The Imperial Torquay

The room was lovely and large, with a great view, but the bathroom was horrendously small. We also noticed two doors, one on each side of the room, connecting to other rooms, which made us feel uncomfortable. Our booking was completely messed up at first. They tried to put us in a garden room even though we'd booked a sea view. They did fix it, but only after a lot of fuss. The place looked run down as soon as we drove in, though reception was amazing, with chandeliers and all. Breakfast looked posh, but the cooked food was overdone, dry and cold. The cold selection was okay but minimal unless you wanted to make your own granola. For the money, sadly, it wasn't worth it.

I left disappointed because I'd expected so much from The Imperial Torquay. The photos online and the history had me picturing a grand Victorian hotel, with elegant rooms and a lounge where you could sit with a book and enjoy the sea view. I wanted to choose an independent historic place over a chain, and I can imagine what the building might have been like in its heyday, with ladies in corsets and gentlemen in the corridors. It's vast, with endless corridors. The room was cosy, and I found the older furniture charming, even though it clearly wasn't original Victorian décor. I know the building has been refurbished over the years. The staff at reception were welcoming. But the lounge and bar felt sparse, with little seating and hardly any of the historic character I'd hoped for. The restaurant was empty and uninspiring too. The exterior entrance didn't convey the grandeur I'd expected, and I found myself wondering how it looked in the late 1800s and early 1900s. Some cleaning details let the room down. There was visible toothpaste on the bathroom water glass, and the kettle area was dusty, though the bedside tables and bed frame were clean. In the morning there was only one towel for two people. We made do because we had to leave, but when I mentioned it at checkout, I was asked, “Did you look in the cupboard? The cleaning crew always leave one in there.” There was no apology or acknowledgment. I've worked in aviation and stayed in many hotels, and I've never found a room prepared with only one towel. That response put me off raising my other concerns in person. I do appreciate supporting an independent historic hotel. With more attention to detail, maintenance and the guest experience, it could live up to the grandeur it once represented. Maybe the online photos and romantic history shaped my expectations, but I still wish the stay had matched them.

We enjoyed our first night at The Imperial and will be back. The staff were friendly and helpful, and our standard sea-view bedroom was very clean and had everything we needed. Next time we'd ideally book a king-size, but that's just our preference. Dinner looked beautiful and tasted amazing. Breakfast was included, with a really good range for everyone, from pastries and fruit to continental choices and the good old English fry-up. Yes, the floorboards creaked, but it didn't bother us. I think it's unfair to call the hotel dated. It has character and history, and being right by the sea will obviously affect the exterior, though you can see they're trying to keep on top of it.

We had a lovely weekend, and the locals were friendly and welcoming. Before booking the Imperial, I saw mixed reviews about people's stays, but I'm glad we went ahead and weren't disappointed. The staff were amazing and friendly. The hotel was clean, and our lovely room had a separate bedroom and a sea view. The bed, quilt and pillows were all very comfortable. We also visited Kents Cavern. It was worth the money, and our guide was very knowledgeable.