Orestone Manor

We stayed here a short while ago in a deluxe bedroom and the service from the staff was really good, it was very attentive. Staff serving behind the bar as well as in the restaurant were all on hand and very friendly. The hotel is situated outside Torquay and Babbacombe and it is not easily accessible to either unless you use a car. You can walk along the coastal footpath but that is a long walk with a huge steep decent down hill from the hotel and a walk of at least 30 minutes across the coastal path then another humongous uphill hike to either Babbacombe or Torquay. You need to be very fit to do it otherwise you will have to use your car and be prepared to navigate the tortuous tiny, bendy, country lanes to get to where you want to go. The hotel is old, quirky and the cliental are mainly elderly. There are no pools, inside or outside and no spa. No lift and no telephones in the bedrooms (at least not ours). Having said that, there is a pleasant terrace at the back of the hotel from which you can just about see the sea. On an honesty note:- Our deluxe room was number 6 and I do really think we got the short straw. It was advertised as "deluxe and exotic" but it was really only the size we would have expected in any superior room. The bathroom was big with a roll top bath which was totally unimportant to us since we prefer to shower. The room was advertised as having a balcony and overlooking the front garden. That was really, really stretching the truth. Our deluxe room overlooked the steep road down to the beach, the main entrance to the hotel and, more significantly, the car park. There was no front garden to speak of and who wants to sit on a balcony overlooking a car park? Unlike other rooms there was no view of the sea. More to the point, the main wall in the bedroom constituted a door out on to the balcony but there were no windows to open to let air into the bedroom other than a half window in the door and the door itself. The room was stiffling hot. We could open the balcony door but then it swung around in the wind, banging all night long and let in all the outside noise from the road and the car park and then the dustbin lorry which came into the front at 6am. It wasn’t a deluxe room in our opinion although we paid extra for it. In summary, the hotel was pleasant, in an out of the way location, the service from the staff was excellent, the food was good ( I wouldn’t go as far as to say excellent, but it was good) and we we enjoyed our stay but we would have enjoyed it more had we been in a nicer room.

What a gem of a hotel nestled on a quiet road leading down to the beach about 15 mins outside Torquay. We had a lovely room at the top of the house with a little sun terrace. The room was lovely, clean, nice en-suite and all amenities provided. We had dinner at the restaurant, 3 course meal and the standard was exceptional, my fillet steak was to die for. Breakfast was equally fabulous and the service was impeccable. The staff did everything to make our stay very enjoyable with a shout out to Craig, Karen and Molly. Will definitely be back

An absolute gem of a property in Torquay that should not be missed. On arrival at this manor house there is a large safe car park with stunning views over the grounds and out to sea. The property is unique throughout and each of the communal areas were wonderfully decorated with quirky items in each area. Had a feeling of luxury throughout. Our room was over two floors and also had a hot tub as well as facilities for drinks, et cetera. Again the decor and colours were wonderful. Dinner at the restaurant was out of this world and akin to any top end restaurant we have visited in the UK. An absolute credit to the chef and his staff. All staff were extremely helpful and went above and beyond what was expected. Following dinner there is a beautiful lounge area serving an array of drinks. There is also a log fire adding to the ambience of the property. We were made to feel very special at Orestone Manor and would have no hesitation in recommending this venue to anyone visiting Torquay