Top Cornwall Hotels By The Sea

CARBIS BAY ESTATE, CORNWALL

WHAT’S THE BUZZ?
This family-owned hotel estate, which comprises 125 acres overlooking a sandy, Blue Flag beach, has recently undergone a huge refurbishment, adding stunning beach lodges and suites to its holiday offering.  No expense has been spared in the creation of these luxurious seaside pads: the sumptuous lodges have their own private hot tubs overlooking the ocean, sun decks, gardens and a discreet guest host, who can help arrange anything from outings and dining to bookings and travel arrangements. Gorgeous gardens surround the new buildings, so that sculptural green planting sets off the turquoise sea. Coupled with the addition of the excellent new restaurant, 1894, the Carbis Bay Estate has become a world-class coastal resort that is certainly hard to surpass anywhere in the British Isles. The owners have simply done everything possible to ensure a blissful stay, whatever time of year you might visit.

WHAT ARE THE ROOMS LIKE?
Spacious, with unbeatable sea views from floor-to-ceiling windows. Calming hues of creams and coastal blues are brought together with highest quality natural materials such wood, wool, cotton and leather by designer Jose Baker. Bang & Olufsen provides the sounds, and Perrin & Rowe the bathrooms. Roll-top baths, showers with sea views, Nespresso coffee machines.

BEST SEA VIEW?
The beach lodges and suites have been designed to make the most of the uninterrupted sea views, which can be enjoyed from the private hot tubs, balconies, bedrooms, living sun decks and roof gardens.

HOW ABOUT THE FOOD?
The hotel has a number of waterside restaurants, with the 1894 opening in 2020 as part of the new Ocean Venue development.  Here, you can experience Cornish fine-dining at its best, with delightful dishes ranging from crab with compressed watermelon, apple and baby herbs, to Creedy Carver duck with saffron potatoes, prawn dim sum and kimchi cabbage. Book your table when you book your holiday, as this popular venue gets busy. I loved having my breakfast delivered to the lodge in a hamper so we could dine on the sun deck looking out to sea, and there is room service provided by the Beach Club Restaurant too. When staying in a lodge, you can also book the lodge chef – if you and your party don’t want to leave the accommodation to eat.

ECO-CREDENTIALS?
The owners of Carbis Bay have gone all out to ensure the sustainability of their hotel, creating their own on-site electricity supply, allowing them to both power the estate and put energy back into the national grid, helping the hotel to become the AA’s Eco Hotel of the Year for 2019/2020. The pathways through the new gardens are made from recycled marine waste and the extensive sustainability policy, which can be found on the website, includes recycling, wildlife planting, using environmentally friendly cleaning products, rainwater management and usage, and electric car charging points.

HOW ACCESSIBLE IS IT?
The steep hill that the estate sits on does have some accessibility challenges, but the free car park has allocated disabled spaces and is right outside the reception area. There is a lift service from the car park level to the beach promenade and Beach Suite apartments and restaurant, and eight Beach Suites have direct lift access to the accommodation from the car park level. Within the overall estate there are also three apartment suites with disabled access.

WHAT WILL IT COST?
The Beach Lodges and Suites are the estate’s most luxurious options, and prices for a Luxury Lodge that sleeps six people start at £1,200 a night.

HOW DO I BOOK?
Call 01736 795311 or visit carbisbayhotel.co.uk.

 

BUDOCK VEAN HOTEL, MAWNAN SMITH, FALMOUTH

WHAT’S THE BUZZ?
An oasis of calm even in the busiest summer months, Budock Vean sits just outside the popular town of Falmouth on the banks of the Helford River. With extensive grounds which include beautiful gardens, a golf course and tennis courts, it’s a great place to switch off and chill. The spa has been extended and refurbished, and offers a full range of holistic treatments. Combine this with a gentle kayak up the Helford River directly from the hotel gardens and a stroll to the stunning Trebah Gardens just a few minutes away, and you have the perfect ingredients for a completely relaxing and rejuvenating weekend.

WHAT ARE THE ROOMS LIKE?
There are 56 bedrooms in the hotel, half of which have been refurbished in a clean, contemporary style with new bathrooms – these are the Signature rooms. The Standard and Superior rooms have a more traditional feel. All have flat-screen TVs, hair-dryers, telephones, tea and coffee facilities, bathrobes, slippers, a bottle of Cornish water, and the Elemis Spa range. There are also self-catering cottages in the grounds. You can’t quite see the sea from the hotel, but there are glimpses of the estuary and it’s just a few minutes’ stroll through the beautiful grounds to the banks of the river, where you can swim or paddle.

HOW ABOUT THE FOOD?
If you make a dinner reservation when booking your room you can add a four-course meal for £27, saving £19 on the usual price. Dinner at the restaurant is a traditional affair, and although there is no formal dress code, you’re asked not to wear trainers, T-shirts or shorts in the dining room, and ‘jackets for gentlemen are preferred’. There is usually live music, either a piano or a guitarist.

WHAT WILL IT COST?
Prices are given per person, rather than per room, so in low season the cost per person for a standard room is £74 per night including breakfast. The spa is incredibly popular, so it’s worth booking a treatment in advance of your stay.

HOW DO I BOOK?
Call 01326 252100 or visit budockvean.co.uk.

If you’re searching for fun for the whole family, and you’re not wanting to leave behind your beloved pooch, try out these dog-friendly hotels in Cornwall.

DRIFTWOOD, PORTSCATHO

WHAT’S THE BUZZ?
This small but perfectly formed boutique hotel on the South West Coast Path at Portscatho has its own private, sandy beach and seven acres of grounds, where native wildflowers mix with formal gardens and woodland. Independently owned, you’ll find rooms at the Driftwood ideal for families as well as rooms ideal for romantic escapes with your loved one. There’s also an award-winning restaurant, where the food is exceptional and the atmosphere laidback.

WHAT ARE THE ROOMS LIKE?
Think coastal chic – each one is individually decorated in subtle shades inspired by the hotel’s seascape surroundings. All but one of the 14 unique rooms have sea views, and some also have a decked terrace or a balcony, perfect for the sun-seekers and the stargazers. You’ll find plump pillows, king-size beds and REN toiletries, and comfort is the key word. There’s also a rustic cabin tucked away from the main hotel, which sleeps four people and looks straight out to sea. After a day of Cornwall’s fresh sea air, fall asleep to the sound of the ocean, what could be better?

HOW ABOUT THE FOOD?
Head chef Olly Pierrepont has an excellent pedigree and upholds the hotel’s philosophy of using the finest seasonal ingredients Cornwall offers. Regularly named as one of the best restaurants in Cornwall, the Driftwood restaurant boasts three AA Rosettes, and dining here is a relaxed affair. Enjoy pre-dinner drinks on the deck before perusing the menu which changes with the seasons and features the freshest Cornish produce. For hotel guests who don’t want the full dining experience, there’s an option to have a simple supper in the drawing room or on the deck. The Driftwood often runs foodie special breaks too, so keep an eye on its website for those.

WHAT WILL IT COST?
Check the website for offers, but currently rooms range from around £210 for dinner, bed and breakfast, £180 for bed and breakfast.

HOW DO I BOOK?
Call 01872 580644 or visit driftwoodhotel.co.uk.

 

THE IDLE ROCKS, ST MAWES

WHAT’S THE BUZZ?
The Idle Rocks Hotel on the Roseland Peninsula has been in business since 1900, so they know a thing or two about hospitality here. The gorgeous 19-bedroom luxury hotel overlooking the Fal Estuary is renowned for its food, elegant décor and outstanding service. Hospitality is key and the knowledgeable concierge can help organise a range of activities for your stay, from watersports, sailing, days out or spa treatments. The hotel even has its very own state-of- the-art Hidden Cinema.

WHAT ARE THE ROOMS LIKE?
All the stylish rooms at this waterside hotel are individually decorated, and feature lovely luxurious touches such as Aromatherapy Associates bath and body products, Nespresso coffee machines and Tregothnan teas, and sublimely comfortable Hypnos beds. They vary from Family Rooms to Village View rooms to Grand Seaview Rooms – all deliver classic luxury and plenty of character.

HOW ABOUT THE FOOD?
Award-winning executive head chef Dorian Janmaat returned to his home county of Cornwall in 2020 after eight years honing his craft at Raymond Blanc’s 2 Michelin-starred Le Manoir aux Quat‘ Saisons, where, for the previous three years Dorian had been head chef. At The Idle Rocks restaurant you can expect locally sourced ingredients in inspiring dishes with influences from the Far East, prepared using classic French cookery techniques. Treat yourself to a relaxing lunch, dinner, a sparkling Cornish cream tea or private dining.

WHAT WILL IT COST?
Throughout the year the Idle Rocks offers seasonal package deals, including activity and watersports weekends, theatre and events getaways, or detox and downtime breaks. Check on the hotel’s website for current offers. Rooms start from £230 per night.

HOW DO I BOOK?
Call 01326 270 270 or visit idlerocks.com.

 

TALLAND BAY HOTEL, PORTHALLOW

WHAT’S THE BUZZ?
With superb views from the large garden looking directly out to sea, the Talland Bay Hotel is much loved by those who enjoy the gentler waves offered by the south coast of Cornwall. Walking distance from a sandy beach, you can leave the car behind and spend the day swimming, rockpooling and sunbathing. With an excellent selection of activities nearby, including horse-riding, kayaking and an adventure park, it’s a great location to explore the region. The unique and quirky décor may surprise some, with a host of giant budgerigars and a zebra-striped pig adorning the lawns, but the inventiveness excels in the kitchen where the new head chef works wonders. Under his guidance, the restaurant has become one of the best places to eat in Cornwall.

WHAT ARE THE ROOMS LIKE?
Each room is unique and individual, mainly traditional and elegant in style. With additional suites added recently, there are large rooms, with great views of the sea or surrounding countryside. There is a four-poster bed in one room, free-standing baths in other rooms, and classic nautical stripes in another. The rooms at the front of the hotel, including the Superior Sea View rooms, have large windows that overlook the front lawns and down to the ocean. The garden suites sit behind the hotel, and are great for families, and generally look out onto the garden.

HOW ABOUT THE FOOD?
If you stay here – and even if you don’t – you must eat in the restaurant. There is casual dining in the conservatory, but where the new head chef really shines is in the fine dining area. Here I ate a superb meal starting with a few inventive and delicious hors d’oeuvres, including a mini-mouthful of his take on fish and chips, followed by a fantastic local John Dory and finished with an unforgettable pear tarte tatin, served with blue cheese ice cream – one of the most delicious things I have eaten all year.

WHAT WILL IT COST?
Rooms are from £210 per night on a B&B basis.

HOW DO I BOOK?
Call 01503 272667 or visit tallandbayhotel.co.uk.

 

THE BEACH AT BUDE

WHAT’S THE BUZZ?
The terrace of this vibrant little boutique hotel is one of the town’s most popular places to watch the sunset, usually with a cocktail or two in the buzzing bar. The dreamy view across to Summerleaze Beach is enjoyed by locals and visitors alike, and there is often a celebratory atmosphere as the sun goes down.

WHAT ARE THE ROOMS LIKE?
As an old Victorian building the 16 rooms are not uniform shapes and sizes so you can expect individual character and charm. They are decorated in a contemporary New England style, with oak furniture, Lloyd Loom chairs, Vi-Spring beds and goose- or duck-feather pillows and duvets. There are five types of room, Superior and Deluxe have sea-view terraces or balconies, while family-friendly Suites have their own outdoor seating area and a kitchenette. There are also separate Beach Apartments which you can book.

HOW ABOUT THE FOOD?
The Beach at Bude’s head chef Jamie Coleman has previously worked with Gordon Ramsay, Michael Caines and Mark Dodson, and offers an accessible and delicious menu that includes Cornish ingredients, sharing plates, good vegetarian and vegan options, and a more informal terrace and bar menu as well. From time to time the restaurant also runs dining events, such as special wine tasting menus – see the hotel’s website for details.

WHAT WILL IT COST?
Prices start at £125 including breakfast, based on two people sharing a double room. Until 31 March 2022 there is a 20% discount offer if you book up to 72 hours prior to arrival, 20% off Sunday nights, 20% off stays of 2 nights or more Monday to Thursday, and 20% off stays of 3 nights or more.

HOW DO I BOOK?
Call 01288 389800 or visit thebeachatbude.co.uk.

 

THE HEADLAND HOTEL & SPA, NEWQUAY

WHAT’S THE BUZZ?
The imposing nature of this red-brick Victorian building belies the relaxed welcome this five-star hotel offers. Dog-friendly, child-friendly, surfer-friendly and family-friendly, it has something for everyone, with enough space and careful attention to ensure this doesn’t mean a compromise. With a luxury spa, two restaurants, a great surf club with excellent teachers and children’s entertainment, it’s perfect for multi-generational gatherings. Renowned for its stunning location on a private peninsula jutting into the Atlantic Ocean, the hotel attracts visitors from all over the world. With Fistral Beach just five minutes’ walk away, it’s in the ideal position to offer sand and surf holidays throughout the year. The Aqua Club multi-million-pound leisure complex offers five pools, (25m training pool, a hydrotherapy pool, and a children’s pool for families staying at The Headland) a sun terrace with sea views, and a new restaurant called The Deck. Outside, a heated infinity pool will offer more of a relaxed spa space, away from the busy main complex.

WHAT ARE THE ROOMS LIKE?
With 95 rooms to choose from, there are lots of options. Some reflect the Victorian architecture, with four-poster beds and roll-top baths and black and white bathroom tiles, others are much more contemporary. Make your choice when booking. There are also 39 self-catering cottages nestled alongside the hotel, with the same great sea views and access to hotel facilities. These are decorated in a New England style, with sea-blue wooden shutters and linen furnishings. Located on a peninsula, there are sea views from three sides of the building. Some of the Best rooms and suites have private balconies or bay windows. There are cosy rooms that are internal to the building, available at a lower rate, so if it’s the sea views you are after, don’t book these.

HOW ABOUT THE FOOD?
You can eat at the double AA Rosette Samphire Restaurant and at the less formal Terrace. Service is excellent and they offer a good vegan menu, along with more a traditional Sunday lunch. Their dessert menu is a delight, and I had an amazing gin and tonic jelly, with lime parfait, lime and coriander biscotti. My companions were equally delighted with their pina colada panna cotta and rose macarons, raspberry, lychee and Turkish delight concoction.

WHAT WILL IT COST?
Rooms cost from £140 per night, including breakfast, based on two people sharing.

HOW DO I BOOK?
Call 01637 872211 or visit headlandhotel.co.uk.

 

THE LUGGER, PORTLOE, ROSELAND PENINSULA

WHAT’S THE BUZZ?
This picture-perfect boutique hotel is a delight on so many levels. Off the beaten track, you travel down winding lanes past flower-covered Cornish hedges until you arrive at the tiny harbour of Portloe. Sitting on the slipway, directly overlooking the water sits a 17th-century inn that now houses the 24-bedroom hotel. The clean, modern style of the interior complements the traditional location, allowing the views to shine. I couldn’t help grinning the moment I arrived – the view to the bay, framed by green hills, is a salve to the soul and completely irresistible. This unspoilt fishing village in the Roseland Peninsula offers a sanctuary away from the busy world. Here you can sit on the terrace and listen to the sea lap against the harbour wall, take a scenic walk along the coast path and enjoy seafood directly from the small fishing boats that anchor next to the hotel’s kitchen door. A little bit of heaven.

WHAT ARE THE ROOMS LIKE?
Stylish, with splashes of colour on a white backdrop, all of the rooms have en suite bathrooms with deep baths and a deluge shower. The hotel also has three gorgeous self-catering cottages with great sea views – two of them would be the ideal hideaway for honeymooning couples and the third sleeps six people, if you want a family holiday. The best sea views are from the superior sea view hotel bedrooms and the self-catering cottages.

HOW ABOUT THE FOOD?
The two AA Rosette restaurant has stunning views overlooking the sea and harbour, but if the sun is shining then sit outside on the terrace! We enjoyed a delicious Fowey mussel chowder with pickled fennel, kale and a Champagne fish cream, and scallops in pea purèe. The fish mains were brought in from the boat that we could see anchored in the harbour that day. They also have an extensive and carefully chosen wine list, so you can arrive at the hotel and leave your car in the car park for your entire stay.

WHAT WILL IT COST?
Rooms cost from around £125 for a classic room per night on a bed and breakfast basis.

HOW DO I BOOK?
Call 01872 501322 or visit luggerhotel.co.uk.

 

THE NARE, CARNE BEACH, VERYAN-IN-ROSELAND

WHAT’S THE BUZZ?
The Nare specialises in laid-back luxury and exceptional service. Overlooking the wide, sandy expanse of Carne Beach on the Roseland Peninsula, it offers spectacular views out to sea. A family-owned five-star hotel, and known as a country house beside the sea, its welcome is second to none.

WHAT ARE THE ROOMS LIKE?
There are many luxurious rooms and suites, all of which are individually decorated. Spacious and elegant, many have sea view balconies or terraces looking across across Gerrans Bay, along with all the comfortable additions needed to completely relax, including comfy armchairs, fresh flowers, full evening turn-down service, hot water bottles in winter, shoe cleaning, daily in-house laundry, 24-hour room service and a valet. Some rooms are situated on the ground floor for easy accessibility and there are dedicated single rooms for lone travellers.

HOW ABOUT THE FOOD?
The Nare has two AA Rosette restaurants – a traditional dining room and the à la carte Quarterdeck restaurant. Both specialise in fresh, local seafood. The dining room offers a five-course table d’hôte menu that changes nightly, with classic silver service. The Quarterdeck is the less formal option, with seasonal à la carte menus and the opportunity for al fresco dining on the terrace during the summer months. There is also an extensive wine cellar with wines selected by the hotel’s owner Toby Ashworth.

WHAT WILL IT COST?
From £299 per room per night for a Country View room, rising to £449 per room per night for a Best Sea View room. Rates include full English breakfast, early morning tea and afternoon Cornish cream tea.

HOW DO I BOOK?
The Nare prefers to discuss a reservation over the phone (call 01872 501111), as each room is designed and decorated individually staff like to help you find the right one for your stay. The Reservations Office is open from 7am-11pm. However, you can also complete a booking enquiry form, or book online, on the website at narehotel.co.uk.

 

THE SCARLET, MAWGAN PORTH

WHAT’S THE BUZZ?
There are many spa hotels beside the sea in the UK, but few quite as beautiful as The Scarlet. This adult only, eco-hotel is designed around the Ayurvedic principles that the spa is influenced by. A truly unique offering, there are huge copper baths for soaking up seaweed nutrients, wooden hot tubs looking out to to the Atlantic Ocean and an outdoor natural pool, with a decking space for soaking up the sun. This really isn’t just a place to escape to, it’s also a place for healing. Free yoga classes run every morning and the staff are discreetly on hand to help create the right stay tailored to your needs.

WHAT ARE THE ROOMS LIKE?
All the rooms include some outside space, so you can be assured of sea breezes and the soothing sound of the waves on your stay at The Scarlet. The deep coastal colour palette is inspired by local wildflowers, rockpools and sea moss. Rooms vary in size from Just Right to Indulgent (and there are twin options), toiletries are organic and locally made, and fresh tea and coffee will be brought to you when required.

HOW ABOUT THE FOOD?
The restaurant at The Scarlet is excellent, and you will often find people having lunch in their towelling robes, having come straight from the spa below. You’ll find flavoursome slow food, sustainable seafood and seasonal vegetables, all served in serene surroundings with more of those knockout coastal views. Breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea and dinner are all on the menu here.

WHAT WILL IT COST?
The Scarlet Sunday offer runs until the end of March 2022 and costs from £310, based on two adults sharing a sea-facing Just Right room for one night. It includes a three-course Scarlet Sunday lunch for two, a 30-minute cliff-top hot tub session, use of the Scarlet Spa facilities, a three-course breakfast the following morning, and a late check-out at noon. There are loads more special offers too, see the website for the best deals.

HOW DO I BOOK?
Call 01637 861 800 or visit scarlethotel.co.uk.

 

TOLCARNE BEACH VILLAGE, NEWQUAY

WHAT’S THE BUZZ?
As you head through Newquay with its busy streets, funky shops and lively restaurants, you might not expect to find somewhere to stay right on the beach with uninterrupted views out to sea. Have faith. Turn off, hairpin downhill and you will soon understand why Tolcarne Beach Village is a truly magical coastal stay. Now revealed beneath cliffs is a pretty white hotel spread behind Tolcarne Beach. A £2.5m investment in 2018 refurbished the place and introduced The Colonial, an airy dining hall that nods to a bygone Caribbean, all white rattan furnishings and fans phut-phutting overhead. It’s lovely, as are an activity provider on the beach and smiley staff. But it’s that stellar location that really makes the heart beat faster.

WHAT ARE THE ROOMS LIKE?
Terrific, but which to choose? Beach Cabins squeeze in a double bed and a tiny (but functional) bathroom. But you are bang on the beach – what more do you need? If the answer is space, book a Beach House: space, boho-beach style and you’ll still walk out of the door to have sand between your toes. Self-caterers and families should go for bright apartments: vintage reproduction prints on white walls, squishy sofas and good kitchenettes. For romance book a Colonial room styled with vintage finds. Ours had kilim runners, a bamboo four-poster, antique stained glass, a rattan lounger and a pretty painted Indian wardrobe. The mood is romantic, exotic, playful. Wherever you stay, you’ll wake to shimmering sea and fall asleep to the sound of the waves.

HOW ABOUT THE FOOD?
You can kid yourself you’re in the Caribbean when you’re in The Colonial restaurant – ceiling fans whirr in the airy room, the sea winks just outside. So, no surprise that the menu features starters such as chilli squid with fresh lime mayonnaise (£8.55), followed by the likes of jerk chicken (£15.85) or curried monkfish with a tamarind and ginger sauce (£21.95). Locals rate the burgers (£12.85) and Sunday roasts. There’s plenty of competition in the Newquay area for fresh seafood, with many restaurants definitely worth a visit if you’re staying for a few days, but the sea view at The Colonial is hard to beat.

WHAT WILL IT COST?
Doubles start at a reasonable £85 a night, including breakfast.

HOW DO I BOOK?
Call 01637 872489 or visit tolcarnebeach.co.uk.

 

WATERGATE BAY HOTEL, TREVARRIAN HILL

WHAT’S THE BUZZ?
Home to many a coast Beach Clean event, and therefore well known to many of our readers already, Watergate Bay Hotel is renowned for its cool, laid-back style and stunning location. Couple this with an array of superb foodie options, from the relaxed Living Space and The Beach Hut, both overlooking the sea, to the excellent Zacry’s where executive chef Neil Haydock produces dishes to rival any other restaurant in the region, with an infinity pool, excellent surf and sea-facing hot tubs and sauna, and you have all the elements needed for a truly fantastic break by the sea. A more recent addition is Watchful Mary – a bar overlooking the sandy bay, which is just perfect for a cocktail or a party.

WHAT ARE THE ROOMS LIKE?
Absolutely gorgeous! Natural textures of wood, stone, rattan, wool and cotton combine with a contemporary luxury and subtle, but strong, colour combinations of mustard and blues. And of course, many have magnificent sea views.

HOW ABOUT THE FOOD?
There are many dining options at the hotel, all of them superb, and offering a different experience. Zacry’s serves contemporary cuisine in a relaxed brassiere-style setting. The mouth-watering menu draws on the finest ingredients to create a cosmopolitan offer where Cornish crab and the hotel’s own hickory smoked salmon, local coastal strawberries and pickled blackberries sit alongside figs, pomegranates and burrata from further afield (£39 for two courses, £45 for three). In The Living Room, try the chicken shawarma flatbread, (£10.50), followed by a pear, saffron and almond steamed pudding with Treleavens pistachio ice cream for a reasonable £6.50. At The Beach Hut, where bare, sandy feet are welcomed, you really can’t beat a bowl of moules marinière as you watch the surfers while the sun sets.

WHAT WILL IT COST?
Rooms are available from £190 for a double B&B.

HOW DO I BOOK?
Call 01637 860543 or visit watergatebay.co.uk.

 

WANDERLUST BREAK AT BEDRUTHAN HOTEL & SPA AND THE SCARLET, CORNWALL

WHAT’S THE BUZZ?
For the first time these two hotels are offering a combined break, where you can benefit from the best of each, at a much-reduced price. Sited just 100 yards from each other, both The Scarlet adult-only eco hotel and the larger 101-roomed Bedruthan Hotel are owned by the same three sisters, Debbie Wakefield, Emma Stratton and Rebecca Whittington. Although both share the same ethos, the atmosphere and offerings at each are different. With the Wanderlust break, you stay at the Bedruthan, but still access the spa, restaurant and yoga classes at the often fully booked Scarlet. The break also includes the two elements I love the most from each hotel: a glass of fizz in the hot tubs overlooking the Atlantic at the Scarlet, and a session in the gorgeous spa garden at the Bedruthan. As well as breakfast, you also have a three-course dinner at each of the hotel’s superb restaurants.

WHAT ARE THE ROOMS LIKE?
The rooms at the Bedruthan, where you stay, are light and contemporary, with natural materials such as tiles, wood and bamboo, set against white walls, counterbalanced with flashes of bright colour from patterned textiles and feature walls. All the rooms have sustainable toiletries, flat screen digital TV, DVD player and complimentary Wi-Fi.

HOW ABOUT THE FOOD?
The Herring, at the Bedruthan, offers an experimental menu, combining interesting flavours to create unique dishes. I the idea of having a small portion of each of the four starters, sharing tapas-style, as way to begin your meal. The roasted fig with blue cheese was a particular favourite. Mains usually include one meat, one fish and one vegetarian dish, and the halibut with saffron risotto and shellfish was divine. The combination of ginger and blackberry, thyme and honey in the ice cream sandwich dessert (pictured) worked perfectly and is a dish I still think about months later… Breakfast is served in the Wild Café, although you can, as I did, have a breakfast of fresh croissants, fruit salad and homemade muffins, sent up to your room. The restaurant at the Scarlet is both stylish and sophisticated, utilising Cornish produce to create a contemporary menu. Starters include squid ink linguine with crab, Cornish seaweed, chilli and parmesan and for main I enjoyed delicious line-caught sea bass with potato terrine, purple sprouting broccoli and warm brown shrimps. Three-course meals in both hotels are included in the break price, but normally cost £40/£45 a head.

WHAT WILL IT COST?
Prices start from £485 for a two-night Wanderlust break, based on two people sharing a non-sea view double or twin room, £595 for summer bookings.

HOW DO I BOOK?
Call 01637 860860, email [email protected] or visit bedruthan.com.

 

LEWINNICK LODGE, NEWQUAY, CORNWALL

WHAT’S THE BUZZ?
You’d be hard pushed to find a better uninterrupted sea view from any other hotel or restaurant in Cornwall. I stayed in an Oceanside room, below the restaurant, and as I watched the waves from the window I felt like I was on a ship. Reputedly once a smuggler’s den, a fisherman’s store and a private house, current owner Dan Trotter started by transforming the site into a super-stylish bar and restaurant, gradually adding bedrooms. Now, as a stunning boutique hotel that sits on the very edge of Pentire Headland with panoramic views of the Atlantic Ocean, it offers luxury breaks just outside the hustle and bustle of Newquay, but still with easy access to great surfing spots such as Fistral Beach, which is just a five-minute drive up the road.

WHAT ARE THE ROOMS LIKE?
Spacious and contemporary with free-standing baths (some of the baths have sea views) and super-king beds. Farrow & Ball colours, monsoon showers, Egyptian cotton sheets, DAB radios, Bluetooth speakers, fluffy bathrobes and Smart TVs all add to the luxurious ambience. Coffee and tea-making facilities are provided in the rooms, along with homemade biscuits. There are fantastic sea views from many of the bedrooms, but the Superior Oceanside room has a 180-degree panoramic coastal view.

HOW ABOUT THE FOOD?
The large restaurant and bar offer barista coffee and a great breakfast, which I was pleased to see included some more unusual options than the popular regulars such as a good full Cornish and Eggs Florentine. I ordered the Mexican eggs, which was a delicious, spicy combination of flatbread, eggs, chilli, avocado, cheese and sour cream. The hotel also makes its own granola and has fresh smoothies on the menu. Concentrating on local, Cornish produce, the lunch and evening menus include Fowey mussels, Cornish crab linguine with chilli, parsley, garlic and parmesan, and whatever the fishermen bring in on the day. Local suppliers are listed on the website, which is always a good sign of the provenance of the food. Starters are priced from around £6 and mains from £18, but there are also nibbles and sandwiches if you want to sit in the bar and enjoy a casual lunch while indulging in a spot of wave-watching.

HOW ACCESSIBLE IS IT?
There are two disabled parking spaces, and the bar and restaurant are on the ground floor level. There’s a lift to the bedrooms below and above, disabled toilets and wide corridors and doors for wheelchair access.

WHAT WILL IT COST?
A Storm-Watching Break, which includes two nights’ stay for two in an Oceanside double room, breakfast each morning, a three-course dinner on one evening, a bottle of fizz and two boozy hot chocolates costs from £370 (until the end of February). Rooms start at around £120 per night based on two people sharing.

HOW DO I BOOK?
Call 01637 878117 or visit lewinnicklodge.co.uk.

 

 

Explore more places to stay around our coast, check out the top hotels in Devon or pick up the latest copy of coast magazine.