After a very enjoyable Easter period, I am taking a few days break in Spain before bookings start to increase during May and June. The life of a B and B owner is a seven-day-a-week way of life and after 3 to 4 weeks of bookings a break is very welcome. I am staying at a lovely hotel in Torremolinos in Spain, and (although having been at The Garway for over two years) I am picking up some useful tips as to how I can improve the experience for guests. I am planning on making a few tweaks to the breakfast buffet (there are some lovely pastries and fresh fruit choices on offer here), but also quietly smug that I am able to offer wonderful local Devon produce as part of my cooked breakfast as I must say the sausages, eggs and bacon here is no match for the flavour of the Garway cooked breakfast! 

I am realising the importance of little touches in rooms and am going to add shoe shine kits and covered paper cups to the room offerings, and keeping on top of maintenance is a priority. Its only a few small things, but in the bathroom the toilet roll holder is loose on the wall and  the silicone around the shower is mouldy and needs reapplying - it would be an easy fix, and would just be that little bit of attention to detail that guests appreciate. 

Also a note to self that next time I need to book a room with a view over the front of the hotel; I am on the street side which is great for people watching when I sitting relaxing but not so good when the catering delivery company lorry pulls up at 5.00 in the morning to unload that day's fresh produce!

Overall though, it is absolutely lovely to have the most welcoming staff imaginable, breakfast cooked for you, and to be able to sit on the restaurant terrace at mealtimes. The hotel has superb views to Malaga on the easterly side and Fuengirola to the west. Couple that with the views across the Mediterranean, I always find looking out to sea relaxing and energising - one of the reasons I love being in Torquay and being able to walk down to the Abbey gardens to look across the bay to Paignton and Brixham. There is something very special about being near water, maybe its seeing the horizon and the openness of the view, maybe just the few boats of all shapes and sizes, also the freshness of the air - all these things help put you mentally in a better place, and wanting to return to Torquay with new energy ready for the season ahead.