When a B&B wins Best B&B within the World (Tripadvisor Travellers Choice Awards) not simply as soon as, however two years working, it’s troublesome to not take discover. Couple this with a Gold award for B&B of the Year within the nationwide Visit England Awards for Excellence, Unique B&B of the Year for Great 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-Price 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 automobile park and walked up the handful of steps to the doorway, we have 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 Art Deco model. An entrance foyer leads into a big bed room with an exceptionally snug tremendous king sized mattress, with all bedding sourced from the UK Fine Bedding Company. Despite the renovation, the room continues to be famously dwelling to Frank the Zebra whose yellow sun shades have been changed with golden wings and a halo. Decadent midnight inexperienced characteristic partitions distinction with a burnt orange bedspread and headboard (which will be backlit with temper lighting).
Also 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 hearken 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 characteristic lighting, one other TV, chest of drawers, hanging area, robes and slippers, ironing board and iron, a protected and one of the crucial comprhensive and nicely laid-out visitor info folders I’ve ever come throughout.
The rest room
The rest room 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 will 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 received’t be disenchanted. There are continental choices reminiscent of Andy’s home made granola and yogurts, recent 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 (created from Julian’s household recipe), kippers, the Banner-Price beans on toast and smashed avocado served on toasted sourdough, topped with poached eggs, with or with out crispy bacon. Pictured are the total 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 will be discovered. Extend your stroll for 20 minutes or so and also you’ll attain Torquay harbour.
Other good touches
There are plenty of considerate extras which you wouldn’t anticipate from mainstream mattress and breakfasts. Guests are supplied a free welcome drink on arrival which is a beautiful approach to begin your keep. In your room, you’ll discover “Andy’s daily treat” which adjustments every day, however occurred to be a home made ginger biscuit on the day of our arrival. We have been additionally given a goodie bag on our departure, containing snacks and water.
Cost
The Torre Suite prices £275 per evening, together with breakfast, normally with a minimal 3 evening keep.
The finest bit
The neatest thing about The 25 Boutique B&B is the actually meticulous consideration to element. It’s simple to miss and take it without any consideration. Absolutely all the things has been considered, whether or not’s it’s how objects are organized when a tray is delivered to friends, 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 would possibly sound like tiny – dare I say, foolish – issues, however collectively they in some way make a distinction and set The 25 other than the competitors.
The closing verdict
In lower than a decade, Julian and Andy have achieved an enormous quantity at The 25 Boutique B&B, and seemingly with unimaginable requirements and consistency. To high all of it, they just lately handed their 1,000 Tripadvisor overview, with all opinions – with out exception – reaching 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.