When a B&B wins Greatest B&B within the World (Tripadvisor Travellers Alternative Awards) not simply as soon as, however two years working, it’s tough to not take discover. Couple this with a Gold award for B&B of the Yr within the nationwide Go to England Awards for Excellence, Distinctive B&B of the Yr for Nice Britain at The AA B&B Awards, and a slew of different accolades, and the document will get all of the extra spectacular.
Such are the achievements of The 25 Boutique B&B which is owned and run by Andy and Julian Banner-Worth who’re no strangers to the tourism trade having beforehand turned across the fortunes of Plas Dinas nation home resort in North Wales. Their newest enterprise, an Edwardian villa in Torquay, is a a lot smaller affair however one that’s extremely profitable. We visited to see why.
The welcome
Having parked in The 25’s free automotive park and walked up the handful of steps to the doorway, we had been warmly greeted by each Andy and Julian and given the important thing to our room, the Torre Suite, one ground up.
The room
The Torre Suite covers 30 sq. metres and was newly re-furbished in 2022 in a cool Artwork Deco type. An entrance foyer leads into a big bed room with an exceptionally snug tremendous king sized mattress, with all bedding sourced from the UK Advantageous Bedding Firm. Regardless of the renovation, the room remains to be famously residence to Frank the Zebra whose yellow sun shades have been changed with golden wings and a halo. Decadent midnight inexperienced function partitions distinction with a burnt orange bedspread and headboard (which may be backlit with temper lighting).
Additionally within the room is an attention-grabbing central mild becoming, good TV with Netflix, air-con and free WiFi, while a big, sun-filled bay window is occupied by two chairs and a espresso desk. There’s an iPad with the Kindle app that can be utilized to learn a choice of books and magazines, in addition to an Amazon Alexa Voice Assistant which lets you take heed to music or management the room’s good options.
What checked out first to be the door to a small cabinet was, in reality, a separate dressing room with a dressing desk (or work space if, like me, your work travels with you) with function lighting, one other TV, chest of drawers, hanging house, robes and slippers, ironing board and iron, a protected and some of the comprhensive and effectively laid-out visitor info folders I’ve ever come throughout.
The toilet
The toilet has a big walk-in bathe with a strong rain head, rest room TV, floor-to-ceiling heated towel rail and temper lighting.
A provide of luxurious Elemis Spa toiletries may be discovered within the rest room, in addition to Elemis pillow mist and lip balm within the bed room.
The amenities
There’s a lounge space the place you may assist your self to drinks on an honesty foundation.
At an award-winning B&B, you’d anticipate breakfast to be particular and also you gained’t be dissatisfied. There are continental choices reminiscent of Andy’s home made granola and yogurts, contemporary fruits and a smoothie shot of the day.
A full English is among the many cooked decisions, in fact, however there’s additionally scrambled egg and smoked salmon (comprised of Julian’s household recipe), kippers, the Banner-Worth beans on toast and smashed avocado served on toasted sourdough, topped with poached eggs, with or with out crispy bacon. Pictured are the complete English and Eggs Royale choices.
Meats are sourced from Prentice Butchers close by while free vary eggs come from Eggs on Legs, an area farm in Starcross simply half-hour alongside the coast.
Location
The 25 is situated only a stone’s throw from Torre Abbey and inside simple strolling distance of Torquay seafront the place quite a few eating places, bars and outlets may be discovered. Lengthen your stroll for 20 minutes or so and also you’ll attain Torquay harbour.
Different good touches
There are a variety of considerate extras which you wouldn’t anticipate from mainstream mattress and breakfasts. Company are supplied a free welcome drink on arrival which is a stunning strategy to start your keep. In your room, you’ll discover “Andy’s each day deal with” which adjustments each day, however occurred to be a home made ginger biscuit on the day of our arrival. We had been additionally given a goodie bag on our departure, containing snacks and water.
Value
The Torre Suite prices £275 per evening, together with breakfast, often with a minimal 3 evening keep.
The very best bit
The very best factor about The 25 Boutique B&B is the actually meticulous consideration to element. It’s simple to miss and take it as a right. Completely every thing has been considered, whether or not’s it’s how objects are organized when a tray is delivered to visitors, one thing so simple as having a receptacle for used teabags in your room, or how the labels on the jams all face forwards at breakfast. These may sound like tiny – dare I say, foolish – issues, however collectively they one way or the other make a distinction and set The 25 aside from the competitors.
The ultimate verdict
In lower than a decade, Julian and Andy have achieved an enormous quantity at The 25 Boutique B&B, and seemingly with unbelievable requirements and consistency. To high all of it, they just lately handed their 1,000 Tripadvisor evaluation, with all critiques – with out exception – attaining 5 stars. To one of the best of our information, no different B&B has ever achieved this and that is testomony to their laborious work and dedication.
Disclosure: Our keep was sponsored by The 25 Boutique B&B.
