Apartment 17 Abbey Sands

Very comfortable modern apartment with probably one of the best locations and panoramic view in Torquay, although the unavoidable road noise is very intrusive when using the balcony.

The pre arrival information provide by Tom was excellent and his update when the apartment was ready enabled us to arrive earlier than expected. The crockery is heavily marked (grey scratches) from use and only one covered saucepan is not ideal for a self catering apartment.

We had a very enjoyable stay at No.

17, the excellent location, sea view, and undercover secure parking make it so convenient. The apartment is spacious and not cluttered with unnecessary items which suited us well. Although perhaps appears less elegantly furnished than some we have seen, we found it actually more comfortable than many places we have stayed. The kitchen is equipment provided is limited to the basics, however we did everything we wanted to and ate in most evenings – apart from the full works at the excellent restaurant ‘The Elephant’ one night. There is inevitably some traffic noise, but very little from the restaurants below as the weather was too cool for outdoor dining. There is a good smart TV - just turn it on a while before viewing to give it time to update apps etc. We would be very happy to stay in No.17 again.

Wonderful apartment with stunning sea views.

Owner very accommodating letting us know when it was ready, which was much appreciated. Lovely balcony which we used a lot and aircon in the bedroom was handy. Two suggestions to make it even better; a dining table, even a small one, on the balcony would be useful; and a fob to access the main door (as other apartments have) would save a lot of faffing. Still an easy 5 out of 5 and would definitely return.

Eveything about this property is perfect.

The location could not be any better, private parking, a fantastic view and a short walk to the town centre. We could not have asked for anything better. The balcony was spacious and a lovely place to sit and enjoy the view or to read a book. If you want to leave the car there are plenty if buses from just across the road. We had a lovely holiday and would not hesitate to return if we were staying in Torquay.

This is a lovely apartment, well worth a stay.

The balcony is impressive with comfortable furniture and great views of the beach and sea. The communication with the property owner Tom was excellent, nothing was too much trouble, he was very helpful and friendly. He accommodated us for an early check in, as we were arriving by train, which was very much appreciated. We wish our 5 night stay could have been longer, we would highly recommend this property, and would definitely like to return again soon.

Not Quite a 5-Tick Property – Room for Improvement This property is marketed as a 5-tick accommodation, but in my experience, it falls short of that standard.

Based on my stay and comparisons with many other properties I’ve visited across Devon—some also through Sykes Cottages—I would rate this as a 4-tick property, but not more at this time. Check-In Experience On the day of check-in, Tom kindly called around midday to let me know the apartment was ready and offered early access. While appreciated, there was some confusion: initially we were told check-in was at 3pm, then a week before it was changed to 4pm via email, and on the call, Tom mentioned it’s typically 4:30pm. Since we’d planned our day around a 4pm check-in, we were in Brixham having lunch and couldn’t take full advantage of the early offer. The Positives The secure, covered car park was excellent, and the building itself felt very safe. The view from the apartment was fantastic. Housekeeping and Presentation Issues However, several aspects fell short of expectations for a premium listing: The apartment was prepared for 3 adults, but we were 4—only three towels were initially provided. Tom promptly brought an additional bath and hand towel later that day and also helped with the TV setup, which was appreciated. Unfortunately, one of the towels delivered had holes in it. Only two of the four beds had soap/shampoo provided. The glass on the patio doors and balcony banister was noticeably dirty and hadn't been cleaned recently, which detracted from the otherwise lovely view. There was no welcome or info pack, no instructions for appliances, and the back panel of the TV remote was missing. A noticeable stain was present on one set of bed linen. There were exposed wires hanging from the ceiling in several rooms. Patches on the walls had been touched up in a mismatched shade of white. The Wi-Fi code in the welcome email was incorrect (fortunately, the correct one was on the router). The email also referenced cushions in the bedroom for an egg chair that didn’t exist, and stated the balcony cushions were in a storage box—they were already out, but needed a wash. Missing Essentials and Amenities No welcome pack as provided in other properties—no tea, coffee, hand soap, or even sealed basics like sachets. No microwave or coffee machine. No hand soap at any sink, nor in cupboards. Only one full toilet roll per bathroom; one roll holder had an empty roll still hanging. The iron was dirty and stained on the base, which should have been cleaned or replaced. Kitchen splashbacks had smears and weren’t properly cleaned. The shower head hook was broken, requiring careful handling. No clear check-out instructions were provided. Other Observations The balcony receives very little sun—perhaps only an hour in the morning—so it stays cool most of the day. While not a fault of the property, it's worth noting for future guests. Heating could only be activated by contacting Tom, which felt unnecessarily inconvenient—it should be guest-controlled. Final Thoughts Rather than calling to offer early check-in, I would have preferred that Tom used that time to ensure the property was thoroughly cleaned and properly presented. The issues I encountered were not major in isolation, but collectively they impacted the overall experience. I typically stay in 4- and 5-star/tick properties, and this one, while promising, lacked the refined touches and attention to detail that distinguish a truly exceptional stay. With some additional care, better housekeeping, and a more thoughtful guest experience, this property could meet the standard it aspires to.

Lovely apartment, well equipped and stunning view.

Thoroughly enjoyed our visit with son and daughter in law. We are a disabled couple in our 70's and really appreciated the ease of getting from secure car park, and lift to ground floor.

Amazing apartment in a fantastic location, it had everything we could wish for.

Will definitely be returning.

The property was exactly as described, spotlessly claim, all the facilities one could need and a great location for access to Torquay.

Highly recommend, and we would return. Keep it up.

The apartment is in an iconic building, situated close to all amenities, but the real attraction is the magnificent view out to sea.

We had a very comfortable stay.

Perfect location on the waterfront, just seconds from the town and view from the apartment were very good.

The apartment itself was clean and modern, good kitchen space and excellent air con. The host was fabulous - he was very helpful. Will stay there again. Highly recommend. Stayed in August 2024

Had a perfect weeks stay at apartment 17.

It is equipped with everything we needed and fulfilled our expectations in every way. Our thanks to Tom who was available to help when needed.

Great apartment and Tom was very helpful.

Good sized rooms and had everything we needed.

Excellent appartement comfortable well equipped and presented.

Good proximity of indoor car park .Views wonderful Would certainly go there again R Walton

Lovely and very comfortable place!

Nice balcony with great view!