Long, lazy days relaxing by the seaside are what dreams are made of. Throw in some great food, a hot tub with sea views and a stylish space in which to reside and I’d call that perfection, especially if you happen to be enjoying some time in one of Cornwall’s captivating seaside towns or villages.
A recent trip to Merchant’s Manor Hotel and Spa in Falmouth offered me all of the above and more, for a blissful break on the Westcountry county’s sunny south coast.
Hotel
This wasn’t my first stay at the four-star hotel at the top of the hill, but a lot had changed in the six plus years since my last visit. Two stylish new residences have been installed, one of which was mine for the trip; the reception has been replaced with a self-check-in screen; there’s a self-service coffee station for when a cappuccino calls; and updated spa, pool and gym facilities are on offer for those seeking out ways to indulge in wellness and fitness while away.
The three-AA Rosette Rastella restaurant remains and offers up a great meal whether you opt for the tasting menu or choose from the a la carte options, while the bar and library both provide welcoming spaces to enjoy a pre-dinner G&T or post-meal espresso martini (I did both). It’s also worth noting that the hotel is dog-friendly, and your pooch gets treated just as well as their humans do!
Rooms and residences
There are plenty of smart and comfortable rooms to book a stay in within the 1913 manor, but if you’re travelling with a small group or as a family and you fancy a little more square footage during your stay, one of the residences is a great option. Not only that but you can expect a fully equipped kitchen, a hot tub on the deck along with plenty of outdoor space to lounge, modern/rustic and oh-so stylish interiors to boot.
The two residences – ground-floor Landlubber and first-floor Lookout – have private access meaning that you can relax in your hot tub day or night without fear of other hotel guests spotting you. This is also helpful as the open plan living areas boast floor to ceiling windows, ensuring peace of mind when it comes to privacy.
I was residing in Lookout, which boasts two double bedrooms, two modern wet rooms, a spacious and super stylish living area and a large deck with a Jacuzzi with views to the sea. I loved the modern-meets-rustic décor with its abundance of wood; stylish tiled flooring, which allowed for underfloor heating; tan leather sofas, rich blues and modern black kitchenette.
The deck and views are accessed by numerous doors from every room and it was a real treat having a Jacuzzi to relax in while taking in the views over the sub-tropical gardens and sea beyond. In addition to this, the spacious shower rooms were super stylish and boasted big rainfall showers, while the bed was so comfortable and provided a cosy night’s sleep, and that’s the most important thing of all.
Food
Aside from hot-tubbing and generally relaxing in the ravishing residences, the highlight of any stay at Merchants Manor has to be a meal at Rastella, and I was lucky enough to enjoy two dinners in the resident restaurant.
Headed up by local chef Aiden Blakely-May, Rastella is where you come to relax in the serene surroundings and devour local delights with the odd international influence. The a la carte menu offer starters such as buttermilk fried chicken with an Asian sauce and Mylor scallops with celeriac and apple – the latter of which I savoured with its light, creamy, crunchy celeriac and fruity apple cubes and delightful scallops.
Mains included rump steak with skin on chips and peppercorn sauce; char siu pork belly with brassica and spring onions; and filled pasta with butternut squash, sage and aged parmesan, and I can confirm that the pasta with a side of truffle fries (I couldn’t help myself) was a delicious dish.
A dark chocolate mousse with delightfully crisp honeycomb and the three cheese plate was shared and hastily devoured before an espresso martini in the cosy library room called.
The next evening I tucked into the seven-course tasting menu, which comes in at £59 and is a celebration of flavour, texture, and great ingredients, providing a well-balanced and oh-so tasty meal to delight the senses. Expect to dine on dishes like Mylor crab with fennel and a langoustine bisque (deep, rich flavour and a crispy bon bon atop some crab – yum!); heritage grain sourdough with cultured butter; and salt-baked celeriac, artichoke and vintage wild garlic (all sourced from within 20 miles and a surprising dish that showcased great skill, flavour and lots of little tasty elements).
The lemon sole dish, which was served with a leek sauce, looked amazing with the fish displayed in a twirl and decorated with green accompaniments, but the taste didn’t live up to the presentation for me. Flavour was back though for the Cha siu pork belly, which was caramelised, sticky and so tasty, served with finely shredded greens and spring onion. A little intricate lemon tart with meringue was a lovely palate cleanser, while a chocolate bavarois dessert with milk sorbet and chocolate tuille made for a decadent and delicious end to the meal.
Breakfast is served in the restaurant and consists of buffet items (yogurts, juices, fruits, muesli and the like) and hot food to order from the kitchen. Choose from meat and non-meat full English options, eggs Florentine, royale or Benedict, and more. I devoured the Manor muffin, which was filled with a sausage patty, fried egg and Davidsow cheese, with beans on the side as requested, and this was a great way to set me up for a day exploring.
To do
There’s plenty at the hotel to keep oneself occupied, whether that’s relaxing with a book and coffee by the fire in the lounge or bar, basking in the gardens, enjoying a spa treatment at the Linen Rooms, swimming in the indoor heated pool, working out at the two fitness studios, or taking time out in the barrel sauna and aromatherapy steam room.
If you can tear yourself away from the great restaurant, public spaces, spa and the balcony Jacuzzi of your residence then you’ll have plenty to explore in and around Falmouth.
Coastal walks are a must to take in those stunning clifftop views and to access the various beaches in the area. Everyone will find something they’ll enjoy here, whether it’s a picnic on the beach at Gyllyngvase or Swanpool, a visit to the National Maritime Museum Cornwall, an exploration of Pendennis Castle – a well-preserved 16th-century fortress – or a boat trip on the Fal Estuary, shopping in the town, or something else.
In a nutshell
A trip to Merchant’s Manor Hotel and Spa in Falmouth offers great food and a great stay in a great location on Cornwall’s coast. Go for the location, stay for the array of facilities and delightful restaurant.
Factbox
Address: 1 Western Terrace, Falmouth, TR11 4QJ
Tel: 01326312734
Email: info@merchantsmanor.com
Website: merchantsmanor.com
See snippets of my travels on Instagram @tashheard_food_travel
All imagery provided by Merchants Manor Hotel and Spa
