 Our focus on the Torbay region as a conference destination continues with a look at Torquay’s top hotels for meetings and events – all of which offer superior facilities in elegant, relaxed surroundings, in one of the UK’s most popular tourist hotspots.
The four-star Grand Hotel occupies a prominent and commanding position on the Torquay seafront, and is ideally located within walking distance of the town’s numerous restaurants, bars and beaches. The hotel has recently completed a £1million refurbishment programme, which has seen it restored to its original glory. Further reinvestment has continued, and the splendid Gainsborough restaurant has been beautifully restored, offering award-winning cuisine in luxury surroundings. The hotel’s Devonshire Suite offers conference or meeting space for up to 300 people, and is well equipped with a good range of audio-visual presentation aids. This adaptable space can be arranged in theatre style, for an exhibition or a banquet, and the hotel offers full conference support for event organisers including a fax and photocopying service and internet access.
All the Grand Hotel’s bedrooms are en-suite, and vary from tastefully decorated standard rooms to spacious suites with stunning views across the bay. The hotel’s excellent leisure facilities include a gym, indoor and outdoor swimming pools, a Jacuzzi and outdoor tennis courts.
 More four-star service is on offer at the magnificent Barcelo Torquay Imperial Hotel, a jewel in Torquay’s hotel portfolio since it first opened in 1866. Situated on a clifftop with a perfect panoramic view over the whole of Torbay, the hotel is surrounded by five acres of beautiful gardens.
The Imperial’s adaptable conference and banqueting facilities can accommodate up to 350 delegates in a range of spaces and seating styles, and offer an impressive 400 square metres of exhibition space. The hotel has 154 luxurious bedrooms, most of which have sea views and private balconies. Guests can also enjoy full use of the fully equipped health and leisure club, and indoor and outdoor swimming pools. Perfectly laid out for a summer conference, the Imperial also features a fine barbecue terrace and outdoor tennis courts.
 Also centrally located in Torquay is the three-star Rainbow International Hotel, which offers high standards of accommodation, cuisine, entertainment and service, all within easy walking distance of the Riviera International Conference Centre, the town and the main sea front. The Rainbow’s conference suite comprises two separate facilities that can house up to 200 delegates, and 240 square metres of exhibition space.
The hotel incorporates a wide range of superb en-suite bedrooms including family suites. The Library Lounge, adjacent to reception, is an ideal place for conference delegates to break out of meetings – and a fully equipped leisure centre, plus outdoor and indoor pools, mean that delegates can unwind and keep fit all year round.
 The Livermead House Hotel occupies a splendid old building that has recently been restored to a high standard, and enlarged and modernised to offer excellent facilities for conference and business guests. This is a very friendly and welcoming hotel, with beautiful views, a seaside location and a hearty log fire. The well-appointed public rooms capture the elegance and grandeur of a former era, and its conference facilities are perfect for groups of up to 300 delegates.
The hotel’s silver service restaurant has built a reputation for its extensive menu and impressive wine list, and a good set of leisure facilities include a squash court, sauna, solarium, snooker and outdoor swimming pool.
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