Premier Construction

Cary Arms & Spa

Cary Arms
Written by Roma Publications

Cary Arms & Spa “Inn on the Beach” Babbacombe Bay, Devon.

After a £2 million expansion the Cary Arms boutique hotel, privately owned by Peter de Savary’s wife Lana, has opened a new spa as well as six contemporary beach huts and two beach suites. Brimming with coastal charm, Cary Arms and Spa in Babbacombe Bay, South Devon, combines all the values of a classic English inn with the style and comfort of the best luxury hotels in England.

The six beach huts and two suites have floor-to-ceiling views stretching from the South Devon town of Teignmouth right along the Jurassic Coast as far as Portland Bill in Dorset. Geared for couples, they are designed to complement the existing New England style luxury bedrooms in the inn. The accommodation includes bi-fold glass doors, relaxing lounging areas and mirrors positioned at perfect viewing angles, bringing the outside in. In the huts, portholes allow for bed-based viewing from the mezzanine level bedrooms.

Cary Arms

Speaking to Premier Construction Magazine, project manager Graham Austin said: “The huts are absolutely beautiful and sit perfectly against this striking landscape. The whole site is outstanding and you really need to see the huts to appreciate the overall quality and the sensitivity to the surroundings.”

The huts are built with Cedral cladding, hand crafted zinc rooves and Canadian cedar – and the natural theme continues inside, with suede sofas, shell-filled lamps, cork stools, seaside paintings and table-top displays of lichen-encrusted slate. Luxurious touches include stylish walk-in showers, anti-mist bathroom mirrors, Cornish slate counter tops and White Company toiletries. In the living-areas are Smeg minibars, underfloor heating, feature fires and hand-crafted furnishings. From the private millboard decks with glass panels, you can relax on the sun loungers and enjoy the panoramic sea views, exotic coastal gardens and the dramatic Jurassic Coast.

The huts are decorated in a palette of marine blues or zesty oranges and limes. The larger suites have a more muted palette of soft creams, oyster greys, stone and sage greens. They have a separate bedroom and a free-standing bath in addition to a walk-in shower. The technology in the huts and suites includes motion sensor bathroom lighting, Sonos digital music systems and Wi-Fi.

Work on the project began in September 2015 and was completed in January 2017. The project also included the development of a new spa on site. The glass faceted sea-facing spa includes a waterfall hydrotherapy pool, relaxation area, steam room, sauna, exotic experience shower, gym, three treatment rooms – one being a couple’s treatment room – and changing facilities. The spa sunbathing terrace has spectacular views out to sea and is decorated with exclusive American Art illustrations from Peter de Savary’s private collection.

Cary Arms

Graham added: “We probably have the only spa in the country and possibly in Europe that has a priceless art gallery. The project is so unique and the De Savary family are a real inspiration to work for.”

The project has recently been successful in the 2017 LABC awards and won the award for the ‘Best Small Commercial Project.’ Commenting on the award win Graham said: “It is amazing to receive the recognition. To come from a local building and controls agency, it is a real privilege to even be nominated, never mind win the regional award.

“Overall the project has been absolutely amazing, with attention to detail being paramount from conception to completion. I have been in construction for over 30 years, so this is certainly a project that will always be remembered.”

Cary Arms

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Roma Publications