Stayed at the Clifton. Room ok but smelt a bit musty. When unpacking suitcase at home could smell it on my clothes.

Owner seemed quite nice but kept hovering nearby and gave me the impression that she thought we would help ourselves to drinks without leaving the money in the honesty box. Coke was out of date in the bar.

Once we had paid, the owner didn't want to know us - completely the opposite of before. She simply read her paper and almost ignored us. The owner's attention was overbearing but some might like this.

Won't be staying here again I'm afraid as the owner's attention spooked us out and then changed rapidly when we were leaving.

My 86 year old mother and I had the good fortune to "discover" the Clifton at Paignton through the Paignton Town website. We travelled from near Bristol by train and found the Hotel very easy to get to from the station. My mother was getting over a nasty fall she'd had the month before so that was very useful. We discovered the bus station was also quite near the train station and from there we did excursions to Dartmouth,Totnes,Cockington and Torquay. We had a lovely day out in Brixham ,which we got to by boat from pretty Paignton harbour. I was able to persuade my mother to walk across the cliffs from Paignton to a wonderful family beach at Goodrington and get the bus back. One weekend we were fortunate enough to experience a bikers' meeting and enjoyed seeing all the stands, donkey rides etc. The weather was good, the beaches clean and attractive and there were lots of attractions of all kinds for all ages and persuasions on the English Riviera. As to The Clifton I consider it a "pearl" of a find and should we have the good fortune to find ourselves in the English Riviera again my mother and I both agree we would stay there again and again. The room we had was comfortable and well appointed. If we needed anything at all e.g. more coffee; milk etc. our requests were always dealt with in a friendly ,efficient manner by either our host or hostess. They were welcoming right from the start and couldn't have been more helpful. The lounge area was relaxing to be in ,as was the dining room and the food, both breakfasts and evening meals, was really excellent. We ate out once in Totnes in a very high class Hotel but decided it wasn't a patch on The Clifton and from then on ate in every evening. The choice was imaginative, fresh, and when possible local produce was used. It was, without exception, plentiful and very well cooked by our host. I also chose The Clifton because it was a non-smoking, vegetarian Hotel. I shall be recommending this Hotel to family and friends as very good value for money and a not to be missed experience.

The English Rivera? Give me a break!
Paignton is a seedy tourist trap. Full of greasy fast food joints or slot machine places. Did not like this town at all.
The Clfton is in a time warp. The foyer is a throwback to 1950.. Old lounges and wallpaper. The room we had was clean and airy and a good sized bathroom but it was on the 3rd floor overlooking the desperate residential backyards below.
Breakfast was ok but the lady of the house really was a fusspot and would not leave you alone. 4/10