The Downs

Kate and Ed have a lovely Bed & Breakfast/​Hotel. The sea views are stunning and their rooms tastefully decorated, warms and cosy. There’s nothing like going to bed in a room overlooking the sea and waking up to tranquil, mesmerising, calm sea views and red cliffs. Down to breakfast where the staff will make sure your day begins well with a hearty breakfast. One last thing, the Hanbury’s Fish and Chips shop a few doors down? Is a must! The best fish ever!

The Downs is run by Kate and Ed, and occupies a beautiful spot on the seafront at Babbacoombe. I was new to the area on arrival and was stunned by the view from the bedroom window, across the Downs, a grassy area on the sea front above the cliffs. We had a balcony overlooking the Downs, the beach and right across the bay. The room was very well laid out, with a dressing table, wardrobe and a big double bed.
We had a flat screen TV, with Freeview, and an internal telephone system. Kate and Ed could be reached at any time by dialling 0, any other room could be called, and it was possible to request the ability to make outside line calls at a reasonable charge.
The shower room was small, but well laid out. The shower was exactly the same model we have at home, with great water pressure! The shower tray filled a bit during use, but cleared quickly once the shower was turned off.
We asked about evening meals, and were asked what we would like! The hotel was not busy while we stayed and so a menu had not been pre-​prepared for that night. Kate later brought us a three course menu. The hotel information said that room service was not available, but we asked if we would be allowed to take our meals back to our room to eat on the balcony. It was a beautiful sunny evening and we did not want to waste the view! Kate not only brought our meals to the balcony, but returned with drinks and a candle, later returning to clear our plates. This was probably one of the nicest evenings of our honeymoon. We had juice to start, but could have had soup, or another starter which I’m sorry to say I don’t remember. There were several main courses to choose from, including a beautiful gnocchi vegetarian dish and shepherds pie.
Kate and Ed have a supply of games that can be taken to your room to play, or played in the bar. We sat on our balcony playing Jenga. There is also a substantial bookshelf, the books can be borrowed, or swapped. A small financial contribution is requested for hardback books.
Breakfast was very well cooked, with options for a full cooked breakfast including black pudding, or just a few items. Eggs were available poached, fried, scrambled or boiled. Porridge was offered, and there was a buffet of cereals, several fruit juices, prunes, grapefruit and yoghurts. All was delicious, perfectly cooked, and our tastes — such as my husbands for tomatoes cooked to destruction — were catered for.
During the winter car parking is available outside the front of the Downes, but in the summer this area is used for the café. Instead carparking is available in the council car park right behind the hotel for a minimal charge of £2 for 24 hours.
Kate and Ed were both extremely friendly and helpful. Nothing was too much trouble. They were very knowledgeable about the building too. The terrace was built by the Singer family of sewing machine fame, for a group of sisters to live in. Each sister had an individual house and her own front door, but with interconnecting doors inside.
We loved both Babbacombe and the Downs hotel, and now just need another excuse to return.