The Imperial Hotel Torquay | Historic Clifftop Stay with Stunning Sea Views | December 2025

Perched high above the English Riviera, The Imperial Hotel is one of Torquay’s most iconic landmarks, and this video captures what it’s like to stay here during the quieter, atmospheric winter months. Originally opened in 1866, The Imperial was built to serve Victorian high society and has welcomed royalty, politicians and notable figures over the decades, including members of the British Royal Family. Its dramatic clifftop position was chosen for one reason above all else – the views – and even today the panoramic outlook across Torbay is genuinely breathtaking, especially in winter light. Torquay is famously the birthplace of Agatha Christie, and it’s widely believed that The Imperial Hotel helped inspire the setting for grand seaside hotels that appear in some of her novels. With its elevated position, sweeping sea views and sense of quiet elegance, it’s easy to see how the atmosphere here could have influenced her writing. While the grand exterior façade is clearly showing signs of age, weathered by sea air and time, the interior tells a different story. Inside, the hotel is well kept and elegant, with traditional lounges, comfortable rooms and a calm, old-school charm that reflects its long history without feeling neglected. Facilities include an indoor swimming pool, spa and leisure areas, restaurant and bar spaces, extensive gardens and terraces, plus the well-known outdoor pool overlooking the bay — although this was not open during our winter stay. In the colder months, the hotel feels noticeably quieter and more relaxed, making it ideal for a peaceful coastal break away from the crowds. Have you stayed at The Imperial Hotel before? What did you love about it — and was there anything you didn’t? Let me know your thoughts in the comments below 👇 If you enjoy hotel tours, historic stays and coastal travel videos, don’t forget to like, subscribe and share.