Other UK Torquay
Cary Arms & Spa
Independent pet-friendly review by Four Legged Guests · updated May 2026 · paw rating built from 3 verified guest reviews mentioning pets
Bring your dog if
- You're happy with a standard hotel-room stay where the property explicitly welcomes dogs
- You're basing yourself in Torquay / the Other UK and want a pet-friendly anchor for day trips
- The wider guest experience is strong — Agoda guests rate this 10.0/10 overall
Worth knowing
- Paw rating is based on 3 reviews — limited sample, treat as directional
- Pet fee and any size restrictions aren't published — confirm directly with the property before booking
- Shared corridors and common areas mean nervous or vocal dogs may find it harder to settle
Pet policy at a glance
- Dogs are only allowed in certain rooms upon request.
Pet-friendly summary
Paw rating: 4.5/5 — close to outstanding. Across confirmed pet-traveller reviews, Cary Arms & Spa delivers a luxury dog-friendly experience that's rare at this end of the market.
The property is a 5-star cliffside hotel and cottage cluster on Babbacombe Beach, just north of Torquay. Guests with dogs have repeatedly mentioned the practicalities that set it apart: a valet service that takes the car (useful when arriving tired with a dog after a long drive), thoughtful welcome packages in the cottages, and a sense that the staff treat the dog as part of the booking rather than an exception to be managed. Confirmed pet-travellers report dining on-site every evening, suggesting the restaurant works for dog owners — though the policy elsewhere clearly restricts dogs to specific rooms.
The strongest dog-friendly signal is the cottage suites: standalone thatched buildings with private space, BBQ areas, and sea views — the kind of layout that suits a dog needing room to settle without crossing the main hotel's corridors. Rose Cottage in particular has been called out as a pet-friendly base with plenty of room. Less suited for elderly dogs (and humans): there are steep external steps to navigate the cliffside site, and at least one cottage has no downstairs toilet.
The note of caution: dog policy is explicitly "only in certain rooms upon request" — so book early and confirm a dog room is held rather than assuming any room will do. Pricing reflects the 5-star positioning and can be cheaper via OTAs than direct.
Best suited to: dog owners booking a 5-star coastal break with capacity to plan ahead (especially Rose Cottage). Less suited to: drop-in stays, mobility-limited travellers, or dogs uncomfortable on steep external stairs. Paw-rating sample is small but consistent.
Highlights from pet-mentioning reviews
What reviewers travelling with dogs consistently noted about staying here.
- Dog-friendly cottages with sea views
- Valet parking — easy arrival with a dog
- Welcome packages in pet-friendly cottages
- Dogs allowed in restaurant areas
- Specific rooms only — book early
- Steep external steps — not ideal for older dogs
About this hotel
Cary Arms & Spa is a 5-star cliffside hotel and cottage cluster on Babbacombe Beach, just north of Torquay. The property is known for its sea-view cottages, valet service, and on-site spa. Dogs are welcomed in specific rooms by prior arrangement — early booking recommended.
