Cornwall is a part of the UK that’s fiercely proud of its identity – so much so that there have been the occasional calls for it to be entirely independent. That tells you two things – firstly, it’s an interesting and characterful place to visit; secondly, they have plenty to be proud of. The dramatic coastline, the local produce, the art, culture, and landscapes are all part of what makes Cornwall so special and the journey so worthwhile.
Here, the Good Hotel Guide shares some of its top luxury hotels and B&Bs in Cornwall for those who want to explore this unique part of the UK.
The Nare, Veryan-in-Roseland
On the Roseland Peninsular in Cornwall, The Nare is an old-fashioned hotel in all the best ways. With impeccable views of Gerrans Bay, carefully tended gardens, and filled with fresh flowers, it is stylish, comfortable, and welcoming. Food features local seafood, which is a luxury in itself. Making your stay extra special are the finishing touches such as spa treatments, the hotel’s yacht, and elegant motor launch available for use or skippered charter. There’s even a classic Morgan sports car, which you can take out for a jaunt.
Visit The Nare here.
Fowey Hall, Fowey
Rumoured to have been author Kenneth Graham’s model for Toad Hall in The Wind in the Willows, Fowey Hall is a luxury escape that’s designed for families. Overlooking the estuary, where you can watch the boats drift by, this is a place where you can pick and mix from the range of activities. As a family, you can collect eggs from the hens, walk Bramble the dog, bounce on a trampoline, or take a bucket and spade to the beach. For adults, there are spa facilities, and childcare options so you can enjoy a little time to yourself as well.
Visit Fowey Hall here.
Polurrian on the Lizard, Mullion
This beautiful white hotel on a cliff top on the west of the Lizard peninsula, has everything for a dreamy Cornish holiday. A path leads to a private beach, the views celebrate the changing landscape throughout the seasons, and in addition to being a charming place to unwind, there are plenty of activities as well, such as tennis, kayaking, spa treatments and yoga sessions. The hotel is family-friendly, but also romantic, guests can borrow wellies, fishing nets, and buckets and spades, and they serve a superb afternoon tea. Meanwhile, dinner presents locally sourced ingredients served in Mediterranean-inspired dishes.
Visit the Polurrian here.
Driftwood Hotel, Porthscatho
New England style decor and a restaurant manned by a Michelin star chef; Driftwood Hotel is a stylish boutique hotel perched on the South West Coast Path. Views stretch across the water at Gerrans Bay and in addition to seven acres of gardens, it has its own private beach. Inside it’s elegantly decorated with a coastal vibe and plenty of sea views across 14 rooms and a rustic cabin that you can stay in. Some even have their own deck to stargaze from.
Visit Driftwood Hotel here.
Tresanton, St Mawes
A stylish seaside hotel decorated and owned by interior designer Olga Polizzi, Tresanton is a collection of houses overlooking Falmouth Bay. It is light and airy but is filled with beautiful details such as local art, Poseidon mosaics and coastal prints. Food is inspired by Mediterranean cuisine and guests can delight in sailing aboard Pinuccia, the hotel’s vintage yacht.
Visit Tresanton here.
The Old Rectory, Boscastle
A bed and breakfast where the current proprietor’s great-grandfather was once the rector, The Old Rectory is a much loved and lived-in Victorian home. This is a place with an abundance of romantic history – it’s where Thomas Hardy met his first wife, Emma Gifford in 1870, and the architecture and location continue to inspire proposals and couples’ escapes.
While we class it as luxurious for its impressive nature, it’s also a very relaxed and welcoming place to visit. The owners are superbly welcoming, and with their own walled garden, ducks, hens, bees, rare breed pigs and Jacob sheep, home grown/reared/collected/cured fruit, vegetables, sausages, bacon, eggs and honey are served at breakfast, while nearby restaurants are available for evening meals. Spend days exploring the enchanting coastline and retire to rooms filled with antiques, original features, and thoughtful touches.
Visit The Old Rectory here.
The Scarlet, Mawgan Porth
A famously luxurious eco spa, The Scarlet is perfect for special occasions. Perched on a clifftop with views of Mawgan Porth Beach, you can watch the waves crash from the outdoor hot tub, or swim in the indoor pool with a view of the sea. Contemporary design and a superb use of natural light provide an intrinsic sense of wellbeing, while Ayurvedic inspired spa treatments only enhance the experience. There’s a rhassoul that’s the perfect therapy for couples to share, and a relaxation room with cocoon-like pods hanging from the ceiling.
Visit The Scarlet here.
Trereife, Penzance
On the south-western tip of Cornwall, Trereife is a beautiful manor house surrounded by parkland and formal gardens. There’s a real sense of old-fashioned elegance about the bed and breakfast, which is run by the seventh generation of the Le Grice family. There’s a sitting room and a dining room, all full of antiques and panelled walls hung with family portraits. Bedrooms variously feature polished wood furniture, dressing tables and perhaps a coronet bed or window seat. When breakfast is served, it’s a feast of local fare, including Lizzie Grice’s medlar jam, courtesy of the walled garden.
Visit Trereife here.
Chapel House, Penzance
White, with splashes of contemporary colour characterise this historic boutique hotel in Penzance, where each of the six light and spacious bedrooms has a handmade oak bed and views over Penzance harbour and Mount’s Bay as far as Lizard Point.
Attention to detail is what makes this place so special, including cosy features that make it ultra special at any time of year. A favourite is the top floor where there’s a free-standing bath under a sliding glass roof, so you can run a bubble bath and bathe in privacy in the open air. There’s also homemade cake and a cup of tea on arrival, fireplaces to cuddle up by, and a well-stocked boot room containing everything from spare jackets, gloves, woolly hats, wellingtons and flippers to toothbrushes and shaving gear, just in case you forget them.
Visit Chapel House here.
Artist Residence Cornwall, Penzance
Artist Residence in Penzance is part of a small, family-run collection of stylish hotels, all of which are known for their use of antiques, colours, and style. Decorated with acute attention to detail, this one boasts a superb location in Cornwall as well. A luxury boutique hotel that also welcomes dogs, who are treated to a dog bed, bowls and Lily’s Kitchen organic dog treats, this charming destination is perfect for couples or friends seeking quality time together.
Visit Artist Residence here.
