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“A boutique hotel with the charm of a British pub. The cliff top position makes for stunning views. Chic white washed rooms mix traditional features with modern simplicity. Hearty gastro-pub styled food is served at the restaurant. A glorious spa. An excellent choice for a family holiday.”

Hotel review

Romance, adventure and seaside fun are all embodied at the delightful Cary Arms, 150 years old but brilliantly updated by Peter and Lana de Savary. You’ll find ten stylish bedrooms and suites in the main building, plus three self-catering fishermen's cottages and eight fun beach huts and beach suites. The decor embodies seaside chic - the individually designed rooms have a clean fresh feel with a real New England vibe, and the rooms come with great accessories including White Company toiletries and a decanter of sloe gin to sip at your leisure. There are plenty of family friendly options, from suites that can sleep up to four to the cute self catering fishermen's cottages which offer the best of both worlds - access to all the hotel's facilities, but the freedom to do your own thing. For something really special we'd recommend the Beach huts and Beach Suites. Located right at the water's edge they offer floor to ceiling folding doors leading out to the sunbathing deck, stunning mezzanine bedrooms and huge bathrooms. With a stone walled, slate floored bar; terraces cascading to the water, excellent gastropub food with outdoor barbecue and pizza oven, a Captain’s Table on a promontory, even a transparent pod for all-weather outdoor dining, Cary Arms has all dining and drinking options well covered too. Superb location overlooking Babbacombe Bay. Quite simply great stuff.

Fiona Duncan
Fiona Duncan Review published: 26/02/2024

Recommended for

  • Total relaxation

    • Lazy days eating seafood on the terrace, followed by customised holistic treatments in the spa using Yon-Ka products.
  • Families

    • Three cottages with three, four or five rooms are ideal for families.
  • Other Activities

    • RIB rides from the beach, plus the pub has six moorings in the bay, so you can charter a boat and explore the coast.
  • Great walks

    • Jump onto the South West Coast Path National Trail spanning for 630 miles through stunning landscapes.
  • Fishing

    • The Inn provides rods for the pier and nets for fishing in rock pools.
  • Tennis

    • Head down to the village for a game of tennis on the public courts.
  • Diving

    • Crystal clear waters at Babbacombe make for ideal conditions.
  • Self catering to rent

    • As well as the main accommodation, the Cary Arms offers a good range of self catering cottages (some of which sleep up to 9)
  • Rooms with balcony/terrace

    • Many of the rooms come with patio or balcony and all of the beach huts have a private terrace
  • Pet friendly

    • Always welcome but please request.
  • Views

  • Luxury

  • Lively

  • Wedding license

  • Sit-out Terrace

  • Free wifi

  • Romantic

  • Charming

  • Wellbeing

  • Child friendly

  • Inn

  • Chic

  • Boutique

  • Sea Views

  • On the beach

  • Restaurant

  • Spa

Facilities

  • Self catering to rent

    As well as the main accommodation, the Cary Arms offers a good range of self catering cottages (some of which sleep up to 9)
  • Rooms with balcony/terrace

    Many of the rooms come with patio or balcony and all of the beach huts have a private terrace
  • Pet friendly

    Always welcome but please request.
  • Views

  • Parking

  • Wedding license

  • Massage

  • Sit-out Terrace

  • Free wifi

  • Wifi

  • Child friendly

  • Garden

  • Restaurant

  • Spa

Activities

  • Other Activities

    • RIB rides from the beach, plus the pub has six moorings in the bay, so you can charter a boat and explore the coast.
  • Great walks

    • Jump onto the South West Coast Path National Trail spanning for 630 miles through stunning landscapes.
  • Fishing

    • The Inn provides rods for the pier and nets for fishing in rock pools.
  • Tennis

    • Head down to the village for a game of tennis on the public courts.
  • Diving

    • Crystal clear waters at Babbacombe make for ideal conditions.

Map & Location

See what they say

Why do your guests love staying with you? Stunning location, Seaviews, Luxury and quirky accommodation including Sea view rooms, chic beach huts, beach suites ....and also our rental cottages. Cosy atmosphere, friendly and professional staff, Delicious food, Spa, Dog friendly. Activities incl watersports, walks. Places of interest to visit incl Greenway

What is there to do in the area? Watersports, local places of interests, local attractions, walks ...

What kind of breakfast do you offer? Devon full English Continental buffet breakfast hamper

Do you offer other meals? And can you recommend good places to eat out locally? Lunch and dinner are also available

Which are your most popular room types, and why? All of them for their different style

What facilities do you have for children and can you fit extra beds in your rooms? Children can use the hydrotherapy pool from 8-10am, lots of local activities, family fun attractions. Some rooms can accommodate a z bed. We do have 2 Family suites sleeping 2 adults and 2 children and also the five rental cottages

What message would you like to give Hotel Guru readers? The Cary Arms & Spa is unique place and experience to enjoy all year round... from the summer al fresco dining, the cosiness of the Inn, the chic accommodation to the relaxing spa & atmosphere...

Other reviews

Ultimate 100 British Hotels

"It’s defiantly kitsch downstairs, but charming, with a menu just for dogs...."

Originally published by Sunday Times

The Cool Hotel Guide

Originally published by The Times

The Cary Arms

"A delightful haven, like a setting from a Mills and Boon romance and a Famous Five adventure rolled into one."

Originally published by The Telegraph

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