[Disclosure: We were invited for a complimentary stay at the Mercure Paignton in exchange for a review on this blog]
Say Paignton or Torquay to people and the response will be mixed. Once the mecca for English holidaymakers, these beautiful British coastal resorts in Devon have had a funny old past – including becoming as synonymous with Saga holidays as swanky seaside escapes.
But I feel things have taken a bit of a turn. When I visited Torquay 20 years ago, I stayed in a dodgy B&B and there wasn’t much on offer except arcades and fish and chips (which obviously is a must at the seaside, but occasionally you want a little bit more). Neighbouring town Paignton attracted us because of the pier, but it was far from the most memorable weekend break I’d ever had.
This time, our return comes as this area, known by many as the English Riviera, seems to be having a bit of a rebirth and might have been for a few years now. As we drive along the seafront in Paignton, there’s signs of new development everywhere that signal this area is back on our agendas for holidays.
And no wonder, given the whole stretch of coastline is beautiful, full of fresh fish and an increasing number of great places to eat, and has a quintessential English seaside charm that I personally think can be as captivating as far-flung destinations and a hell of a lot easier to get to.
The fact major hotel chains have chosen Paignton as a spot to throw up some impressive buildings, no doubt adding hugely to the accommodation options already provided by some lovely independent coastal hotels and B&Bs is another sign of this area’s resurgence. The Mercure Paignton, part of the Accor Group of hotels, opened in 2023 on the site of the former Park Hotel, bringing a £30m investment to the area.
In a great spot, it brings a modern feel to the area, along with 161 more bedrooms along with a restaurant terrace and bar and a great place to explore the English Riviera. We’re no strangers to Devon, having spent many a lovely holiday in and around Salcombe, but a night here helped open our eyes to a part of the county we’ve never explored and are already planning to get back to.
What’s the Mercure Paignton hotel like?
According to the blurb, the design concept of the Mercure Paignton Hotel aims to revive the grandeur of the historic seaside resort of Paignton and blend it with a modern twist. I think it’s fair to say they’ve achieved that. The building has the same imposing stance that you’d expect from one of the big seaside hotels in resorts like this, but is clearly a 21st Century creation in design.
I suppose some might balk at it, but plenty will love it, seeing the chance to stay somewhere modern in a great location, with all the up-to-date facilities we want from a hotel in 2024.
Literally sat virtually on the sea-front, you can hear the waves and admire Paignton’s pier as you head to the entrance – soaking up the two-tier outdoor terrace and bar that is no doubt a huge pull in summer months. Inside, the open-plan lobby leads right into the bar area and Latitude restaurant, with floor-to-ceiling glass ensuring you don’t miss out on those views of the promenade, pier and beach
There’s an art deco feel to the decor that again plays on the past, but a fresh, crisp, clean and stylish feel that could have you in a city rather than one of Devon’s historic seaside resorts. A great place to sit and enjoy a drink, and the same spot that you’ll enjoy breakfast as the sun streams in with the promise of a fun day on the coast.
The hotel’s well equipped – as we’d expect. There’s no pool or spa, but a little gym with enough to keep you going, as well as plenty of seating areas so whether you want to enjoy a few drinks or get some work done, you’ve got plenty of options. They have live music sometimes, adding to the appeal, and in terms of practicality for work the hotel has great wifi and various meeting rooms.
It’s also dog-friendly which is a bonus, though you’ll have to eat in a certain area if you want to have your pooch with you. Still, a small price to pay to be able to take your four-legged friend with you.
Rooms at The Mercure Paignton
The rooms at the Mercure Paignton are spacious, well thought out and – as my mum would say – well appointed. They offer standard doubles but also upgraded ‘privlege rooms’, which are bigger and have absolutely glorious views across to the beach and coastline beyond.
More of that floor-to-ceiling glass makes sure the rooms are light and bright, with the biggest beds and television I’ve seen in a long time in a hotel room.
There are all the little touches you’d expect, from a Nespresso machine and fridge to robes and toiletries. Standard in many hotels now, but a glaring omission in the ones that don’t offer them. The bathroom doesn’t have a bath but makes up for it with a walk-in shower and – almost more importantly – great, powerful hot water at any time of day, again sometimes lacking, especially in older hotels.
As relaxing havens go, these rooms tick all the boxes, whether you want to sink into the bed for an epic sleep, or lounge by the window watching the world go by. Yes, you can work at the desk in the corner if you really want to, but I speak from experience when I say you’ll most likely get distracted by the view instead.
Breakfast at The Mercure Paignton
Breakfast is an expansive buffet, with everything from cereals and pastries to continental-style cheeses and meats, plus a hot selection. It might be nice to have the option to order dishes that are cooked to order, but as buffet breakfasts go, it’s not half bad. A nice touch is the information on when breakfast tends to be busiest, so if you’re not tied to having to get up at a certain time you can avoid any queues.
What to do around the Mercure Paignton
There’s good reason why this area has traditionally drawn people from across the country, and none of that has changed. The English Riviera remains a stunning coastline, and Paignton sits in the heart of the UNESCO Global Geopark. The town itself may have been through the same struggles as many small towns, whether on the coast or further inland, and the high street reflects ongoing torrid times economically, but that doesn’t take away from the heritage and history here.
Step outside the front door and you’ll see signs of the investment in the area, and a walk along the promenade to the pier is a reminder of why us Brits continue to flock in droves to the seaside to watch the waves, eat and ice-cream, and pour penny after penny into arcades. There’s something about the seaside, no matter where you’re from, that evokes nostalgia of times gone by, whether that’s your own childhood holidays, bucket and spade in hand, or something a bit wider in terms of our history when it comes to the coast.
Wander into Paignton and you’ll find the pretty harbour, complete with a fair few pubs and restaurants. It’s got its own zoo, too, and plenty to keep families occupied from amusements to arcades and adventure parks..
If you want to explore the local area, the South West Coast Path is literally a stone’s throw away so you can enjoy the stunning coastline. If walking isn’t your thing, there’s plenty of public transport. The hotel is just a 10-minute walk from the train station, which is on a direct route from London, and bus services as well as a steam railway will take you around the whole of this area
Our exploration took us on a wander into Torquay, which has more beaches, bars, restaurants and cafes to offer, and lovely coast path walks beyond to Babbacombe – a lovely yomp on a sunny day. There’s tonnes of history in Torquay itself – Agatha Christie lived here, for example – so you’ll find plenty to keep you interested. Or, like us, you could find a sunny spot in the harbour to just sit and take in the view and a much-welcomed blue sky day on the south coast.
If you prefer more organised fun, there’s a long list, from watersports to gin tours, a trip to Brixham or other towns along this coastline. In short – one night probably isn’t going to be enough if you want to do everything, hence us going back.
The final verdict
In a world where the focus seems to be on going to far-flung places and destinations that will look good on the ‘gram, it’s so easy to overlook what’s right in front of us. But there’s a reason this part of Devon has been top of people’s holiday lists for literally centuries, and seeing this area as glorious as it probably was back then – just in a different way – is really quite lovely.
Ask anyone what they want from a holiday and they’re likely to say pretty scenery, nice food, things to do, and a bit of history and culture, and you’ve really got it all here. Plus a stylish, modern, pretty affordable stay thanks to the Mercure Paignton.
(For more information, availability and prices, visit the Mercure Paignton website)
