More about Barcelo Torquay Imperial Hotel
5 Star Sleeping
by freya_heaven about Imperial Hotel Torquay
The Imperial is the only 5 star hotel south west of Bristol, not the most externally attractive of hotels especially considering it was built in 1866. Wonderful views over Tor Bay, streching over to Berry Head in Brixham. Everything & more you would expect from a 5* establishment is here, swimming pools, 24hour room service, babysitting, beautiful interior decor etc. The hotel does not have much land attached, but it does have a small private beach.
They have two restaurants here, 1 formal & the other less so, I have eaten in both, very recommended.
Fantastic Views
by TripAdvisor Member iprodrick
What a view, we stayed here for 4 days in November and had a premier room on the 4th floor which afforded probably the best view in Torquay.
The room was in good order and the room service efficient ( incl bed turned down of an evening).
Food was good and plentiful and again the view was fantastic from the resturant.
Only one small fault was that we had to wait for a while to be served a drink in the lounge and we were the only people there at the time.
we will be returning and check out deals on popular websites as we got an excellent price
Real Class Hotel
by A TripAdvisor Member
I have no idea where some of the poor reviews for this hotel have come from. We have stayed there and experienced good levels of service, comfort and cleanliness. Our last stay was xmas 2004, we had room 108 which affored sea views to the side of the large balcony. The room was well appointed and clean and the bed very comfy. The decor of the hotel is quaint but not shabby in any way. The hotel staff were always curteous and chatted away. We ate at the elephant restaurant at the bottom of the hill where the hotel is located and had a fantastic meal. Lets face it, if you go to torquay you must know its reputation and we found it more charming than expected.
Is this a 5 star hotel, well it doesnt compare to the dubai class 5 stars but we thoroughly enjoyed the experience.
No way is this 5 star
by TripAdvisor Member chrisSwansea
We stayed at the Imperial from 4th - 7th March 2005. Staff were all helpful and courteous but the Regatta restaurant was a joke. Service was very slow for most meals even though there was a surfeit of waiting staff. Our room was of average standard only and bed linen was not changed throughout our 3 night stay. Dinner on the first night was very indifferent , with the beef course being tough and tasteless, service was abominably slow with very long delays between each course. Breakfast on the Saturday was fair with a good selection of dishes, but our second pot of tea was made with tepid water and was undrinkable - we explained to the waitress that you had to use boiling water to make tea and after another long delay an acceptable pot of hot tea arrived. Several other people complained about the tea. Dinner that night was reasonable and the service was much quicker than the previous night. On Sunday morning our friends went down to breakfast early and after being served with coffee and eating their cereal they went up to the buffet to collect their cooked breakfast only to find on return to their table that the waitress had cleared it. They then had to wait for the table to be relaid while their food cooled. At dinner on Sunday one of our party ordered trout and when it arrived it was only a half fillet - trout is one of the cheapest fish on the market today - surely they could have used a whole trout. Two of the group ordered the cheese board and when it arrived it was 3 pathetic wafer thin triangles of cheese with 4 grapes and a few shreds of celery, but plenty of crackers were provided - they must have been taking the mickey. There were huge cobwebs hanging from the beautiful ceilings in the reception area. Whoever manages/ owns this hotel needs to visit American or European hotels to see the standards expected in a five star hotel. Needless to say we will not be visiting this hotel again.
Fantastic views from the seaview rooms
by A TripAdvisor Member
We stayed in the Imperial hotel at the beginning of March & loved it. Our room (no. 129) had amazing views over the bay and was a good size. We spent a lot of time out on the balcony looking at the bay. The restaurant could have been better. We didn't rate the evening meal much, but the breakfasts were fantastic. We also spent all of Saturday afternoon using the pool, steam room & jacuzzi which was just heaven. Would definately go back, but would always go for the sea view, and would eat out in town in the evenings.
Getting worse everytime!!!!
by A TripAdvisor Member
We have stayed at the Imperial a few times now, and every time it seems to get worse. I have no doubt this hotel was 5 Star once but not any more. The room ( we have a suite with a huge balcony) was scruffy and dirty. The balcony was scruffy and dirty.
The food is the worse thing though. Breakfast, it has to be said is excellent and cannot be faulted. Dinner is another matter. Our last meal there, before checking out early, was terrible. The food was bland, very overcooked, tastless and a complete joke, it was suppose to be A la Carte, more like of a cart!!! I use to be a chef so I know a bad meal from a good one.
We refused to sign for dinner and informed reception we would be checking out first thing in the morning. Before we went the manager graced us with his presence. Instead of listeneing to a valid complaint from a regular guest, it was like being interogated. He gave us the impression he could not care less.
We will not be going back until the hotel has been brought out by another hotel chain. I feel the Hotel could be one of the best in the country but it needs major investment, a total change of management and a proffesional team behind it. So much potential going down the plug hole (assuming the plug hole is not blocked)
This is definately not a 5 star hotel.....more like 2 star
by A TripAdvisor Member
We visited this hotel over easter and stayed in a family room which was quite roomy, it has to be said. The room was number 26. It was fine untill we came to try to sleep. There is a noise , quite loud from a generator which can clearly be heard. The staff were very good at finding us another quieter room and the porters were excellent helping us to move.
The porters are the best thing about this hotel.
The food is a joke. Anything anygood has a supplement attached to it. Even then it is quite bland. In fact almost all the menu is charged at a supplement. The menu hardly ever changes. When you order a supplement they get the bill wrong at the end of the night. Always in their favour.
You have to queue up for breakfast in the morning and then queue for a table for dinner!
In the spa centre the shower outside the pool doesnt work so after being in the steam room you have to queue in the changing rooms for a shower prior top going back to the pool!
The staff are very good and helpfull with everything. They do try their best. The hotel does have great potential, but they should focus on giving better value for money. Oh nearly forgot. Order a Gin and tonic and you get a Gin with lemonade!
On the positive side. The Imperial band are very very good and the entertainment and dancing are very relaxing.
Fantastic Setting and a lovley birthday treat !
by TripAdvisor Member Caz'n'kel
Okay so i would say it was nice it was a birthday treat ! But believe me it was lovely. We were on the top floor with seaviews and balcony. It was fantastic being able to lay in bed and look right out over the Bay as if you were actually in it ! The room and hotel was immaculate, the food in the evenings was out of this world, the breakfasts okay but i do hate it when food is kept warm under those heat lamps as it never tastes the same as freshly cooked! The only downside for us was that as we were staying in late November they were holding a Dinner & Dance and we were not allowed to eat at the hotel on one of the nights and we had to find somewhere else to eat in the town which was not very courteous!! I would recommend this hotel to anyone and only hope we can go back again one day! One word of warning if i may don't try the Azure restaurant down the road as we did, very expensive for below average food !
best hotel every
by TripAdvisor Member doddsy96
staff service and penthouse room were the best i have ever had. reception were pleasant and helpfull. restaunt staff were exceptional; bar were also very good. the view from the room was stunning. will definately return
