Prime seafront hotel within Torbay’s established resort of Paignton, Devon

• FH Price: £1,650,000 Guide Price
The Esplanade Hotel represents a substantial and well-invested seafront hotel opportunity, prominently positioned within the heart of Paignton’s bustling coastal frontage. Ideally located within close proximity to the pier, beaches, promenade and an array of town centre amenities, the property benefits from strong year-round footfall, further enhanced by significant seasonal uplift during peak tourist periods.
The hotel provides 84 ensuite letting bedrooms arranged across three principal floors, in addition to staff and management accommodation. The bedroom configuration offers a broad mix of single, double, twin and family rooms, with a number benefitting from attractive sea views, enabling the business to appeal to a wide-ranging customer base.
Extensive public areas include a well-presented restaurant accommodating approximately 120 covers, a spacious lounge with seating for 70+, and a versatile function suite also capable of hosting 120 guests. Additional guest facilities include a games room, enhancing the overall offering and encouraging longer stays and repeat custom.
Externally, the property occupies a generous plot with on-site parking for approximately 45 vehicles, a valuable asset in this location, together with a rear service and delivery area. There is also provision for external seating for 40+ covers, with scope to further enhance this space if required.
The property has been the subject of considerable investment in recent years, repositioning the business towards online travel agency (OTA) bookings and independent travellers, whilst still retaining a level of coach group trade (circa 20%), resulting in a diverse and resilient customer base.

Paignton forms part of the renowned English Riviera within Torbay, alongside Torquay and Brixham, and is one of the South West’s most established seaside resort destinations. The town benefits from a strong tourism economy, supported by its sandy beaches, traditional pier, promenade and family-oriented attractions. The property occupies a prime seafront position on Esplanade Road, within easy walking distance of Paignton Pier, the main beach, harbour and town centre amenities, including national and independent retailers, restaurants, cafés and bars. Nearby complementary operators include a range of hotels, guest houses, public houses and leisure attractions, all of which contribute to the area’s vibrant hospitality offering.
Paignton is well connected, with the mainline railway station located within a short walking distance of the property, providing direct services to Exeter, Plymouth and connections to London Paddington. The central bus station is also nearby, offering regular regional services. By road, Exeter is approximately 25 miles to the north, Plymouth circa 30 miles to the west, and Bristol approximately 90 miles to the north-east. The wider Torbay area has benefited from ongoing public and private sector investment, including regeneration of seafront areas, infrastructure improvements and continued promotion of the English Riviera as a key UK tourist destination. Trade in Paignton is notably seasonal, with a significant increase in visitor numbers during the spring and summer months, driven by domestic tourism, school holidays and events, providing operators with the opportunity to achieve strong peak-season revenues, supported by a more stable off-season trade.