The fact that at any given time a live poll is taking place enabling people looking for a hotel to access the views of those that have stayed at a hotel previously, does help in selecting where to stay.
H&C News put this to the test recently on a trip to Torquay.
If you go to Tripadvisor and ask them to show ‘best hotels in Torquay by ranking’ you will see that a hotel called Ascot House Hotel comes in at #1 of 89. By then clicking on the link for more details you can look at the hotel features. Most interesting we thought was that of the 415 reviews received 377 rated the hotel as excellent, so we booked it.
On arrival the hotel from the outside looks like very many others in Torquay, although (and we don’t know if it was a coincidence) the owners, Terri & Bernard, were outside to greet us with a very warm welcome as we arrived.
As you then enter the hotel you begin to realise from the inside that this hotel is not like very many others. It has elegance and a charm about it that draws you in. The art on the walls is diverse and complimentary, its décor is understated and quirky at the same time, put simply it has style.
There are five suites and all are very different, we stayed in the Sea View Suite. A spacious lounge with as the name would suggest a great view of the sea. A spacious bedroom and a glorious bathroom. As with the rest of the hotel the suite has charm and extends the owners warm welcome, you feel very comfortable.
We had a very enjoyable afternoon and evening leisurely strolling along the Torquay sea front which helped later in getting a sound night’s sleep, sea air and all that. Then came the best bit, breakfast.
A beautifully presented platter of fresh fruit is delivered to your table shortly after you sit down, cereals, toast, preserves, fruit juices and other tasty treats are on a wooden press that you help yourself to. A simple form and a pencil is then given to each guest and you select as many or as few traditional cooked breakfast items as you want. There is also a smoked salmon and scrambled eggs option, which one of us had and enjoyed immensely.
When the cooked breakfast arrived its presentation hinted at how good it would be, the roasted vine tomatoes were a nice touch. Not too much of anything and everything cooked to perfection, breakfast was a great meal.
As with everything at Ascot House Hotel, the attention to detail is meticulous.
When we planned our weekend away we had no plans to write up our hotel stay, but in total fairness to Terri and Bernard we had to.
- If you are planning a visit to Torquay we would not hesitate to Highly Recommend you stay there.
- If you are thinking about opening a boutique hotel stay there and afford yourself a lesson in how to do it.
- If you are running any type of hospitality and/or catering business big or small stay there and witness the effect of effortless and exceptional customer service.
And to complete our review…
Thank you Tripadvisor for pointing us in the direction of Ascot House Hotel.
Thank you Terri and Bernard for allowing us the privilege to pay to stay in your wonderful hotel, we will be back soon.