How it all began The Grand Hotel first opened in Torquay in 1881, in response to the Great Western Railway s expansion into the South West. Its striking Victorian architecture, elegant interiors, fantastic seafront location and award-winning food has earned it pride of place as Torquay s landmark hotel for over 130 years. During that time, The Grand has witnessed many historical events and has played its own role over the years. In 1926, it was one of the first hotels in the UK to install central heating a pioneering venture at the time! During World War Two, the hotel was requisitioned by the Royal Air Force. Behind the wallpaper in the rooms on the fourth floor, there are messages and dates that some of the aircrew scribbled on the walls and the restaurant was used as one large dormitory. Each crewman was given a pillow and blanket, and requested to find his own bed namely, whatever area of the floor was vacant by the time he got there! We ve welcomed many famous guests throughout our history, including the world-renown Queen of Crime, Agatha Christie and music legends, such as the Rolling Stones. Originally built with just 12 bedrooms, The Grand has been expanded several times to reach its present size of 132 en-suite bedrooms. Keith Richardson purchased the hotel in 2001 and undertook an extensive refurbishment in order to pay homage to its period architecture and Art Deco interiors. The Grand Hotel is an AA 4 Star hotel and also holds an AA Rosette for Fine Dining.
Fabulous coastal location We ve got one of the best locations on the English Riviera right on the seafront with fabulous views that encompass Brixham on one side and stretch round the bay to Torquay, with its pretty marina, on the other. With so much to see and do on the English Riviera, you really can tailor your holiday to suit your tastes right down to the way you choose to explore it.
Rooms with a view With 132 individually and comfortably furnished en-suite bedrooms to choose from many with wonderful sea views of the bay you ll find the space to relax and unwind, whether you are here for a break or on business. We have a variety of room categories and all have Wi-Fi, tea and coffee making facilities, hairdryer, TV and toiletries as standard. Our one and two bedroom suites offer some extra special touches to make your stay even more comfortable.
Savour award-winning food We want you to experience the most delicious food possible, whether you choose to dine more formally, relax with a light meal or indulge in a gorgeous Devonshire cream tea. Our award-winning team of chefs are dedicated to their craft and we re lucky to have some of the best ingredients on our doorstep, whether that s locally caught seafood, fresh seasonal vegetables or delicious Devon beef, lamb or chicken. To top it all, whatever you choose, the views are superb. Restaurant 1881 named after the year the hotel was founded, offers a Table d Hôte menu, featuring fabulous local ingredients combined with superb flavours. You ll find dishes with influences from around the world, plus traditional British favourites all guaranteed to make your mouth water. For something a bit more relaxed but with no compromise on flavours our Compass Lounge and Café Bar is bound to tempt you with its mixture of Brasserie style food, lighter fare, snacks and sandwiches. Our sea facing terrace is perfect for chilling out with a glass of wine or a cocktail.
Unwind Relax, unwind or keep fit at The Grand. Our Leisure Club has something to please everyone, including 2 pools, multi-gym, Jacuzzi, sauna and tennis court. Our indoor pool is open year-round and our outdoor pool is open during the warmer summer months and sits in the middle of a sunny terrace area. Our gym is equipped with a cross trainer, two treadmills, cycles, rowing machine, step machine and a multi-gym station. Looking good is easy too, when you pamper yourself with a special treatment at The Grand s beauty clinic. Offering a wide range of treatments for both men and women, you can choose from makeovers, manicures and pedicures to waxing, reflexology, aromatherapy, massages and hot stone treatments.
Bring the family With our comfortable family rooms, excellent leisure facilities and close proximity to beaches (the nearest is right opposite!), we re the perfect base for a family holiday. There are plenty of local attractions and activities nearby great for all ages and there are miles and miles of coastline to explore right on the doorstep.
Celebrate We offer all the ingredients to ensure your day is perfect, whether you are celebrating a wedding, anniversary, birthday or other special occasion. Our elegant rooms, sea facing terrace and stunning sea views will all ensure picture perfect memories. Our team of chefs will create mouthwatering menus and our experienced Events Team and Wedding Coordinators will help you to plan every little detail from start to finish!
The English Riviera and beyond The English Riviera has 22 miles of stunning coastline, offering some of the best beaches in Devon, superb walks and the world s first urban UNESCO-designated Global Geopark. There are excellent local attractions, including two steam railways, boat trips to the delightful harbour towns of Brixham and Dartmouth and any number of maritime activities. The historic cities of Plymouth and Exeter are perfect for day trips and the stunning Dartmoor National Park is an easy drive away. In fact, the English Riviera provides the perfect hub for exploring this beautiful part of Devon.
The English Riviera may be most famous for its award-winning beaches and exotic palm trees, but it has much more to offer than just seaside holidays, boasting more attractions than any other resort in the UK...
Our Family Family is at the heart of everything we do. We are not only a family of hotels but we are also a family-run business. We have a passion for hotels and this extends to every part of what we do from the stunning period architecture, which is being lovingly restored and refurbished, to our individually-appointed bedrooms, award-winning food and our commitment to providing excellent service to our guests. At Richardson Hotels, our team is a family too and we look forward to welcoming you, your family and friends and to ensuring your stay with us is one where memories are made Keith and Fiona Richardson
How to Find Us The Grand Hotel, Seafront, Torquay, Devon, TQ2 6NT By road: Via the M5 and A38, taking the exit for the A380, following signs to Paignton/ Torquay. In Torquay, follow signs for the seafront and with the sea in front of you, turn right at the traffic lights. Take the right hand filter at the next traffic lights, where you will see the Grand Hotel in front of you. By rail: The Grand is adjacent to Torquay Railway Station. By air: Exeter International Airport is a 35 minute drive from Torquay. We can assist you to organise car hire or taxi service. By sea: Torquay Marina can provide berths. Please contact Torquay Marina on 01803 200210 for details of availability. Parking at the hotel: Car parking spaces are available in our garage. Please enquire about booking a space when making your reservation. There are also spaces in the road outside the hotel and allocated spaces in the station car park, opposite the hotel.
THE GRAND HOTEL Seafront, Torquay, Devon, TQ2 6NT General Enquiries: 01803 296677 Reservations: 0800 005 2244 reservations@richardsonhotels.co.uk www.grandtorquay.co.uk www.richardsonhotels.co.uk AA Rosette www.grandtorquay.co.uk www.falmouthhotel.com www.thefoweyhotel.co.uk www.the-metropole.co.uk