Hotels in Paignton

Paignton Hotels

Sitting pretty on Devon’s east coast, Paignton is one of the main towns of the English Riviera, a stretch of glorious coastline which gets more sunshine than anywhere else in the UK. No wonder it is such a cheerful place. From the pastel-toned buildings of its city centre, to the candy-floss stalls of the pier and the dazzling blue of the sea, Paignton is the very definition of holiday spirit, and will have you smiling from the moment you arrive.

Things to see

The city centre charms with colourful buildings and a wander through the streets offers up a selection of crafty and creative boutiques, selling handicrafts, vintage clothes and beach accessories. There are also numerous relaxed restaurants and pavement cafés where you can sit and enjoy the happy buzz. Paignton Beach is the star attraction of the town. The air has that summery, salty taste; the sand is golden and the sea a shimmering blue. Children will enjoy building sandcastles while you can relax on a striped deckchair. A range of watersports is also on offer - it’s a popular surfing spot. For some entertainment, stroll along the pier, where you can use up loose change on the whirring arcade games and get a sugar-high from the pretty pink candy-floss and homemade, sticky fudge. For more family fun, take a trip to Paignton Zoo, where you can explore 6 different animal habitats and meet over 2,000 animals.

Hotels in Paignton

Paignton offers a choice of delightful, traditional seaside hotels. Most are independently-owned guesthouses, where you can enjoy views of the sea and afternoon cream teas. If you’re looking for a luxury getaway, you can choose between large resorts and boutique hotels. In the resorts, you’ll be spoilt with full spa services, swimming pools and health clubs, while the boutique hotels offer elegant rooms with superb sea views. There are many discount hotels in Paignton too. These hotels offer simple but comfortable accommodation, with amenities including tea and coffee makers and satellite TVs. Many offer a free cooked or continental breakfast.

Where to stay

Paignton’s beachfront is the ideal place to stay for a seaside holiday. There is a choice of hotels, with guesthouses ranging from boutique to budget. You’ll have plenty of local amenities, including shops, restaurants and cafés, and most of the hotels offer views of the beach and sea. For larger resort hotels and generally a wider variety of accommodation, stay in Torquay, the Riviera’s main town. It offers a choice of beaches and is still close to Paignton’s attractions. For a more secluded beach escape, try one of the charming guesthouses close to Brixham, which neighbours Paignton to the south.

How to get to Paignton

The closest main airport to Paignton is Bristol Airport, which receives flights from all over the UK and Europe. Bournemouth Airport is another possibility. From Bristol, you can take a coach or a train. Coaches run direct from the terminal; for trains, you will need to change at Bristol Temple Meads. The journey takes just over 2 hours. From London, there are direct trains to Torquay from Paddington Station. This journey takes around 3 hours. Paignton is a just short bus journey from Torquay. Alternatively, you can hire a car from the airport or arrange a direct airport shuttle service.