greatly appreciated. Our room was perfection and the attention to detail in offering such comforts (Suite 8) with the complimentary items available in the suite were above and beyond what you would normally receive when staying in such high end hotels. This again was greatly appreciated……Oh my goodness…..the view from our room!!!!
Mesmerizing, tranquil and serene, a little piece of heaven!!
Dinner was excellent and we personally felt it was extremely good value, certainly not over priced for the quality, choice and presentation, superb! Breakfast was absolutely lovely.
All of that said, The Cary Arms really did tick all of our personal boxes and the staff were SUPER. Our stay was an absolute pleasure that will be cherished. Thank you ALL.
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Date of stay: March 2024
Value
Location
Service
Trip type: Travelled as a couple
Room Tip:Suite 8
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from The Cary Arms and Spa, Guest Services / Front Office at The Cary Arms & Spa
Responded 21 Mar 2024
Hi Lisa, And we think your review is F A B U L O U S!!! Thank you so very much for taking the time to write this wonderful feedback, the teams will be thrilled. The Beach Suites are truly spectacular, in any type of weather for that matter, but a bit of sunshine makes it just perfect. The Beach Huts are not too bad either.... We do try on the detail and have some specific signatures like the game of cards, domino and even hot water bottles to keep those feet warm in winter! But let spring begin.... Thank you again and we hope to see you again soon. Best Regards, The Cary Arms & Spa
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
We have eaten at this delightful location many times over the years & it was an easy choice for a “big birthday” treat. The only stipulation was to be able to see the sea from the bed.
Check-in & valet parking were dealt with most professionally & we were made to feel very welcome from the minute we arrived. There was a slight hiccup with the first room but Lisa, a fabulous Receptionist, dealt with it swiftly & exceptionally. She certainly made you feel as if nothing was too much trouble.
The new Beach Huts are absolutely fabulous, with uninterrupted views of the sea from both the sitting room through fully folding glass doors, & upstairs via a large porthole. Sadly February weather wasn’t conducive to taking advantage of the large deck area & nice wooden loungers. So many thoughtful little touches are made to ensure your comfort & your every need is catered for. The added bonuses of a decanter of delicious sloe gin & some lovely wines made it really special.
Friends had ordered flowers & champagne for the room. The flowers were in an attractive & easily transportable receptacle so they could be taken home easily. After five days they are still looking very fresh, so even flower quality is excellent.
A charming male Receptionist dealt with check-out & the receipt was handed over in a nice hessian bag containing refreshments for the journey, a final lovely touch. It would be so easy to move in there permanently!
One word of advice: after all the delicious food you might think it a good idea to walk up to the car park, DON’T walk up the lane unless you are fit, the steps are far less strenuous.
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Date of stay: February 2020
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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Stayed here for 3 nights for our wedding anniversary. Road is very steep with several bends getting down to the hotel, you off load your luggage and then park the car in their car park half way back up the hill. They do offer to do this for you if you prefer. Location of the hotel is gorgeous with its own harbour with moorings and a small beach which is quite rocky when the tide goes out. There’s also a lovely walk round the coast to Oddicombe beach opposite which has the cliff railway down to it, plus walks up through the woods to Babbacombe. We were allocated the Commander room which was single storey on the corner of the hotel with its own front door and verandah with table and chairs. We had 4 windows with views out over the sea and coastline so very bright and light, spacious and well decorated. All the meals we had at the hotel were excellent and as the weather was good the majority of them were outside on the terrace. Full Devonshire cooked breakfast included everything black pudding, fried bread, mushrooms, the lot, the Sunday roast lunch was again everything you could think off with 5 different vegetables, we even got to sit at the captains table, a circular table on an elevated jetty with all round views which helped make it a memorable experience. Our wedding anniversary dinner we brought forward to 6.45pm so we could eat outdoors and enjoy the evening sun, all 3 courses were fabulous the scallops, duck, chocolate brownie, wine wasn’t too badly priced either and a good choice of local gins, I preferred the Lyme Bay grapefruit one. All the staff we encountered at the hotel were very friendly and helpful and obviously very busy now they were having to do table service. Sammy the resident seal came and visited every day into the little harbour and was huge but very friendly almost wanting to play with a dog on the steps and some children jumping in to the sea from the harbour wall. The children were also jumping off a huge rock at the side of the hotel into the sea which was frightening to watch. We walked up to the model village and that was well worth a visit, see other review. There are also quite a few bars and restaurants nearby to eat at if you don’t want to eat at the hotel every night. As a side note the hotel is very dog friendly and there were quite a few on the terrace and around the tables where food is served. We would definitely recommend and would definitely go back.
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Date of stay: July 2020Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Rob Allen, Guest Services / Front Office at The Cary Arms & Spa
Responded 5 Aug 2020
Dear Jayne, Thank you very much for your feedback. We always love to hear when someone has enjoyed the hotel and area as that is what it is all about. The hill is all part of the charm, hence the sloe gin in your room for arrival! We wish you the best in the future and look forward to welcoming you back. Best Wishes, Rob Allen - Operations Manager
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Like many others, with holidays cancelled and uncertainty around international travel we booked a short break in the UK and based on their innovative website, the promises of 5 star service and luxury we plumped for the Cary Arms..
We booked one of the beach huts, to enjoy a bit of peace and quiet and glorious views of Babbacombe bay, we were not disappointed, the location was fantastic with stunning views of the bay and beyond, the accommodation was beautifully finished to a high standard and very comfortable for all our needs. My only concern is these “huts” get very warm, there is no air conditioning and as you sleep on the mezzanine any hot days the night would be uncomfortable, we just about got away with it!
That was the high point, there is a complete disconnect between the beautiful accommodation that has recently been added and the rest of the service offering – 5 star it certainly isn’t. From the lack of welcome, to just being given a handful of keys with no instructions, to the chaotic breakfast service this is a real missed opportunity for all concerned with the Cary Arms – the staff are young and enthusiastic but lack any real training or guidance in what they should be doing, there was no oversight and no checking you were ok and had everything you needed. Reception was just that, a place to drop your keys and move on, when we enquired about places to visits or where we might find certain shops or the best walks to do, we were offered little.
I accept this are challenging times, but the winners are those that think outside the box, the website offers so much, but the experience delivers so little. There are not many people staying at any one time and it would take very little to really add that personal touch and find out what people want. I realise this cant all be put on display, so you have to work harder and communicate more.
I suspect you don’t have to try that hard, as top level accommodation in this area is hard to come by, but this could be so much better!
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Date of stay: August 2020
Rooms
Service
Sleep Quality
Room Tip:If you want a beach hut request not to have 1 or 2 as they are attached and the noise from the...
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Rob Allen, Guest Services / Front Office at The Cary Arms & Spa
Responded 8 Aug 2020
Dear Guest, Although we are happy to hear that you enjoyed our beach huts and the views of Babbacombe, I was disheartened to hear that you did not receive the standard of service we strive for at The Cary Arms. Firstly I would like to apologise, we want all of our guests to leave with the feeling that they were well looked after and would want to come back again. At your earliest convenience, if you would like to contact me via email : rob@caryarms.co.uk or on site 01803327110 I would very much like to go through your experience as we are keen to learn from the feedback. Best Wishes, Rob Allen - Operations Manager
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My partner and I spent two nights at the Cary Arms & Spa, just before Christmas. Whilst it was an opportunity to relax, it was also for a birthday celebration.
Once our booking was made, which included Christmas dinner and spa access, I contacted the team with regards to some special requests. Their correspondence prior to our arrival was welcoming and reassuring. Everyone- the porter, waiting staff and receptionist were in on the request and it was executed brilliantly, from the very moment we arrived. The service remained at this high standard for the duration of our stay; we always felt well accommodated at the Cary without it feeling too formal.
We stayed in a beach hut which was wonderful. The details were marvellous, including the delicious slow gin and the relaxing fire. I don't think there was an aspect of it we didn't like, and consequently wished we could have stayed another night.
The spa was another gem. The facilities were clean and aesthetically pleasing, but most of all, we had it to ourselves most of the time. Enjoying the view from the pool was a particularly relaxing way to spend some time.
The gym looked good, but my good intentions disappeared when I saw the spa, so can't comment further.
Besides enjoying a walk around the bay, another relaxing way to spend some time was in the residents' lounge with a complimentary cocktail and mince pie. Again, we mostly had this to ourselves to enjoy the view and see the Cary mentioned in magazines.
On both evenings we had dinner, which was delicious, and accompanied by an in-house piano player. I didn't realise this until the following morning when I commented on the piano situated in the dining area. The pianist even played some music from 'The Phantom of the Opera' which made it extra-special for us.
The breakfast was also delicious, with a good range of food and drink available to order as well as a continental offer.
Overall, the stay was exceptional, and we were quite sad to leave. Everything about this place, from its location down to it's small details, was exactly what we needed for a relaxing break, and the service we received from every member of the team is why I have written this review. Thank You.
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Date of stay: December 2019Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
I've travelled all over the world. Stayed in some really expensive hotels (not Ritz expensive) and some budget friendly ones too. This hotel and spa is by far the best place I have ever, every stayed. The service is warm, friendly and efficient. The hotel is absolutely charming, classy but low key...the balance is perfect. Location it is down a very steep winding road, honk your horn around corners, as it is quite busy with locals and travellers alike (there is a small car park by the beach that attracts traffic, it maybe has 15 spaces). Hotel has its own parking and if you're daunted about driving back up, the staff are more than accommodating in parking your car for you. The breakfast is brilliant, dinner and lunch services are delicious and there is a little reserved area for guests outside so you're never going to miss a spot to eat/drink. Stayed in just a Luxury room, so one up from entry level. It had a wee little balcony to sit on, large bedroom and bathroom. Plus the hotel is dog friendly, there were a few friendly pooches when we stayed for our own dog to introduce herself to. When we arrived my partner was very stressed (was a 5 hour drive from London and he'd flown in from Europe lat the previous night), within 5 minutes he was his relaxed self again. We can't wait to go back and sit by the ocean and walk the local trails. Don't delay, when they open, make the trek, you will only regret not going sooner.
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Date of stay: August 2019
Rooms
Location
Service
Room Tip:If you're taking your hound, mention it at booking to ensure a dog friendly room.
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Andrew Nightingale, General Manager at The Cary Arms & Spa
Responded 10 Jul 2020
Dear Guest, Thank you so much for taking the time to place a review. All the team were delighted to read your comments. We hope you see you again at the Cary Arms in the near future. Kind regards, Andrew
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My wife and I chose the Cary Arms for a short early autumn break in September. It is reached by a VERY steep road leading down to a small bay, over which the hotel has the perfect view. Hotel assistance with parking is readily available, and highly recommended. I would have given the hotel five stars but for one detail; I would expect a hotel in this price range to offer a bath in each bedroom, not just a shower. But with this exception, everything about our stay was excellent. All the staff we encountered were friendly and attentive without being intrusive. The food was well-cooked and presented, using local ingredients (including locally-caught fish). We were lucky enough to be able to sit outside a couple of times, and the views across the bay and along the Devon and Dorset Coasts as far as Portland are just perfect. For us it was an ideal location.
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Date of stay: September 2021
Value
Location
Room Tip:I believe all rooms have sea-view, so your choice is a matter of price.
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Rob Allen, General Manager at The Cary Arms & Spa
Responded 23 Oct 2021
Good afternoon, Thank you for your feedback. We do take all of the feedback we receive on board so we will look into your comment about there not being a bath in the room. I am glad that overall you enjoyed your stay and hopefully we get to welcome you back in the future. Best wishes, Jack
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When the friendly concierge lifted our luggage from the boot for us we knew we were in for a special week. The staff, facilities and location were so stunning to us as we arrived for the fabled First Holiday since the passing of the last 2 years strewn with anxiety, grief and frustration, were so overwhelmingly stunning that I burst into tears.
The main building is a cosy pub sitting on the bay populated by seabirds, seals and the local scuba club. After a delicious dinner featuring a great choice of local fish and multiple excellent vegan options, further exploration of the Cary Arms reveals a cosy resident’s lounge, a spotless spa, and our very well-appointed ‘beach hut’ accommodation, which are all welcoming, and deliciously peaceful.
We ate our mixture of hearty and healthy breakfasts amongst other guests, though never felt crowded. The afternoons relaxing in the spa were similarly peaceful, since Covid restrictions require pre-booking, and the hosts are able to ensure numbers remain limited at any given time.
To work up our appetites we swam from the jetty, and walked sections of the South West Coastal path which are both meters away from the door. We rewarded ourselves for our efforts with more spa sessions. Only the allure of the cocktails on the sunny terraces before dinner could drag us away from the pool with it’s panoramic view of Babbacombe bay over towards Taunton and beyond.
Once seated, we were treated to excellent service and a fantastic wine list, again with many vegan choices. Alex and Richard were just two of the whole team who looked after us kindly and professionally.
On the final morning I had one more pre-breakfast swim in the bay, before the concierge drove us back to our car, the departure only softened by the vow that we will return again and again to relive one of my favourite holidays ever
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Date of stay: April 2022
Value
Cleanliness
Service
Room Tip:Sea views abound
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Rob Allen, General Manager at The Cary Arms & Spa
Responded 7 May 2022
Good afternoon Cadi, Thank you for your kind review. I am glad you enjoyed your stay here with us. I will pass on your lovely feedback to the team. Hopefully we get the chance to welcome you back. Kind regards, Jack
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Having visited The Cary Arms with friends on a Feb half term trip, I decided to book the Captain's Table for my husband's birthday lunch in August.
At first it looked like the weather might be against us, with torrential rain in the morning but we took our chances and are very glad we did.
The food was delicious and the service was great. The view from this restaurant is wonderful, even better from the Captain's Table!
There is a very conscious effort with regards to COVID, waiting staff all wearing masks, hand sanitiser readily available.
We even had a visit from Sammy the Seal to top off a lovely afternoon!
I would say if you are a nervous driver that the descent to the car park is a bit hairy and getting back up can be tricky if there is anything coming down the very narrow single lane. But I would say it is definitely worth it!
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Date of stay: August 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Rob Allen, General Manager at The Cary Arms & Spa
Responded 9 Oct 2020
Good Afternoon, Thank you for your comments, myself and the team are always delighted to hear that our guests have enjoyed their stay. It is always a lovely experience when Sammy decides to show up and show off. We wish you the best of luck going forward and thank you again for your feedback. Best Wishes,
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On fabulous sunny warm day booked an outside table. The views were just beautiful. Parking is a slight issue although interesting!
The public area needs a little tlc, a clean and lick of paint wouldn't have gone amiss.
We had starters of mozzarella with basil and scallops with chorizo. Both were very basic, the scallops were slightly undercooked and grainy.
Mains were Hake with a rosti type potatoes and a risotto. The Hake was okay, however the risotto was more like a rice pudding, far too much cream and overcooked ie soggy.
I dont mind paying £85 for lunch if it is excellent. This food was not worth the money to be honest, but the view and location countered the slightly below average food. Waiting staff were really attentive, efficient and helpful so well done them.
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Date of stay: July 2021Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Rob Allen, General Manager at The Cary Arms & Spa
Responded 1 Aug 2021
Good Afternoon, Thank you for taking the time give us some feedback on your stay. I can only apologize for the quality of the dishes that you received for your lunch. I have passed on your comments to our kitchen team and we will endeavor to take your comments on board. I hope you enjoyed the rest of your stay in the area and hopefully we can welcome you back soon. All the best, Rob
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Hi Kate,
If you're confident your pooch will be happy content and well behaved on their own than we are happy for them to be left on their own! If they are going to be upset and lonely on their own, potentially barking to try and get your attention, we'd prefer for you not to as it may disturb other guests nearby.
Thanks,
David
General Manager
Our Beach hut had a small decking area in front of it which would suffice for a breath of fresh air for a very small dog like our visually impaired one-however you can walk dogs through grounds and get to the roads for toilet business but definitely nowhere with a large enclosed garden area except maybe the cottages within the grounds of hotel. Many people used to pass our beach hut with bigger dogs that they had taken down along the jetty area near beach for a longer walk. Some of the dog friendly rooms may be in the main hotel building which only have windows, so it may be worth telephoning and having a chat to the lovely staff.
The hotel is a proper dog friendly hotel! Nothing is too much trouble- our dog was treated like a celebrity hee hee!! They put a bed and abowl with treats in your room - plus they have their own menu in the restaurant. They can eat in the bar with you. The only place they aren't allowed is the conservatory restaurant. We took his blanket and a chee and he sat on the floor beside us. Would thoroughly recommend the hotel.
There are more places to choose from in the Torquay area.
PRICE RANGE
£198 - £309 (Based on Average Rates for a Standard Room)
ALSO KNOWN AS
the cary arms hotel torquay
LOCATION
United KingdomEnglandDevonEnglish RivieraTorquay
NUMBER OF ROOMS
18
Prices are provided by our partners, and reflect nightly room rates, including all taxes and fees known to our partners. Please see our partners for more details.
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