Every travel guide mentions the same Paignton hotels: The Palace Hotel with its grand seafront presence, Mercure's contemporary efficiency, Queens Hotel's family-friendly pool, and Redcliffe's clifftop elegance. But savvy travelers know that sometimes the best experiences come from looking beyond the obvious choices.
The secret to a truly memorable Paignton stay isn't always found in the biggest establishments or the most prominent marketing budgets. Sometimes, it's discovered in the small details, unique experiences, and personal touches that only independent, family-run hotels can provide.
The Palace Hotel certainly makes an impression. With 140 rooms, multiple restaurants, spa facilities, and comprehensive leisure amenities, it's designed to be a destination in itself. Many guests never need to leave the property during their stay.
But here's what the brochures don't tell you: when you're one guest among hundreds, personal service becomes nearly impossible. Staff turnover is high, your room requests get lost in corporate systems, and the "five-star service" often feels more like efficient processing than genuine hospitality.
The beautiful outdoor spaces? They're shared with everyone else staying there, meaning finding a quiet moment for reflection or intimate conversation can be challenging during peak seasons.
Mercure brings international hotel chain standards to Paignton, and for many travelers, that's exactly what they want. The rooms are contemporary, the service follows established protocols, and you know exactly what to expect – because it's the same experience you'd get at any Mercure worldwide.
But this standardization comes at a cost. The local character that makes Paignton special gets filtered out through corporate guidelines. Staff are trained to provide consistent service, not to share genuine local insights or adapt to individual guest preferences.
Queens Hotel serves its purpose well as a budget-friendly family option. The indoor pool keeps children happy, the beachside location is convenient, and the prices are competitive.
However, "good enough" doesn't create memorable experiences. The institutional feel, basic amenities, and functional-rather-than-thoughtful approach mean your stay will be satisfactory but not particularly special.
Redcliffe Hotel certainly delivers on luxury and stunning views. The clifftop location is spectacular, the rooms are elegantly appointed, and the formal service standards are impeccable.
Yet this elegance can feel distant. The formal atmosphere, while professional, lacks warmth. The beautiful location, while scenic, places you apart from Paignton's vibrant town center and requires more effort to access local attractions.
While other hotels focus on size, standardization, or formality, the Great Western Hotel operates on an entirely different philosophy: genuine hospitality in an intimate setting, where unique experiences matter more than impressive statistics.
Every hotel has a bar. Most serve standard drinks with standard service. The Great Western Hotel has The Drunken Horse – and that makes all the difference.
This isn't a hotel bar that happens to serve gin; it's a carefully curated gin destination that happens to be in a hotel. Our selection focuses on premium spirits, with particular emphasis on Devon distilleries that you won't find in chain hotel bars.
But it's not just about the drinks – it's about the experience. Our staff are genuine gin enthusiasts who can guide you through tastings, explain the differences between various distillation methods, and help you discover new favorites. Try getting that level of personalized attention at the Palace Hotel's busy bar or Mercure's corporate lounge.
The Drunken Horse has become a destination for gin lovers throughout the English Riviera. Guests plan their stays around our gin events, and locals regularly visit just for the exceptional selection and knowledgeable service.
The Palace Hotel has outdoor spaces, but they're designed to accommodate hundreds of guests simultaneously. Mercure's contemporary design prioritizes efficiency over tranquility. Queens Hotel focuses on functional rather than beautiful outdoor areas.
The Great Western Hotel's gardens offer something different: genuine peace. These aren't just landscaped areas – they're living spaces that change with the seasons, providing perfect spots for morning coffee, afternoon reading, or evening gin tastings.
Our guests often tell us they've found their "secret garden" in Paignton. During busy summer months, when other hotels' public areas feel crowded and impersonal, our gardens remain an oasis of calm.
The careful plant selection means there's always something beautiful to see, whether it's spring bulbs emerging, summer flowers blooming, or autumn colors providing a spectacular backdrop for your stay.
Chain hotels design family rooms according to corporate formulas: fit the required number of beds into the space, add standard furnishings, and ensure everything meets brand guidelines.
Our cozy family room was designed by people who understand what families actually need. The layout encourages togetherness while providing individual space. The furnishings are chosen for comfort and durability. The atmosphere feels more like staying at a beloved family member's house than checking into a hotel room.
Children love the cozy atmosphere, while parents appreciate thoughtful details like adequate storage, comfortable seating areas, and quality linens that make the difference between "accommodation" and "a home away from home."
Large hotels operate on economies of scale. Boutique hotels operate on economies of attention. Here's what that means for your stay:
Personal Recognition: At large hotels, you're a room number. At the Great Western Hotel, staff know your name, remember your preferences, and take personal interest in ensuring your stay exceeds expectations.
Flexible Service: Corporate policies limit what large hotel staff can do for guests. As a family-run establishment, we can adapt to your needs, accommodate special requests, and solve problems with creativity rather than procedure manuals.
Local Expertise: Chain hotel staff are trained to provide information from corporate resources. Our recommendations come from genuine local knowledge, personal relationships with local businesses, and years of helping guests discover Paignton's hidden gems.
Authentic Character: Every room in large hotels looks similar because brand consistency is paramount. Our rooms have individual character because we believe accommodation should be memorable, not just functional.
The Palace Hotel and Queens Hotel sit directly on the seafront, which sounds ideal until you experience the noise, crowds, and limited parking that come with prime beachfront locations.
Mercure offers beach access but at the cost of being in the thick of tourist traffic year-round.
Redcliffe Hotel's clifftop location provides stunning views but isolates you from Paignton's vibrant town center.
The Great Western Hotel offers something different: accessibility without chaos. We're close enough to walk to the beach, pier, town center, and train station, yet situated in a quieter area that ensures peaceful evenings and restful nights.
This positioning means you experience the best of Paignton – easy access to all attractions – without the drawbacks that come with being in the middle of the tourist zone.
Price comparisons only tell part of the story. When you stay at the Great Western Hotel, you're not just buying accommodation – you're investing in an experience that larger establishments simply cannot provide.
Our guests return year after year, not because of loyalty programs or corporate benefits, but because they've found something special: a place where they're genuinely welcomed, where their individual needs matter, and where hospitality is personal rather than procedural.
The difference becomes apparent immediately. While other hotels process your check-in efficiently, we welcome you personally. While other hotels provide information packets, we share recommendations tailored to your interests. While other hotels follow standard procedures, we adapt to make your stay special.
The Palace Hotel can impress you with its grand facilities. Mercure can provide predictable corporate standards. Queens Hotel can offer good value family accommodation. Redcliffe Hotel can deliver formal elegance.
But can they create the kind of memories that make you eager to return? Can they provide experiences you can't get anywhere else? Can they make you feel like you've discovered something special rather than just booked a room?
The Great Western Hotel exists for exactly that purpose. We're not trying to be the biggest, the most standardized, or the most corporate. We're dedicated to being the most memorable, the most personal, and the most genuinely welcoming.
Savvy travelers know that the best experiences often come from looking beyond the obvious choices. While everyone else books the big-name hotels with the prominent marketing budgets, you could discover what genuine hospitality feels like.
Come experience The Drunken Horse gin bar that's become a destination in its own right. Relax in gardens that provide genuine tranquility. Enjoy a family room designed with real families in mind. Most importantly, discover what it feels like to be welcomed as an individual rather than processed as a guest number.
The secret to perfect Paignton stays isn't found in the biggest hotels or the most corporate brands. It's discovered in the personal touches, unique experiences, and genuine care that only a family-run boutique hotel can provide.
Book your stay at the Great Western Hotel and become part of our story. Some secrets are worth sharing – this is one of them.
