Cary Arms in Torbay - Phone Number, Reservations, Reviews

Been coming here for years and had to show my American Friend. I know parking is an issue. I parked at the top and used the path to walk down. Greeted by a lovely Scottish Lady. Who said can sit inside or out but if you sit outside just come into order. She went to check if a nice table outside was free but it was not. So she suggested a lovely private table on the balcony and served us on there. Really nice of her and appreciated. Had the crab sandwich and a coke. Had this before here years ago and was just as nice as before. The weather was amazing too. Always helps and makes this place better when the sun is shining.

There wasn't enough parking available, so we had to go far away and walk. The food we ordered came too quickly - they clearly hadn't cooked it freshly, and we didn't have a chance to enjoy the drink we ordered to have before the meal. We then ordered the drinks for the main course, but they arrived after we had finished. The menu only had 5 things to choose from and wasn't very clear. I ordered a fillet which I thought was beef but turned out to be fish. I don't mind fish, but it was £24 and very small. Even after a desert, we were still hungry. I complained, but I wasn't offered a refund. The waitress only asked if I wanted to order more food. It was okay, but not worth £88 for two people.

Lovely setting and have visited several times by boat before, Tapas Tuesday , don't bother 4 dishes the size of a ramekin between 3 of us costing between £8; & £6 a dish , a tiny piece of Tortilla 6 prawns tiny pieces of Chorizo and Patatas Bravas , come on Cary arms you can do better thsn this

We had a lovely lunch. Incredible views matched with wonderful food. Linda was a brilliant host and even organised us the most amazing table sat outside to watch the dolphins. Sadly, no dolphins in the end but the food and drinks are top notch

A stunning location for a meal. But am compelled to mention a few things which we felt spoilt our day out. We are not local to Torbay, we did not know that the sign at the top of the hill detailing the car park being closed at the bottom, referred to the car park for The Cary Arms. Full contact details were given at the time of booking our lunch table, a courtesy call would of been nice to warn us of this as we were not aware of such a steep decent to the bottom to then return to the top to find a parking space. The lunch menu was disappointing with only 5 mains to choose from, no 'catch of the day' as detailed on the website lunch menu. More choice of sandwiches than main meals, would expect more fresh fish when on a coastal location. No clotted cream on the premises - really! In Devon? Our lunch out was a celebration for a friends 60th birthday, this was confirmed at the time of booking also, no mention or compliments on the special occasion for our friend. Can't really say that the lunchtime experience although pleasant, was not a 5 star occasion! Staff in need of additional training to be a little more professional with the rating you have.

Having made an on line reservation i would have thought that we would have had a reserved table in the restaurant - but no we were placed in the conservatory which had no air and a speaker above our heads, limiting our conversation . the service was fair but the food selection very poor . No choice of meat at all .. when we got to desert there Was no chalice left so we didn’t bother . Unfortunately this was not our first visit but it would be our last & I won’t be able to recommend it to anyone for fear of their disappointment .

Stopped for a refreshing drink while on the SW Coastal path. What a great place. Plenty of quiet seating areas in the gardens with fantastic views across the bay. Friendly, helpful service. Food looked good, but beware the hungry seagulls, and save some energy for the steep climb up to Babbacombe.

Great location even if the weather wasn’t perfect. We went for a drinking the afternoon but ended up staying for a while. We took advantage of the beer garden that had three levels. The bottom level allowed us a good view of the bay where we witnessed 3 seals playing around.

Nice food Pricey Excellent location, feels Mediterranean on the terrace in the sunshine

A true Riviera classic. The mix of traditional and modern styles is handled well. The Spa, although small, is very clean, everything works and has an incredible view of the bay. The Beach Hut rooms are enjoyable and well equipped with lovely views. The older parts of the hotel and cottages are simply quaint by comparison. The Inn is best enjoyed with fine weather as the terraces allow for lots of al-fresco dining and relaxation. Very dog friendly. Excellent staff.

Simply an wonderful two night stay. The room was spotlessly clean, large and particularly well appointed. Little details count and they seemed to have thought of everything and provided high quality items (from the fluffy towels through to the coffee). These touches really count! The setting is breathtaking with superb views from the hotel. The residents lounge is large a particularly comfortable. The people working in the hotel couldn't have been more helpful and accomodating they managed to be both professional and friendly. The restaurant was excellent with a good choice of food and an excellent wine list. You couldn't be closer to the beach and there are some interesting walks from the hotel. If you need to work while away (as I did) the room I stayed in had a desk, strong WiFi and lots of plugs. A perfect place to work while looking out on a seascape. Overall, was probably the best hotel that I have stayed in the UK. Don't hesitate before booking it.

We popped in for a few drinks, we were welcomed and made to feel at home despite our muddy wellies! Service was friendly. Fantastic views of the bay!

The setting is spectacular looking out over the bay. Getting there is exciting with a very steep narrow road down, and once you get there parking is limited to the separate and privately run car park at the bottom. The inside is cosy and the food was great. Our service was not top notch, but we were second sitting on a busy Easter Sunday lunch, so suspect the staff were exhausted. Didn't spoil our meal at all and would happily visit again. Oh, and dog-friendly too :)

We were a little late, due to traffic in town and this impacted on our experience as we were then unable to have the treatments at the planned time. However, Erin and her manager did their best to accommodate a later time - for this we were very grateful. The spa facilities are compact so the pool you can't really swim, unless in circles 😂 and the jets blew in cold water. The thermal shower was a shower and some of the jets did not work. However, all in all a nice relaxing massage from Erin, in a stunning location. The afternoon tea was pleasant enough, however we had to ask for the prosecco, just felt uncomfortable, but again the spa team brought us a glass to enjoy outside on the balcony.

Beach cottage shabby maintenance rubbish 😔 broken windows leaks in the conservatory roof😔loose taps in the kitchen creaky draws so far l have had no apology or explanationl find your response very rude the Cary Arms spoilt our experience of a hotel Christmas 😡still no apology or explanationl about beach cottage at Christmas it's now march how long does it take to contact me 😡

Invited by friends for dinner. Sat in the conservatory. Service efficient and discreet. Special thanks to Olivia. Made the mistake of ordering the smoked salmon starter which was drenched in a bloody Mary hollandaise sauce. When I later checked the recipe on line I would not have ordered it as it was very spicy and completely obliterated the flavour of the smoked salmon. Perhaps tone the sauce down as it was like eating tobasco straight from the bottle! A family member found the sauce served with the gammon steak to be similarly overwhelming. Otherwise, criticisms apart, everything else was well presented and enjoyable. We're looking forward to returning once the evenings are lighter.

Looked into a couple of days at this location in April, staying in a beach hut. At £680.00 for the two nights, you’ve got to be kidding. Times that price by 3 and you’ve got the price of a week away in the Mediterranean. Hospitality in the UK is always bemoaning how tough it is to survive, well here is the problem, you’re overpriced.

I only visited the spa part as a late Christmas present for my partner. We both had a lovely relaxing massage and used the spa facilities for several hours. The view from the jet pool was great and there is a relaxing area to read by the poolside. Also enjoyed the sauna and steam room facilities. Really would love to return

Came for a late lunch today at the Cary Arms with our of town family. The food was lovely, however we felt rushed and disappointed when a staff member hoovered the entire restaurant floor during our meal. As a side note, my sister needed to step outside due to the hoovering and having a headache. Just something to be aware of, particularly when the restaurant closes before the evening shift, surely cleaning can be completely during this change over time.

Great location, great food at a very good price for such a spectacular location. The staff are really accommodating and friendly. A last minute birthday booking, found us with the best reserved table in the house with two Champagne flutes. What a wonderful welcome! Returning in July for the sea food platter! ;)

Great location, great food at a very good price for such a spectacular location. The staff are really accommodating and friendly staff. A last minute birthday booking, found us with the best reserved table in the house with two Champagne flutes. What a wonderful welcome! Returning in July for the sea food platter! ;)

We had a superb lunch today. Delicious food in a wonderful setting but what really made the difference were the outstanding team of staff. We had a slight hiccup with one of the dishes and they could not have dealt with it better. A particular shout out to our superb waiter Harry.

We went there for Christmas lunch the main course of turkey was very disappointing as it was rolled turkey with stuffing inside there was more stuffing then turkey the vegetables were soggy, there wasn’t any coffee included within the three courses. Not even a Christmas theme in the restaurant. We didn’t even get any Christmas crackers. Very disappointing👎

Wow, what a place! Discovered The Cary Arms when looking for a restaurant with a sea view, the occasion being our anniversary. We both had starters and a main, both courses were spot on. The food is high quality and simply delicious. Not only was the food to an exceptional standard, but all staff were more than pleasant and made the visit extra special. We can’t wait to return again, a new favourite spot.

Staff were v/helpful Beer was Good.

Exquisite little place in an idyllic locationm

Wonderful place to stay with lots of choices of rooms and apartments to stay. They have a beautiful spa and great restaurants with plenty of drinks. Amazing views of the seas and fishing options. Overall a great experience.

Great rooms, spa, food and views. Go to place to relax for a few days no hassle. Dog friendly. Great walks.

Lovely day so dropped in for a quick drink on the terrace looking out to sea

There seems to be some shanaigans going on with the cafe closing and planning for some luxury homes I would take the opportunity to visit before it's put out of business by the local car park getting developed

I recently had the pleasure of attending the Catch & Cook event as part of the Seafood Feast, and I must say it was an experience to remember. The stunning setting added an extra touch of magic to the entire evening. Upon arrival, we were provided with rods and gear, ready to embark on our fishing adventure. My daughter was particularly thrilled to see the seals playing in the sea and swimming in the crystal clear water. It truly added a sense of wonder and excitement to the atmosphere. Although we didn't have much luck with our fishing due to the tide being out, we still had a fantastic time and managed to work up quite the appetite. The highlight of the evening was undoubtedly the mackerel prepared by the talented chef. The fish was incredibly fresh and expertly cooked, leaving us craving for more. The ambiance of the event was further enhanced by the presence of a pianist, who created a delightful musical backdrop. The candlelight, crisp linen, and attentive service added a touch of elegance to the entire experience. We were greeted with a freshly baked roll and salted butter, which was a lovely and delicious touch. The tasty warm appetizer only further heightened our anticipation for the main course. Overall, the Catch & Cook event was a delightful evening filled with beautiful surroundings, delicious seafood, and impeccable service. Despite not having the greatest luck with fishing, we still thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. I would highly recommend this experience to anyone looking for a unique and memorable dining experience by the sea.

Came for a spa and dine experience. Unfortunately the car park accepts either change or use of the app. We had no change so tried the app on the WiFi and none of us could get it to work. We weren’t the only guests to have issues with the app. When trying to get help from staff they were extremely rude and unhelpful. In the spa whilst using the facilities we were rushed to leave early and witnessed the cleaner rinsing all dirty glasses under a tap and putting them out for service the next day. Not enough fresh towels and not clean changing rooms. When trying to highlight our concerns and to suggest making guests aware to bring change for the car park we were faced with a very dismissive response. Such a shame as a beautiful location.

Superb anniversary meal with faultless service. Our dog was welcomed and given mat to lie on and bowl of water. It's been a long time since I've experienced such good service - young staff but obviously superbly trained to be efficient and friendly.

Didnt stay here but only stopped by for a coffee. But i will definitely be looking to come back and stay. Beautiful building, anazing ocean views, staff are amazing here. My mobility isnt the best and they bought out drinks to the beautiful terrace, the hotel is placed at the bottom of a steep slope and the kind staff offered a lift to the top of the hill, amazing service and i wasnt even a resident. Something i will soon remedy, beautiful

Uniquely positioned with superb views from creatively atmospheric rooms. Excellent friendly service from all staff. Good food. Always a joy to visit.

Such a gorgeous place and worth the walk down ! (Coast path was easier than main road, or you could catch cliff railway and walk across). The pub is very well presented and pretty much every table has a view. We had lovely coffee and loved the addition of homemade tasting fudge. Definitely will return for a meal.

Done the twighlight spa and dine. Everything was brilliant, we had the spa for ourselves and the dinner was delicious.

A hidden treasure, go see for yourself.

Sunday night, my inlaws,wife, and myself went for a meal. We were greeted with a smile and seated very promptly. We ordered 3 starters, 4 main courses, and 3 desserts, 1 bottle of white wine and a couple of drinks, then 4 spirits at the bar. The food was impeccable and pleasantly surprised at £195 bill. Very good value for such a lovely setting and quality of ingredients.

Love this place, always a special treat when we can afford it ❤️

Lunch. A spectacular setting overlooking Babbacombe beach. The pure definition of a hidden gem, down a steep single track road. It is a historic pub with luxurious rooms and spa. Went for lunch and sat on one of their many terraces overlooking the beach with our two dogs. Sammy's Ale Battered Brixham Fish Fingers, chunky tartare sauce. £10.50 Pan Seared Brixham Scallops, seared chorizo, pea puree, basil pesto. £13.50 The food was freshly cooked to order and was only a snack to keep us going until dinner later. We could have sat there all day with stunning views of the bay. It's well worth a visit, and if you're flush, maybe even stay here.

Beautiful setting stunning position ,wonderful food and service

We visited the Cary Arms via boat as a works trip for lunch . Our visit was made by the amazing Scottish lady who was just superb, helpful, friendly and genuinely made the impression nothing was to much trouble . Food was very good. Obviously the setting is the selling point and on a day like today I could wish to be any were else.

As locals we visited the spa and restaurant. This is our 2nd time doing the spa and dine package and both times we have been blown away by the experience. Special mention to Olivia and Leah who welcomed us and served us in the restaurant. They go above and beyond to make you feel special. Both times we've felt like royalty! It's the perfect mix of comfort and indulgence. Highly recommend. We will be back. The views are amazing, food is delicious and spa area is clean but the service and ambience really makes it.

Excellent food. I took family there and we were all happy

Having been twice before and enjoyed the beautiful view, we booked for a special occasion. We were offered a dark inside table. We chiseca table outside, the waitress forgot to take any drinks orders , the meal took almost an hour to arrive (after prompting), we had to ask for a drinks menu, the potatoes were hard, the broccoli undercooked and nobody really cared. They're living off their reputation. My advice, go for a drink ( a coke will do as the prices are ferocious), sip it for an hour, then leave.

Great view, terrible food, service and attitude. Undercooked potatoes and broccoli untrained staff.

We booked a family lunch via the website which was easy and straightforward. We were seated at a table in a small alcove with a fabulous sea view. We asked about the fish of the day and our waitress didn’t know. The place mats were dirty and the cutlery was dull and stained, clearly not a lot of effort and care was put into setting the table ready for service. I ordered the Cajun Salmon and I was served a Cajun chicken burger which wasn’t on the menu! I was offered a replacement for the right dish but as the rest of the party had their food I decided to stick with it. I wish I hadn’t as the chicken was dry and seriously overcooked. One of my companions ordered the fish of the day which was John Dory, it was over cooked and had curled up. It came with 5 very small new potatoes! As soon as I put my knife and fork down, whilst I was still chewing, our plates were cleared but all the unused cutlery was left behind. I ordered sticky toffee pudding which had a hair in it. The bathrooms had several nice touches and were clean overall, however the towels were dirty. For a famous venue which boasts 5* standards, we were disappointed. Fabulous location, but needs more care, attention and finesse

Really fantastic dinner, John Dorey and grey mullet with a superb Kentish rosé. Location great, staff excellent and a lovely quiet night on one of the moorings the pub has for visitors. Well done Cary arms!

Great dog friendly accommodation near to beach and coastal walks Lovely small hotel right on the water’s edge in a sheltered bay and close to coastal path. We stayed in the two bedroom Pebble suite with our teenage son and our dog. The entire site is well set-up for dogs, they are welcome in most areas of the hotel and the beach next door. Our dog was given a welcome pack on arrival with a couple of chews and a tennis ball. Our suite was a good size, with a spacious lounge with log burner, large master bedroom with comfortable bed, and bathroom with a shower and bath that overlooked the sea. The second bedroom was smaller, but a good size for children. There was even a small kitchen. We also had a small private garden overlooking the bay. The rooms were well fitted, clean and comfortable. There was a good selection of beers and wines to enjoy whilst sitting on the sunny terrace and the food was excellent both at breakfast and dinner. The staff are friendly and helpful; although sometimes a bit stretched at busy mealtimes, they did a great job of looking after us during our stay. Mobile phone signals are a bit weak that far down the cliff, but there is a basic wifi covering most of the hotel, although be aware it’s completely open, so you may want to add your own VPN to protect your privacy. Overall we had a great short break in the Cary Arms. It’s not cheap, but it is good value for money.

August 13th for 3 nights . To put it simply.... Fab-Ew-Lous 👍👍👍 My expectations were met & then some 😊😊😊.. until next time ..

Great place to visit sitting right on the coast ,well worth walking down to experience the beautiful scenery .

First visit back after a decade. The first visit was for our honeymoon......not even a congratulations offered. 10years on they have revamped adding an excellent spa but the customer service was off the scale. A wonderful 10year anniversary uplifted by the fantastic staff at the Cary Arms. Thank you.

Popped in with my partner and children today for a couple drinks and a fish sandwich. The lady looking after us today was so lovely. Brilliant with the children and had such a lovely nature to her. Wish I had got her name she was a credit to the place. Everyone else seemed smiley and friendly to. 👏

It's really a hotel & spa but as reported by many others the bar serves cask ales & has a terrace accessible for non residents. The beer quality was excellent & on a lovely day you would be hard pushed to find a better view Well worth a visit to experience.

Stunning location to stop for a drink while walking the South West Coast Path.

The staff here could not have been kinder. The clutch went on the car, trying to climb the hill! We had to slip back into their parking area. We had one lady in a wheelchair, so asked if we could 'take shelter' while we were waiting for the AA. Huge thank you for all your help!

An excellent visit with family, great food and friendly staff, cracking views and dog friendly 👍

Cary Arms has one of the most gorgeous spas I've been too. Though it's small, it has everything you need: pool with jets, sauna and steam room and a shower cubical for tropical showers, mist and Artic cold shower. Currently £85 for 30min treatment, time in the spa and an Afternoon tea, it's the perfect treat for the weekend.

Location excellent. Helpful knowledgable staff.

Service and meal was exceptional. Very steep walk down there though!! Had a lovely view -as I prefer to eat inside. Very friendly-but book in advance.

Absolutely beautiful location and hotel!

The Cary Arms enjoys one of the most spectacular locations in Torbay with views across Babbacombe Bay to Teignmouth and far beyond. We booked for a special birthday lunch and were mightily impressed with the efficient, friendly service and, after pre-dinner drinks on the terrace, the quality of our meals. Will definitely return.

Loved everything about it. The staff became our friends!

A friendly welcome. Generous portions of food. Well presented. Regular visits to our table to top up drinks or food. Lovely setting for our pre wedding family meal. An attractive place with balconies and flowers. But what a hill! Good way to burn off those calories!

Visited by boat for a lunch on the terrace. Kind, attentive staff and beautiful views over the ocean. Pity there is a limited menu and surprised no salads during our June heatwave!

Wow! Amazing scenery - we sat outside and watched the sunset. Incredible food - many vegan choices and what I chose (gyozas, nut roast and brownie) was excellent. Partner had sea bass and cheeseboard and highly recommended it.

Didn't go in only walked past, couldn't say how good or bad it was.... Bobby_G

The most wonderful 3 day break, staying in Seaview Cottage 5. Staff were so friendly and helpful, the cottage was immaculate and the view simply breathtaking. Highly recommend!

Very nice setting. Makes one think you're abroad somewhere. Lovely food, and a friendly service.

We had a fantastic time at The Cary Arms and were very lucky with the weather. The sky was Ibizan! The service was faultless. The staff go over and above, as demonstrated here in the photo of our dinghy being inflated and getting a good snog from one of the team. The suite worked really well for our family and the staff accommodated everything we needed for our little boys. We really enjoyed the private booking of the spa pool every day of our trip, the beautiful views of the bay and the delicious food. Thank you! 🙌🏽

Very nice stay here. Very good accomodation (in one of the “beach huts”), very good food - breakfasts and dinner - very pleasant staff.

Extremely rude and obnoxious staff we went for an anniversary meal and we're asked if we actually wanted a table despite having booked one will absolutely NOT be returning my wife was also questioned by a staff member as to what she was doing there whilst I was parking the car

So good, we're coming back for New Year! This place didn't put a foot wrong all through our week's stay. That's pretty incredible for any establishment and it's all credit to the staff and to the owners whose concept of a luxury hotel has been fulfilled here. We stayed in a Beach Hut. Don't think tiny - this place is basically a suite - although there are two big beach suites with a larger floor area. Everything was thought of: coffee maker, kettle, water bottles in the fridge, biscuits, ironing board and iron, lovely bathroom with monsoon shower, a bedroom in the mezzanine with views out of the porthole window to the sea beyond, a ceiling fan and Velux window, loungers outside, Netflix inside and a welcoming sloe gin to warm you on arrival. It's not cheap, but it feels that you are being looked after, really, really well. Great breakfast too and the evening meals are interesting and varied. Everything is well-cooked. Then finally, I mentioned the staff - friendly, well trained, informative and gently humorous. All in all, a great stay that we are looking forward to repeating.

Waited over an hour for food and then they delivered it to the wrong table

This has to be one of our favourite places to eat. The food is of the highest standard, cooked to perfection. All the staff are incredibly welcoming and friendly and accommodating. As for the setting overlooking the sea this must be one of the best views in the county, amazing with views of dolphins and Sammy the seal as an added bonus if you are lucky. Also very dog friendly.

Great food and service again at Cary Arms and will return. Lovely sitting out on the terrace on a sunny day.

Very hemmed in and car park expensive We were considering booking a few days stay but it’s not for us

We stayed here for our wedding anniversary last year, and again this year, we would definitely be rebooking. The food is amazing, as are the friendly staff. The views are amazing and a perfect place for a drink. The spa was spotless , and staff again amazing. Highly recommended.

Very homely high end boutique hotel

My best bar. Easy! You work yourself getting there on a mind bending spiral downwards. Have a fabulous few drinks with a totally epic view, and then literally have to find the strength and the balls to leave. Just a treat from all angles and you feel like you've well and truly earnt it.

Stopped by for a spot of lunch following reccomendation from our hosts. We only had a sandwich, but these were of superb quality and came with a generous portion of chips and a side salad. Though a bit chilly outside, it was worth it for the view. Although not fortunate to observe them ourselves, this is a well-known spot for seal, porpoise and dolphin spotting. So much so, there is a bell to ring to alert fellow patrons. The access by car is tricky. The incline is a 1:3 gradient. Wouldn't want to take it on in wet conditions or at the height of the season. The car park is not part of the Cary Arms. Parking charges are App based, yet reasonable.

Our first night in the area, and the restaurant was recommended, but it fell short in almost all aspects. On arrival, thankfully we had taken a cab rather than drive, down the extremely steep road, we were offered a table in the bar, extremely dark, or we could go into the conservatory, which had views of the sea. We opted for the later. It was a surprise that so few tables were set, and it becomes a theme of the evening as more tables were set as people were waiting. The menu was limited,(we should have checked a day or so before the booking, but did not). I has scallops, with chorizo, the scallops were extremely small, and disappointing. My partner had Mackerel fillets which were ok, mains scampi and chips a generous portion! I went for the fillet steak, which was extremely small and was almost covered by a field mushroom. Deserts panna cotta with fruit, no wobble of the panna cotta and the fruits were mainly cherry’s, with some red fruits, again disappointing. Would we return, sadly no, there are better places to eat, maybe not with the view but better atmosphere and better, more reasonably priced food.

Last minute booking for our Anniversary. Very pleased we found this unique location. Excellent, helpful, friendly staff who went the extra mile to make us welcome. Great Gastro Pub food with lovely ambience and views of the harbour that changes every minute. We saw a seal and a dolphin over breakfast. Highly recommend.

Meglátogattuk az öblöt és ittunk egy nagyon finom kávét náluk. A hely valami mese, gyönyörű. A kilátás, az épület káprázatos. A személyzet pedig annyira kedvesek. Ez a hely egy kincs!!!!!!!!! 5star

Brilliant location, lovely terrace gardens over looking the sea. Nice roast dinner and a lighter bite of a Ham sandwich on granary was spot on

Lovely space for the spa and very delicious evening meal

Friendly, helpful staff. Good varied menu with local products. Excellent bar choices. Correct glass with selected beers 👍. Fabulous location. Will always recommend ☝️👏👏👏

Wonderful classy spa and great views.

Gorgeous location and fabulous hotel. We stayed in the Rose cottage which was well appointed with spectacular views of Babbacombe Beach. The food was on point and the staff were warm and welcoming. Highly recommended!

We came into the Cary Arms after hiking for 15 miles, arriving around 5pm on a Sunday. The place was totally empty, apart from three staff members. We walked in not really knowing where to sit as it looked like a pub from the outside but was set up for dining in most spaces. After a couple of minutes of looking around and the staff ignoring us, we were finally ackowleged and asked to sit in a side room that had more of a pub feel (no offer to sit outside, not sure how to access that area). This room was right by the reception, so the whole time we had to listen to the receptionist taking calls. We had a drink and then left as the vibes were off. Surprised its a 5 star hotel as generally it does look quite dated and shabby. Was also surprised at the toilets - very outdated and grotty, with random stains on the ceiling. Poor attention to detail overall. I think completely fine place if it wasnt trying to charge £300 a night and claim its 5 star! Best things were the views and the nice man behind the bar who chatted to us towards the end. Generally we have found that people in Devon are exceedingly friendly, so bit of a shock to walk in somewhere and be ignored.

Wow wow and more wow ...what a beautiful place

The pub itself is lovely, lovely environment, stunny views. Made the trechorous journy down to the pub to enjoy a drink and possibly a meal. However , if you wish to eat or drink there expect the staff to look down their noses at you if you are not their type of clientèle. If you are the normal day to day hard working people just enjoying a well earned weekend away, dont bother going. Seems it matters what your bank balance is and what car you drive and certainly how you speak. Ive bever experienced rudeness from staff like this. The young gentleman behind the bar then continued to talk about us to his colleagues in full view of myself. Think some staff behaviours are taking away the beautiful setting this pub has. Also staff require extra training on people management and ensuring professionalism and friendless at the same time!!

Only ate, so can't rate the rooms, food was OK, not great, staff, in my opinion require better training, need to stop saying "no worries " (pet hate of mine) and be in uniform. Location is amazing!

We came for one night and stayed for two. I’ll list standout points: *The staff were incredible; nothing was too much. *Food was fantastic - the chef even sent out extra/replacements of an item because he felt they weren’t perfect. *The drive down the cliff is a little challenging- if you have a low wheel base car DON’T DO IT. They have a valet team and cars to take people up and down from their private car park. Just call to let them know that you’re there. *Breakfast was fabulous. Local fruit was divine. *We were in a beach hut but made use of the whole hotel, mainly the sitting room. *Roaring fires, everywhere. *We’d accidentally left our postcards behind and the reception staff phoned to say they’d post them for us. The pool is small but great and sauna is always on. *Kids are only allowed in the pool from 8-10am. You also need to advance book kids in the pool with reception. Worth noting as we saw a child and parent arrive for the pool at 9.50am and be told no (very disappointed little one). *Brilliantly clean and fresh room *Great quality towels and bedding *The view is outstanding and sunrise walks are worth it A fantastic, relaxed experience. Thank you, Cary Arms!

Spectacular ....wish i could afford a week here.

My wife and I spent a wonderful day at the spa on 10 March. The treatments were very professional and accurate. The therapist knows perfectly her job and make you feel very relaxed. We strongly recommend the place. Filippo

My husband and I visited Cary’s Arms for the first time yesterday to celebrate his birthday. We were greeted by friendly staff and shown to a window table which I had requested on my booking, though Fork online booking site. There was a bottle of wine on the table to greet us, which my sister had arranged by phone. The food was all freshly prepared and delicious, especially the scallops and chorizo. The view was great and the service friendly and efficient. I was delighted to win a spa treatment by finding the prize apricot in my pie and am looking forward to returning to try the spa. A really lovely lunch - Many Thanks Caroline

Went for dinner (non-resident): Stunning location overlooking Babbacombe Bay to Sidmouth at the bottom of a steep roadway that requires a taxi ride down or olympian endurance (which builds the appetite). Impressive wine list, short just of English sparkling wines. Local gins do get a look in. Scratch kitchen makes a mixture of crowd-pleasers done to high standards (for example, fish and chips is local haddock and chips made fresh) and high-end preparations like duck breast where the tenderness of the slices is to be remembered. Recommmended.

Excellent Welcombe, warm and friendly staff, superb food which was worth the price. Highly recommended.