"We stayed at The Imperial for a week and overall had a very good stay, with a few caveats.
We originally booked a cosy room, but it was very small, stuffy, had no AC, and the sea-view balcony could not be opened due to renovation safety restrictions. For one night it might have been manageable, but not for a week. Reception handled it very well: within about 10 min they moved us to a much larger room. It had no balcony or sea view, but the windows opened, so we considered it an upgrade.
WiFi was patchy and mobile signal was poor, though this did not bother us much as we spent most days out or on the beach.
Breakfast was outstanding: buffet-style, from full English to continental, served in a dining room with a panoramic view over Tor Bay. That view is probably the hotel’s biggest selling point.
Staff were very helpful throughout. They even washed our beach towels daily on request, free of charge!
The interior is stunning: Victorian, historic, and full of pictures, drawings and memorabilia, including a 1945 Victory Dinner menu. A hidden gem for history lovers. The exterior, however, looks tired and is far less impressive.
The gardens and terrace are lovely, with the same fantastic bay view. The outdoor pool was closed, but the weather was excellent, so we swam in the sea instead.
Quiet, characterful hotel with superb breakfast and helpful staff. Book carefully, especially regarding room size, balcony access and lack of AC."