Premier Inn Torquay Seafront hotel — Hotel in Great Britain

If considering this hotel - stop and book elsewhere now. I have stayed in many hotels chains uk and worldwide and this is probably the worst hotel I have had the misfortune to stay in anywhere. From Staff attitude at check in and check out, to room cleanliness and not to mention the lack of parking.

Parking situation: We arrived at the hotel and wanted to park in order to check in, the car park was full even after waiting a while. There is a council car park to the rear of the hotel which has an overnight charge but you need to have individual coins for this (£5). Alternatively you can find free street parking about half a mile up the road.

Unclean Room (pictures attached) - it was very old, small and musty: Once we got checked in (in itself a sarcastic experience from a more 'experienced' member of staff) we were allocated (Room No. 112). On first entering our room it looked tired and had a musty odour. The floor was very uneven and extremely creaky. We also noticed an oily round head/hair stain on the leather headboard and immediately decided to clean it. To our disgust, on wiping the headboard the disposable wipe was full of dirt and oil. I went into the bathroom to wash my hands only to discover that the hand towel was also dirty with stains. The bathroom floor was no better than the bedroom and was uneven and creaky all over. It is obvious that the property is an old building and some quirkiness is expected, but this was a joke, even the location of the room was an indication that it was a converted broom cupboard or a storage unit. Even the lift doors of the hotel had streaks of dirt all over, and this you see on the way to the room. And they say first impression count! The mattress was old and uncomfortable and the air conditioning motors outside the window hummed all night long. Needless to say, we hardly had any sleep and could not wait to leave the premises. I mentioned my disappointment to the young receptionist on our departure to which she did not respond my and did not even ask me for anymore information or the room number. Obviously not even concerned to fix things for future guests. I would guess they perhaps hear it a lot from her attitude.

Premier inn's response: The following night we were staying at another Premier inn in Devon. We told the receptionist there about our experience in Torquay and she apologised on their behalf! She advised we to write to Premier inn customer services to explain and that they should be able to do something for us. However she omitted to tell us this needs to be done within 7 days. Their customer service response is to apologise and to remind you of the 7 days - even though I was not verbally told this !! Customer services seems keen to keep using this as their get out clause! Had I have been told this when been told to write in, then I would have done so, as I was only acting on what a member of staff had instructed me to do. I do feel we should have been informed of this, especially at the hotel in question as the receptionist herself never even acknowledge my complaint on check out or told me of any premier inn policy, despite the fact I told them standing right infront of them!!. Its insulting that customer services; as they call themselves then throw this back in your face, Obviously with pre-scripted responses. I wrote and responded to their comments back to me and yet they did nothing to try and accommodate other than to apologise for the lack of training of their staff for not advising us about the 7 day policy and still refused to over ride their original outcome. In effect, I suffered for their lack of staff training! So much for their “Good night guarantee” and hygiene standards. In the past 2 months alone I used Premier inn 4 times, 3 of which were sub standard, but this stay warranted a full complaint. I will never book a Premier inn again. Holiday inn Express offer a far cleaner, and polite experience, and even include breakfast in the price. I'll look for them wherever...

Fantastic hotel on the seafront. We always stay here but the room can be a huge hit or miss. In the new building brilliant the old part needs a refurb urgently. We stay at this hotel twice a year, every year. This year it was a complete disappointment the room is cold and cannot alter the thermostat. The bathroom has an awful smell and the floor is so filthy it beggars belief. When my husband rolled back and forth his shoe over the floor little rolls of dirt started appearing.The towel rail has no way of switching it on as there are no controls. My husband and l are tall when we sat on the loo our knees are actually against the tiled wall opposite because of the way in which it has been sited. When we went down for dinner we went to reception but it was woufully understaffed, we did however hear that the hotel was not full. Because we had a booking we went to dinner. We were served by a man not in the traditional uniform and l asked whether there was a manager for the hotel and he explained that he oversaw the whole site, so l opened out about the room. (Since then found out he is not the site manager but only the restaurant one). He hesitated and said he did not know if there were rooms available so l said there were as l overheard it. He went to reception. Sometime later we were informed that we would be moved. We have stayed here many times only once before did we get a room that was well below standard and dirty and strangely enough the rooms are close together. This is a popular hotel, my feeling is that the turnover is so high that corners are being cut and standards are slipping. The Restaurant Manager's attitude was strange to say the least. When we were eating our mains he passed our table and piped out "nearly there, keep going". Is this the correct attitude, we don't think so. Our new room in the extension is very good and clean. My feeling is that the older part needs a serious overhaul and deep clean. I see by other reviews that there are some very serious issues that need addressing. I think Premier Inn you need to consider closing the old building for a few weeks in the low season and refurbish all the rooms and corridors which are so tired. Dinner on the second night was ok until 6 lager louts where shown to a table next to us. I had to turn round several times because they were so loud. Other guests at the restaurant were looking at that because u til they came in it was a lovely evening. The worst thing was the constant swearing "f... this f.... that". We asked if we could move table we were told that it would "complicate" things for the staff as the tables had been laid out for breakfast. So now we know our place! Beefeater you need to seriously co sides what sort of customer you want. These tables of blokes on there own should be put in a different section of the restaurant as the booze runs by the buckets which ends in disaster. Buck your act...

Review of Premier Inn Torquay Seafront Hotel

Premier Inn Torquay Seafront Hotel is a great choice for a stay in Torquay, especially for those seeking a convenient location with easy access to the seaside. Situated right on the seafront promenade, the hotel offers an ideal spot for walks and visits to nearby attractions such as Torre Abbey and the harbor.

Pros: • Excellent Location: The hotel’s biggest advantage is undoubtedly its prime location. It’s within walking distance of the beach and the town center, making it very convenient for tourists. • Friendly Staff: Many guests praise the staff for being polite and helpful. The service is professional and creates a welcoming atmosphere. • Good Value for Money: Compared to other hotels in the area, Premier Inn offers a good balance between price and quality, especially for short stays. • Comfortable Beds: As with most Premier Inn hotels, the beds here are comfortable, ensuring a restful sleep.

Cons: • Dated Rooms: Some of the furniture and decor in the rooms appear worn and in need of renovation. Guests have mentioned that the interior looks tired and poorly maintained. • Parking Issues: The hotel has a limited number of parking spaces, which can be inconvenient during peak seasons. The alternative is using nearby paid public parking. • Cleanliness Concerns: There have been some complaints regarding cleanliness in the rooms and common areas. At times, cleaning seems insufficient, with a lack of attention to detail. • Poor Soundproofing: Some guests have noted that the walls are thin, and noise from neighboring rooms or hallways can be heard, potentially disturbing the stay.

Conclusion:

Premier Inn Torquay Seafront Hotel is a great option for travelers looking for a convenient location and a pleasant atmosphere at an affordable price. Despite some drawbacks, such as dated furnishings and cleanliness issues, the hotel makes up for it with its excellent location and friendly staff. For a short stay or a weekend getaway by the sea, this hotel is a solid choice, though it might not fully meet the expectations of more...