Torquay and Devon Holiday Blog » Hotels Torquay

Torquay’s Top – 10 reasons (and more) for a family holiday or weekend break in Torbay!

Lara — Thu, 29 Jul 2010 13:22:03 +0000

Torbay and the English Riviera - at times – a tropical dream holiday without the long-haul flights, costly/worrisome travel, mosquitoes and other weird bitey critters and sticky nights of still and humid non-moving air (though with our recently good spell of weather the Bay is perhaps not quite so many miles from the tropical beaches of the Bahamas or deepest darkest African jungle as one might imagine!). There is certainly an equal amount of exploration/discovery opportunities in Torbay as you’d find abroad, whether it be wonderful, magical scenery or the study of the unusual habits of the local natives that you seek.

Picture it… No more whirring and clicking of slightly unbalanced ceiling fans – an aid to a good night’s sleep in those hotter climes – nor the constant whoosh of the air conditioner – great by day but both helps you to sleep at night and also wakes you up with frostbite in the early hours. No more worrying about whether you can eat the salad… whether it was washed or not – either a possibly dodgy option- nor spending hours in airports scowling and tutting at others as their kids run riot, your angels sitting quietly only after threats of being left at the airport if they don’t behave! … oh wait… 10 reasons to visit Torquay not 10 reasons not to travel abroad… I digress!…

Top reasons to visit Torquay (a big part of Torbay) – palm trees, ice cream, cream tea, beach huts, sea swims or burying Grandad in the sand, perhaps… or maybe the parks, gardens, cliff walks, sea views or beaches and coves there are to explore. With its mild climate and a sheltered Bay the possibilities for visitors and holidaymakers to Torquay and the Bay are endless, whether for a family holiday in the UK, a stop-over for cliff walkers or those in search of themed or package holidays.

Torquay’s proximity to Paignton and Brixham – themselves very picturesque and desirable holiday spots – but also to Dartmouth, Totnes, Exeter and Plymouth, mean it’s in easy reach of a number of wonderful holiday areas and the benefits of attractions and sights that make all of these places popular holiday destinations.

Now to the top ten reasons to visit Torquay… in my humble opinion:

22 miles of coastline with cliffs to walk and 19 or so beaches and coves to explore
Spectacular views across Torbay and out to sea
A palm-lined promenade for romantic evening strolls and home to the Princess Theatre for those wishing to take in a show
Pavement cafes, pubs and restaurants galore – from Pizza Express and similarly well known chains to the more Torquay based Alberts Bar, Hanburys award winning fish and chips and Aztec Bistro
An endless array of seaside activities and water sports to enjoy (surf, swim, fish, sail, hire a kayak or pedalo, go rock-pooling, build sandcastles or study the natural wildlife).
Hundreds of attractions in and around the area – Prehistoric caves at Kents Cavern, Babbacombe model village, Paignton Zoo Environmental Park, Becky Falls, Dartmoor – to mention but a few!
(Local attractions discount scheme for TLH Leisure Resort guests)
A bustling shopping centre
Busy, picturesque harbor and harbourside
Plenty of accommodation and holiday packages to suit every budget, be it a B&B, 2/3* or higher hotel or leisure resort you are after
Festivals, carnivals, fetes and fairs – including such things as Agatha Christie Festival, Torbay Carnival, Paignton regatta or Paignton Bike Festival, all events that often include spectacular fireworks and often the wonderful sight of the Red Arrows display team.

Whether to re-live fond memories of family holidays past, to build new memories with your own children on a family holiday or perhaps a romantic getaway, Spa break or other specialist break and countless holiday packages consider Torquay, it has so much to offer, any time of the year!

Torquay’s Top – 10 reasons (and more) for a family holiday or weekend break in Torbay! is a post from: Torquay and Devon Holiday Blog

Summer fun and entertainment on your holiday at TLH

Zoe — Wed, 28 Jul 2010 13:43:20 +0000

Summer is a really busy time for us here at TLH Leisure Resort in Torquay. Now the schools have broken up and we’re into the main UK family holiday season, our Summer entertainment programme is in full swing with discos, our own Team Show, visiting cabaret acts, everyone’s favourite – Kevin from KB Sounds, quiz nights and karaoke in Alberts, fancy dress competitions, talent contest for under 15’s, al fresco party night on Thursdays (weather permitting), plus plenty of daytime activities too. There’s the daily Toby Club activities, TeenZone stuff for the 10+ age group, loads of family competitions and games, wet n wild and our Summer Fun Day on Wednesdays by the outdoor pool.

We put in loads of work behind the scenes too so we can put on our best performance when we’re on stage in the Starlight Lounge.You can take a sneaky look at us here rehearsing “Play that Funky Music”

Click here to view the embedded video.

Summer fun and entertainment on your holiday at TLH is a post from: Torquay and Devon Holiday Blog

Wish upon a STAR – customer care training.

Jenny — Wed, 28 Jul 2010 08:24:16 +0000

What do we all wish for when we go on a UK holiday? Nice weather? Good Food? Comfy rooms? Lots to see and do? Attentive service?

Well, here at TLH Leisure Resort, we can’t guarantee the weather, but we can make sure that you have the best holiday you can wish for!

Our own in-house TLH STARs Customer Service training programme has gone from strength to strength over the past 18 months. It only seems like yesterday we were discussing the design of the course with our teams, yet here we are, nearly18 months later and we have just run the first batch of refresher sessions!

We wanted to make sure that our teams were motivated and enthusiastic about providing that consistently excellent customer service we are known for, even during the busy summer months. So, to make sure that we covered everything we needed, we asked staff what they wanted to be included. The feedback was amazing, with everyone supporting the idea of refresher sessions. So with comments in hand I started to design the session. Running for 2 hours I included information on product knowledge, a customer experience exercise (to get everyone thinking like a customer), how we interact with our guests, showing how much we care, teamwork, internal customers and finally those all important last impressions.

The first session was on the 29 June with the last one on 27 July. During this time there were 20 sessions being delivered to nearly 300 staff, covering all departments from kitchens, bars and restaurants to recptions, accounts, sales and marketing. I got them into the restaurant for their coffee break where they witnessed excepionally good and bad service, working in groups to identify how we can get to know our customers more and how we can demontrate good teamwork between different departments, and finally interviwing each other to find out more about different each other and people’s different roles in the business.

The feedback has been fantastic, and I love it when I hear reports from staff and guests at how everyone is putting the session into practice. It’s also nice to see staff that didn’t know each other before, chatting to each other during the day!

Customer service is so important to us here at TLH Leisure Resort that we are constantly looking at ways to improve. I hope everyone agrees that these STARs sessions have really had an impact on the service all of our guests receive. I’d like to take all the credit, but without the support, input and enthusiasm of all the staff here, the training would not have been a success.

The picture below shows some of our teams enjoying a good experience in our lovely Victoria Hotel Restaurant.

Jenny

Outstanding service in the Victoria Restaurant

Wish upon a STAR – customer care training. is a post from: Torquay and Devon Holiday Blog

3 Dishes from Kitchen to Table

Vicky — Fri, 23 Jul 2010 15:00:55 +0000

See behind the scenes at the Derwent Hotel. Meet Head Chef, Andy Johnston and find out what happens in the kitchen before your meal is presented to you at the table. A fascinating insight into the workings of a hotel kitchen.

Click here to view the embedded video.

3 Dishes from Kitchen to Table is a post from: Torquay and Devon Holiday Blog

10 great reasons to take a hotel break in Torquay this Summer

Julia — Thu, 22 Jul 2010 10:03:59 +0000

A report out today shows that with the uncertainty of recession, businesses feeling the pinch and unfavourable exchange rates, the number of Britons travelling to foreign shores in 2009 fell at its sharpest rate since the 1970s. And that looks set to continue this year.

Whilst ash clouds and air strikes may not be a cause for concern now, many people are still uncertain about what to do this Summer for a short break or holiday. So here are some excellent reasons to stay in the UK and bring the family down for a break to Torquay, the jewel in the crown of the English Riviera.

TLH Leisure Resort in Torquay provides an excellent choice of 2 and 3 star hotel accommodation, all on one site and close to the beach, the town centre.
The amazing indoor Arena Games means you don’t have to worry about the weather. With 2000 square feet crammed full of activities including 10-pin, computer games, table tennis, snooker and pool to name but a few, there’s plenty to keep all ages amused.
The indoor pool complex includes a 25m swimming pool with a freeform fun pool, toddlers pool, plus poolside sauna, steam room and Jacuzzi.
Relax on the sun terraces by the outdoor swimming pool – perfect for enjoying the Riviera sunshine.
If you fancy some holiday pampering, then step into the luxury Aztec Spa which offers a wide choice of treatments and therapies.
The daily Toby Club for 3-10’s and the TeenZone activity club for 10-15’s are perfect for energetic youngsters.
A wide choice of nightly entertainment throughout the Summer offers a choice of up to 5 venues a night, with a family venue, a ballroom dedicated to dancing for adults, and alternative venues for quiz nights, solo musicians and race nights.
Friendly and attentive staff will make you feel really welcome. This might seem like a big complex, but as a family owned business the whole team really care about their guests and go the extra step to make everyone has the best holiday ever.
Top class local attractions are near at hand if you feel like exploring out and about. As well as the beautiful South Devon coastline, pretty Cockington village with its horse-drawn carriage rides is close by. Paignton Zoo Environmental Park is a short drive away, as are the fascinating Model Village at Babbacombe and Kent’s Cavern prehistoric caves, part of the English Riviera Geopark. Furthermore, guests at TLH Leisure Resort are given a discount card offering special prices and offers at many of the local shops and attractions.
Last but not least, great value prices this Summer mean affordable family breaks, with kids under 5 staying free and 2 nights dinner, bed and breakfast costing from just £116 per adult during August.

So what are you waiting for. Take a look at the website www.tlh.co.uk, or book online now.

10 great reasons to take a hotel break in Torquay this Summer is a post from: Torquay and Devon Holiday Blog

Spray safe, stay safe…fake it with St Tropez.

Lee — Thu, 15 Jul 2010 14:54:30 +0000

St Tropez tan available at Aztec Spa

Recent reports highlight the dangers of skin cancer. Rates have been on the rise for the past few years and there are still so many people who do not take care when out in the sun.

We all want to look good when we get our bodies out for the Summer and with advances in “fake tanning” there is no need to burn your skin…fake it!

5 reasons to get a St Tropez fake tan

A St Tropez tan lasts up to 2 weeks (much longer than a tan from being out in the sun)
A St Tropez Tan takes less than 15 minutes and can easily be done after work or on the way home from shopping
You can get an all over tan in the Winter months that looks natural ready for that Christmas party or Winter event
The tan is carried out by a trained therapist in a private booth
No Smell! – The new St Tropez tan does not have the usual smell associated with fake tans ( 70% less than over the counter products)

The biggest fear most people have is that they will end up with the rather orange look sported by some well-known TV celebrities, but trust me, a moderate St Tropez tan will give a natural look.

5 Celebrities who fake it naturally (and don’t look like an Umpa Lumpa!)

Cheryl Cole
Miley Cyrus
Jennifer Aniston
Victoria Beckham
Cameron Diaz

Take advantage of our exclusive Aztec Spa offer: a full body St Tropez tan for just £20. Call 01803 400190 for more details or visit our website www.tlh.co.uk

Spray safe, stay safe…fake it with St Tropez. is a post from: Torquay and Devon Holiday Blog

A St Tropez Summer at the Aztec Spa

TLH – as seen on TV

Julia — Thu, 15 Jul 2010 08:25:53 +0000

See for yourself why TLH makes the perfect venue for a great family holidays. If you watch ITV1 in the Central TV or HTV Wales & West areas, our TV advert is being broadcast between 12 – 24 July, so watch out for it – slots include around the ITV news programmes, Loose Women and the Coronation Street Omnibus edition. Or you can preview it here – and as it says in the advert – “from relaxing time out to fun time together” TLH Leisure Resort, Torquay truly is a holiday for all the family.

Click here to view the embedded video.

TLH – as seen on TV is a post from: Torquay and Devon Holiday Blog

Zumbathon!!!

Zoe Bowden — Tue, 13 Jul 2010 09:00:34 +0000

Zumbathon… “What’s that?!” I hear you say…

We were the first in South Devon to hold Zumba® classes when we opened our Aztec Studio last November! Since then it has caught on at other gyms and Zumba® is fast becoming recognised as the latest Latin dance inspired fun work-out and trust me - it’s a lot of fun!!!

So Zumbathon… I was recently asked to co- host a three hour Zumbathon in aid of the Adoption Awareness charity. The event was held at Torbay Leisure Centre and was hosted by Paul Harrison (Paignton’s legend of fitness classes!). Starting at 2pm on a hot Saturday afternoon we Zumbered through till 5pm. Paul kicked off the event by introducing costumes, props, funky dance moves and of course a splash of comedy! Zumba® instructor Alexandra (based in Totnes) then followed with some impressive belly wiggling! I was the last instructor to host and luckily managed to keep everyone going in the heat. I did some of my favourite tracks which I personally choreographed – mixing up hip hop, salsa, pop and Asian influences.

The day was a huge success and managed to raise over £1000!!! Well done and a massive thank you to all who took part and supported me! The event was such a success it is now going to be an annual event - back next year! I hope to see some new faces then!

For more pictures and videos join me at Zumba-Torbay Zoe.

Come along and try a Zumba® class at the Aztec Studio, TLH Leisure Resort, we have some great deals on at the moment!!

Zoe
Studio Co-ordinator

Zumbathon!!! is a post from: Torquay and Devon Holiday Blog

Murder, Mystery & Mayhem on the English Riviera

Lara — Mon, 12 Jul 2010 15:10:31 +0000

Despite having grown up very much aware of the writings and characters of Agatha Christie (Miss Marple, Hercule Poirot, Tommy & Tuppence…) I realise as I come to write this blog that I never fully appreciated the extent of her achievements.

This marvelous woman has been referred to as the best-selling author of all time, selling over 2 billion books worldwide. She is well known not just for her novels and short stories but also for her plays The Mousetrap being one of her most famous.

This Torquay-born writer and dramatist lived a very full and varied life. Born in 1890 Agatha was home educated and wrote her first book from a challenge set by her sister Madge. She travelled the world and wrote many of her books during those travels, drawing from her experiences and observation of the world around her.

Christie was in fact a very accomplished musician and might have pursued a career in that rather, had it not been for her being too shy to perform. She did qualify as a dispenser which is where she got her knowledge of poisons, knowledge which is of course prominent in her works.

A note aside -for all you budding authors it’s comforting to know that Christie’s first book was rejected by 6 publishers over the course of 5 years before it was finally published.

It is because of all of this that we in Torquay, on the English Riviera, are celebrating the 120th anniversary of her birth this September, with the Agatha Christie Festival. A week full of ‘Murder, Mystery & Mayhem’.

Enjoy a cream tea, dress up in period clothes and whirl around the dance floor to the sound of live music in the grand setting of Oldway Mansion where Agatha Christie herself once danced. Explore Greenway House by night and sample wine and canapés in the house kitchen, the vintage bus will be running for a tour of ‘Mystery and Discovery’ and will run to Greenway for the Twilight Tour.

There are of course also Murder Mystery evenings happening at various venues around the Bay, including here at the Toorak hotel, TLH Leisure Resort. Join us at Torre Abbey for welcome drinks, a mini tour and then ‘Murder Most Foul!’ Then it’s across to the Toorak Hotel for 3 course dinner, concluding scene and whodunit – will you solve the mystery?

Discovery the mystery and some of the history and life of the great Queen of Crime at this fun-packed week-long festival.

Murder, Mystery & Mayhem on the English Riviera is a post from: Torquay and Devon Holiday Blog

Calendar Girls at Toorak Hotel

Nigel Beck — Mon, 12 Jul 2010 08:42:12 +0000

Well known faces were staying at the Toorak Hotel Torquay in July when some of the “Calendar Girls” part of the sell out stage show, used the Toorak Hotel, part of TLH Leisure Resort as their base for the week long production at Torquay’s Princess Theatre

Sue Holderness, (Marlene from Only fools and Horses) and Elizabeth Bennett ( Heartbeat, The Bill) enjoyed the facilities of TLH and particularly commented on the friendliness and hospitality of the staff “which makes doing a long stage tour a bit easier”.

Calendar Girls played to sell out houses all week and was a tremendous success.

The tour continues and it’s worth checking out upcoming venues as it’s a show not to be missed.

Sue is pictured with Toorak Hotel Manager Nigel Beck who commented “ we seem to be a popular choice for those appearing at the Princess Theatre and it was great having Sue and Elizabeth stay for the week. They were certainly our Miss July!”

http://www.seecalendargirls.com/

Calendar Girls at Toorak Hotel is a post from: Torquay and Devon Holiday Blog