BACK in the 60s and 70s, Torbay – made up of the three seaside towns Paignton, Brixham and Torquay – was dubbed what ‘the south of France is to the West of England’.
Adverts and posters then named Torquay specifically as an ‘international resort’ and ‘the Queen of the English Riviera’.
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Today, these nicknames have stuck – with Torquay having a lot to boast about, including sprawling sandy beaches, a picturesque marina and vibrant palm trees.
And now the town has even more to boast about with the UK’s best B&B according to the AA‘s 2025 B&B Awards.
The 25 Boutique B&B is located just moments away from Torre Abbey Sands – 10 minutes’ walk to be precise.
With such a location, it is hardly surprising the venue earned the award.
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And having stayed this past weekend, I discovered exactly why so many people love The 25.
Inside the B&B, I was immediately greeted by funky interiors with every colour under the sun.
The welcoming entrance is enhanced by one of the B&B’s hosts, who was there to greet me.
Andy, alongside Julian, runs the boutique B&B, which has a choice of different bedrooms and suites to choose from – all named after local beaches.
I was headed for the Shoalstone Suite, located on the ground floor and next to a decadently decorated lounge with an honesty bar.
The suite itself was split into a lounge area and a bedroom, complete with an ensuite.
In the lounge, there was a plush sofa, TV, dressing table, bistro table, kettle and Nespresso coffee machine.
The suite had a navy theme throughout, and in keeping with the rest of the B&B, featured quirky elements like a swans head protruding from the wall (not real, of course).
Both the TVs in the lounge and the bedroom are kitted out with all you need, such as mainstream channels, Netflix and Prime Video.
However, the best thing about the lounge area was definitely the two expansive windows stretching to the ceiling allowing daylight to flood into the room.
But the room – and the rest of the suite – also had great attention to detail.
An Alexa meant you could control the lighting with ease and ask travel related queries like what the weather was like in the bay.
Hosts Julian and Andy also add a personal touch with a small treat offering, which for my stay was mint tiffin and a small jar of sweets.
As for the bedroom, this was a delight too, albeit with the slightly 2007 interiors with silver furnishings, velvet headboard and glitter feature wall.
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The large bed was by far the comfiest I have ever stayed in.
And for longer stays, there is ample storage such as a wardrobe and chest of drawers.
Inside the wardrobe I also found another treat – the softest of dressing gowns.
As far as en suites go, the Shoalstone Suite’s was pretty impressive.
A walk-in rainfall shower was complete with a TV screen – yes, you heard correctly.
I even had a moment with Jimmy Carr in the shower (by tuning into 8 out of 10 Cats Does Countdown).
Mood lighting helps you to change up the settings depending on your mood and the Elemis bathroom goodies added luxury to the whole bathroom experience.
After an amazing night’s sleep, I headed downstairs to where breakfast was served.
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Guests preorder what they want the night before, making the service swift.
But as you wait, you can grab items from the continental bar.
I opted for some fresh orange juice and a homemade green smoothie shot while other items available include fresh yoghurt, cereals and berries.
My breakfast choice was eggs royale, with a decent amount of salmon and golden oozy eggs – which were a real winner.
I could see why the AA awards said the “breakfast remains a tour de force”.
The B&B makes a great base for exploring south Devon‘s beaches and Torquay’s neighbouring towns – including Paignton, Brixham, Babbacombe and Newton Abbot.
And just down the road there is also the best fish and chip shop in the UK – Pier Point.
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In the evening, I had strolled to the chippy to test it out for myself.
While on the pricier side, the portions were generous, the batter was golden, and the chips were deliciously fluffy.
Elsewhere in Torquay, you can explore a grand harbour with extravagant boats, a Ferris wheel with great views and a theatre that often hosts top productions.
As for whether the B&B deserves the award – it is hard to say.
It was a great stay with amazing hosts and thoughtful touches – but I find it hard to believe there isn’t a B&B out there that tops its slightly dated decor and car-park views.
The B&B is adults-only and a room can be found for £287.30 for two adults for two nights (minimum stay).
Here’s more about the UK’s best fish and chip shop, which is conveniently located close to the B&B.
Plus, just a short drive away is one of the south west’s prettiest market towns, that tourists always overlook.
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