The Cornish coast is a wonderful place to stay, with 158 miles of its 400 mile coastline designated as heritage coastline. There’s wonderful clifftop walks on the South West Coast Path, sandy beaches for families and pretty villages and bustling towns to explore. When you’re imagining a holiday in Cornwall, images of a friendly, relaxing campsite might spring to mind, or a quaint holiday cottage tucked away in a narrow side street in one of the county’s picturesque fishing villages.
Yet the county is also spoilt for choice when it comes to hotels, particularly those on the coast. Many stand in spectacular positions looking out over the sea, ideally placed for exploring some of Cornwall’s most vibrant communities. All of them offer true luxury stays, but each has their own take on exactly what that means. With that in mind, here are ten of the best coastal hotels in Cornwall, each offering something a little different.
The Headland Hotel and Spa, Newquay
Offering the perfect blend of discreet English ambience and decadence, this stunning five-star hotel is set upon a clifftop overlooking Fistral Beach, one of the most beloved beaches in the whole of Cornwall. A stay here guarantees luxury, with divine accommodation boasting ocean views, delicious dining and all the indulgent pampering you could hope for at the hotel’s top spa.
https://www.headlandhotel.co.uk/
Bedruthan Hotel and Spa, Mawgan Porth
This hotel offers a bit of everything, from opulent romantic stays as a couple to great family rooms a stone’s throw from the family-friendly beach of Mawgan Porth. There’s a wide range of relaxing treatments available from the hotel’s spa, while the Bedruthan is brilliantly located for exploring nearby stretches of the Heritage Coast line. A short drive from here is Bedruthan Steps, a spectacular beach with towering rock formations and rugged cliffs that make a trip to Cornwall worth it just on its own.
Talland Bay Hotel, Looe
From spectacular seaview accommodation to luxury garden suites, Talland Bay Hotel is a truly special place to escape to. Every room is unique, with attractive features and facilities to ensure your stay is a comfortable and memorable one. This hotel has a great sense of character and even welcomes dogs, which is great if you’re planning to walk stretches of the south Cornwall coast. The restaurant also has 2 AA Rosettes, meaning you’re guaranteed a delicious meal at the end of the day.
https://www.tallandbayhotel.co.uk/
Watergate Bay Hotel, Newquay
If the Headland offers a traditional take on decadence in Newquay, the décor and feel of the Watergate Bay Hotel is far more contemporary — though no less luxurious. Everything is top of line yet modern, with the double rooms, suites and family rooms enjoying views overlooking surfers riding the waves below. The hotel restaurant embraces fresh takes on local produce including Cornish crab and beef short rib.
https://www.watergatebay.co.uk/
The St Mawes Hotel, St Mawes
Most of the entries on this list appear to have clifftop locations or overlook a beach; this boutique hotel enjoys plenty of natural beauty thanks to its location, but stands on the harbourside of St Mawes, a small village opposite Falmouth on the Roseland Peninsula. The hotel is small — there’s only seven rooms — but it’s ideally located for those wanting a water adventure, be it fishing, sailing, surfing or swimming.
Boskerris Hotel, St Ives
This stylish coastal retreat is nestled just about St Ives Bay and is the perfect bolthole for those wanting a tranquil stay in Cornwall. Most of the 15 rooms have outstanding panoramic ocean views and the Boskerris’s relaxed Mediterranean stylings and decked terrace make it the ideal place to escape from the world and look out over the sea. Just below the beach is Carbis Bay Beach and the South West Coast Path leads into St Ives itself.
https://www.boskerrishotel.co.uk/
Polurrian Hotel, Lizard Peninsula
You’ll really feel that fresh sea breeze at the Polurrian Hotel, perched on the cliffs of the Lizard Peninsula. The hotel aims to inspire a fresh view of life, with early morning slow yoga and seal-spotting adventures just some of the activities available. Popular coastal spots like Kynance Cove are just a short distance awat, so the hotel is well placed for those wanting to explore.
https://www.polurrianhotel.com/
Hotel Tresanton, St Mawes
This hotel is unique in that it’s actually made up of a cluster of whitewashed houses on the edge of St Mawes. Its restaurant has a mosaic floor and a Pelargonium filled terrace, facing south overlooking the sea. Each of the 30 rooms has a different view, but every single one enjoys views out over the ocean. It even has a magnificent 8 metre yacht available to its guests; the Pinuccia was originally built to race for Italy.
The Old Quay House Hotel, Fowey
Situated right on the water’s edge, The Old Quay House enjoys some of the best estuary views in Fowey. The Victorian building was once a refuge for seamen but is now offering a modern-day refuge from the stresses of everyday life. The rooms are elegant and unfussy, several with small balconies overlooking the estuary.
Tregenna House Hotel, St Ives
If you think a castle hotel sounds grandiose, in this case you’d be right; rooms with four-poster beds, a celebrated restaurant and 72 acres of peaceful grounds with walled gardens to walk around in are the order of the day at Tregenna. If you want to stay active, the 18 hole golf course, swimming pools, tennis courts and gym should keep you busy!
https://www.tregenna-castle.co.uk/
Do you have any coastal hotels in Cornwall you’re particularly fond of? Leave a comment below and let us know!
