Whilst this is now unlikely to happen before the 2020 Summer season, Hilton is gearing up to open a Hampton by Hilton hotel in Torquay.
Situated in the town centre, as part of a long-delayed redevelopment project, this is a new-build hotel.
The generally poor state of mid-market UK coastal holiday accommodation is well known – when I visit family in Scarborough I end up in the Premier Inn, the best hotel in town – so this will be a welcome boost.
Reader Matt sent me this picture of the construction work:
and here is an image of how it will end up:
Torquay is currently undergoing a hotel renaissance of sorts. The famous Palace Hotel, where I remember going for a conference whilst a student intern at KPMG back in 1990!, is currently being demolished and will be rebuilt as a five star property by a Singaporean group. No operator has been appointed.
Until that happens, the Hampton will give you an opportunity for a UK seaside break in a brand new hotel funded by your Hilton Honors points.
The hotel website is here. It says it is due to open at the end of July but bookings are not being taken and I very much doubt that date will be hit.
PS. My review of surprisingly impressive (and fairly new) Hilton Bournemouth is here and a review of the adjacent Hampton by Hilton Bournemouth is here.
How to earn Hilton Honors points via UK credit cards
As a reminder, there are various ways of earning Hilton Honors points from UK credit cards. Many cards also have generous sign-up bonuses!
Do you know that holders of The Platinum Card from American Express receive FREE Hilton Honors Gold status for as long as they hold the card? It also comes with Marriott Bonvoy Gold, Radisson Rewards Gold, Shangri-La Golden Circle Jade and Melia Rewards Gold status. We reviewed American Express Platinum in detail here.
Click here to read our detailed summary of all UK credit cards which earn Hilton Honors points. That page is regularly updated with the latest special offers and will still be accurate even if you are reading this article months after publication.
(Want to earn more hotel points? Click here to see our complete list of promotions from the major hotel chains or use the ‘Hotel Promos’ link in the menu bar at the top of the page.)
About Head for Points
The Hampton Inn is a very impressive build, it is next door to the flat I lived in until last year. Overlooking the harbour, close to some great places to eat and drink with plenty of quality places to choose from as well as some cheap and cheaply places oh and 2 kebab shops opposite.
A brand new premier Inn is being build behind it as well.
Not really convinced that the Norwegian thing is throwing good money after bad, and there will be another crisis down the line.
If they disappeared today I doubt anyone would be taking their place for some time.
They’re not even taking their own old place back until next April!
Does anyone have any experience with downgrading the Virgin Atlantic credit card? I don’t want to pay the renewal fee, but I have a few pending refunds so don’t want to cancel the card completely and risk any problems with receiving those. If it’s possible to downgrade the card I suppose all transactions would carry over?
Can’t be done. You need to cancel the paid card and then reapply for the free card. You will be rejected due to not having a 6 month gap. You then call and say you are downgrading. New card is manually approved.
How long for boost upgrade to rewards plus card take Rob? Applied last Friday but no email as yet!
No idea. I know VM has big issues over staffing at present. A lot of bank stuff simply can’t be done from home for security reasons.
Just a warning, I’m struggling to cancel at the moment. My yearly renewal date was April 30th, but the annual fee was charged ahead of time on April 3rd. I attempted to cancel around the middle of the month but was told the fee wouldn’t be refunded as was already charged. Currently on the 3rd round of escalating to a different department.
But will Basil and Sybil run it that’s the question? And is it in Torbay or Torquay?
🙂
Torquay. Torbay is Torquay, Paignton and Brixham.
There are many million pound hotel developments happening in Torbay. Paignton will have a new Mercure currently being build, I believe next door will be a new Ibis.
Corbyn head hotel looks like another striking hotel for Torquay just approved.
on page 22 of the Norwegian slides they mention 737-800s and 737-8s
took me a minute to realise that they were trying to avoid using the word “MAX”