TORQUAY has topped the charts with the best hotel and service in the UK, according to tourists.

The Charterhouse Hotel in Cockington Lane was voted into first place in the TripAdvisor Travellers' Choice awards, in both the best hotel in the country and best service categories, with five other Torquay hotels making the rankings.

Les Ward, who owns the 10-bedroom Charterhouse with his wife Marion, said: "We are absolutely thrilled to get not just one but two first places, which is staggering.

"We have come a long way in the five years we have been here, and we couldn't have done it without the local tradespeople and our suppliers.

"It is great news for Devon, the English Riviera and us, and it shows Torquay isn't just about coaching holidays.

"Over the years we have seen more and more people coming back.

"This award is based on European travellers and we did get a lot of international visitors this year. The pound wasn't quite so strong and they love the Englishness."

He thanked all guests who had posted a review on them. Last year they came in fourth place in the ratings.

With a five-star traveller rating on the tourism site, visitors to the Charterhouse Hotel comment on its 'warm and genuine hospitality', 'superb' breakfasts and more.

Mr Ward said they had reinvested in the property remodelling the second floor bedrooms which had proved their best seller.

He said: "We have reinvested and we do have a fantastic location, but these awards recognise it is not just about being a palace. My wife Marion is fantastic with the guests."

Unlike other hotel honours, TripAdvisor Travellers' Choice winners are based on millions of reviews and opinions from travellers around the world.

Torquay fared extraordinarily well, with three businesses in the top 15 of the country's best hotels and three Torquay hotels in the top 10 for service.

In the best hotel category Crimdon Dene Hotel came fourth and the Cary Court Hotel 12th.

In the best service category third place went to Elmdene Hotel, and seventh to Kingsholm Hotel.