We are a fully licensed family run establishment with 12 guest rooms, including 8 balcony rooms with uninterrupted sea views. We hope to make your stay with us as relaxing and as enjoyable as possible, with a level of service that will make you want to return.
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The Downs, Babbacombe is owned by us - Kate & Ed Wood. We live on site to the rear of the building. In my late teens I travelled extensively and lived in Europe and the Middle East. Upon returning to the UK - and Ed - I was Sales Manager for a computer firm in Birmingham. Both Ed and I are involved in all areas of the business but I do all of the cooking.
We are family run, seafront guest accommodation offering bed and breakfast, optional 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 Star 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 are set in a short Victorian terrace believed to have been built by Isaac Singer, of Singer sewing machine fame, c.1850. 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'.
Whilst it has always been our aim here at The Downs to make your stay as comfortable as possible, we feel it is very important we seek advice and guidance from recognised experts, and as such we have chosen to be affilliated with the AA. We were affilliated with and VisitEngland until 2019, but have made the decision it is no longer commercially viable to be so with them based on the benefits that organisation gives us. This is an annual award that is only given to the top 100 quality assessed establishments in the whole of the UK.
Our aim here at The Downs is to ensure you have a lovely stay. We have thought long and hard about everything we do, so if you have any questions not covered below please ask us before booking. Our aim from the outset has been to offer a high standard of accommodation with a personal level of service.
Reviews (15)
Barry Wilkinson
May 12, 2022
From the moment we arrived at the Hotel, we were welcomed with tea or coffee, The room was very nice, large bed with fresh linen and nice white towels, the view from the balcony beautiful, the Breakfast and Evening meal excellent, the staff were all friendly and very helpful. Ed And Kate the owners And staff made the stay a pleasure. The Location is excellent for touring many beautiful and interesting places.
Thomas Shelbourn
Jun 21, 2021
We stayed in this beautiful hotel over the summer half term and absolutely loved it! The view from our room and balcony was incredible and you could see right across to Sidmouth on a good day (and with some binoculars)! The surrounding area with the cliff train, beach, hotels, gardens, theatre and bars makes you feel like you're somewhere in Spain; such a wonderful holiday atmosphere!
The hotel itself offers outstanding service and it's old-fashioned charm and attention to detail made you feel like you were going back in time (in a good way)! The bedrooms we're very comfortable and well thought out so you had everything you wanted. We felt it was really excellent value for money! In particular we loved the attention to detail including: - The outstanding breakfast (we have been to many hotels, including much higher rated hotels, with not as good a breakfast!) - Room service (including being able to have breakfast on the balcony!) - Being able to order pretty much anything you could want for breakfast or at any other point! - The table, chairs and cushions on each balcony - The little ice cream parlour/outdoor seating - The little bar - The local art in the dinning room - The 'proper' table service (ie. Linen/ice buckets/formal table settings/very kind and attentive waitress) - Very well trained and attentive staff who want to look after you (including even changing uniform to clean the bedrooms!) Overall, this is a gem of a hotel and one we immediately wanted to go back to!
The hotel itself offers outstanding service and it's old-fashioned charm and attention to detail made you feel like you were going back in time (in a good way)! The bedrooms we're very comfortable and well thought out so you had everything you wanted. We felt it was really excellent value for money! In particular we loved the attention to detail including: - The outstanding breakfast (we have been to many hotels, including much higher rated hotels, with not as good a breakfast!) - Room service (including being able to have breakfast on the balcony!) - Being able to order pretty much anything you could want for breakfast or at any other point! - The table, chairs and cushions on each balcony - The little ice cream parlour/outdoor seating - The little bar - The local art in the dinning room - The 'proper' table service (ie. Linen/ice buckets/formal table settings/very kind and attentive waitress) - Very well trained and attentive staff who want to look after you (including even changing uniform to clean the bedrooms!) Overall, this is a gem of a hotel and one we immediately wanted to go back to!
Anthony Dugmore
Jun 16, 2021
We have just spent an amazing week at The Downs. From first stepping in the door the staff were so helpful, friendly and always went the extra mile to make our stay so amazing. The food was out of this world, I'm sure Gordon Ramsey was in the kitchen. Our room was spotless and the view from the balcony overlooking the sea will always be imprinted in our memories. Thanks again for an amazing week. Tony &Rachel
Amanda Everett
Jun 02, 2021
Nick Morris
Jan 20, 2021
Denise Tween
Jan 08, 2021
Sue Melia
Dec 07, 2020
Spent 2 lovely nights this week at The Downs Just before lockdown! Wow the view across the bay from our balcony was wonderful. Believe all rooms have seaview and balcony. Absolutley spotless room and bathroom. Not easy to acieve in a character building. So well looked after. Felt very safe. Good people work here and food wonderful. Lovely place to esacape to. We sat having eary morning coffee on our balcony sheltered from rain watching the sun come out across the bay and a rainbow appear. All the best to The Downs.
Janine Ballington
Oct 26, 2020
Caroline Barnett
Oct 26, 2020
Lisa Hanger
Mar 07, 2020
Rich Hutch
Feb 29, 2020
Working in devon for a couple of days caused a short notice stay at this hotel. What a great find! Such a lovely place with fantastic view of the sea front. Easy parking directly behind. The whole place is spotlessly clean, bedroom tastefully decorated to a high standard with a really comfy bed. The staff and the management are friendly and helpful - They clearly take great care about their business. The breakfast was top notch- yogurts, fresh fruits, followed by a quality full english - I was hungry : I would definitely return here if I'm in the area.
Hayley Vass
Feb 23, 2020
Guy Waters
May 01, 2019
I am reviewing even though our stay is not finished but felt the need to recommend this hotel We stayed mainly on the basis of cost and the fact they accommodate dogs We have not been disappointed so far and. everything needed for a comfortable stay is in place We have a sea view off a large room the breakfast is fantastic and staff very friendly What more do you need
Deano Edwin Atkins
Jan 29, 2019
Richard Smith
Nov 18, 2018
Venue, location ambience, service, etc stunning. Someone who isn't a coffee drinker has set up their coffee machine wrong, although I believe the coffee they get-in is good. Had to add some sugar to the canteen-cup sized "espresso" to make it drinkable (I never take sugar!). The lady on duty offered to replace it but because pressing the same button would have the same outcome, I declined that. Lovely occasion though just to be there relaxing.
