On the north coast of Cornwall, in the picturesque Carbis Bay area of stunning St Ives, Una St Ives offers a welcoming hideaway for those seeking short breaks or longer staycations – and as locations go, it really doesn’t get much better. St Ives is regularly referred to as the ‘Caribbean of the UK’, and with its golden, sandy beaches and clear, turquoise waters, it’s easy to see why it’s such a holiday hotspot during the summer months. But the quaint town of St Ives, which is awash with boutique art galleries, tempting restaurants, sophisticated wine bars and quintessentially British pubs, keeps visitors coming back year round.
Una St Ives offers an alternative style of luxury break from the usual five-star hotel, with its opulent lodge-style accommodation, and is located just a ten minute walk from the famous Carbis Bay Hotel, which was the host venue for the G7 Summit in June 2021, and where global leaders memorably met on a day steeped in sunshine, mid Covid-19 pandemic.
This relaxed and stylish holiday resort, with its tranquil coastal location, exudes the ultimate in Cornish laid-back luxury, and provides the kind of privacy and sense of exclusivity that can at times feel lacking in both large and boutique hotels. And you won’t have to compromise on impeccable service either, because here, the warm and friendly Una St Ives team are on hand to take care of all the fine details of your stay, going the extra mile to ensure every holiday is a memorable one.
Immersed in a rich natural and cultural landscape, the resort’s contemporary, full-comfort lodges offer the perfect base to relax and unwind, but is just as well-suited for those seeking a more action-packed break, with plenty of scenic walks and watersports activities to indulge in nearby.
As well as plush and lavishly appointed lodges – many of which come complete with an indulgent hot tub – Una St Ives also offers an on-site restaurant, spa and swimming pool – but more on those later.
The lodge
The resort’s collection of 29 beautiful architect-designed luxury lodges range from a one-bedroomed lodge to a spacious four-bedroomed home with hot tub and wood burner, which I was lucky enough to stay in for the weekend last month. The four large bedrooms are of ample size (there’s a master and three that can be equipped with twins or doubles, depending on your preference) and feature simple yet modern decor, with wooden furnishings and accents in various tones of grey. In the living room, there’s more wooden furniture but this time it’s mid-century style, and set against a neutral colour palette with touches of yellow-green to brighten things up a bit in the form of a sofa cushion here and there. There was also a large 55-inch 4K flat screen TV and a log burner, making it the perfect place for a cosy evening gathering or a relaxing afternoon in , whether you’re visiting as a family, with friends, or simply like to enjoy plenty of space all to yourself!
This particular lodge also features an en-suite shower room, family bathroom with a bath and a walk-in shower, as well as a ground floor WC. And the open-plan kitchen is kitted out with an electric oven, hob, grill, microwave, fridge freezer, dishwasher and washer/dryer – all you could possibly need for a comfortable stay, and if you like to indulge in a spot of cooking, then even better.
For those who do, there’s an abundance of local produce available on the doorstep, which makes dining at home here a treat – but you can also take advantage of the resort’s award-winning restaurant – Una Kitchen – which comes highly recommended from me.
The highlight of the lodge, though, is the hot tub, which has room enough for six adults at a time – so if you’re travelling as a group of eight, which is the maximum the lodge can accommodate, then you might have to draw lots on who gets a turn first. There’s also a private terrace area, which is great for enjoying good weather and perhaps a spot of al fresco dining when the sun is shining. Having brought dogs with us, this was also handy – but although the lodge itself was dog-friendly inside, the lack of fencing around the outdoor areas meant that it was rather open, and so we couldn’t quite relax when letting them out; something that should perhaps be addressed if marketing to groups with dogs.
It would also be nice to see a welcome box of locally sourced treats (breads, crisps, snacks, juice etc.) provided in the lodge for guests to add an extra sense of luxury, as you might find in other resorts of this calibre, and also as you tend to find some mouth-watering snacks and drinks awaiting you when checking into a high-end hotel.
Una Kitchen
If cooking isn’t your forté then you’re in luck, because the resort’s award-winning on-site restaurant, Una Kitchen offers a show-stopping dining experience you need to try at least once (although you’ll almost certainly want to come back again for more, because the food is quite simply sensational).
Having recently scooped the title of ‘Restaurant of the Year’ at the Cornwall Tourism Awards, the restaurant serves up a mouth-watering Mediterranean-inspired menu centered around fresh, locally-sourced ingredients and wood-fired cooking, and with multiple AA Rosette winning Cornish chef Glenn Gatland at the helm, you know you’re in good hands.
There’s a variety of fare on offer, from the freshest fish and pizzas from the woodfired Gozney oven to classic Sunday roasts cooked over flame.
Dining here was undoubtedly a highlight of my stay at Una St Ives. I started my culinary experience with the salt and pepper squid, which was served with spring onions and sugar snap peas for sweetness and extra crunch, and drizzled with a decadent soy and honey dressing. For mains, I opted for the West Country 10oz rump steak, which was cooked to perfection and melted in the mouth just as a quality steak should. Accompanied by indulgent parmentier potatoes, charred tenderstem broccoli and roasted cherry tomatoes, and served with a rich peppercorn sauce, it was a prime example of just how good a simple dish like this can be when done right. As a side, I went for the Waldorf salad, which was the perfect match – but didn’t have room left to sample dessert.
The restaurant caters well to those with dietary requirements, with plenty of vegan and vegetarian options to choose from.
And dishes are served up in a relaxed and stylish atmosphere that has made Una Kitchen a popular destination for locals as well as with guests at Una St Ives. Being winter, I sat inside, but in warmer weather you could dine out on the terrace or simply pause for a drink – whether you’re in the mood for a perfectly frothed cappuccino or fancy choosing from the wide selection of wines, local beers, and hand-crafted cocktails available.
The resort recently opened its own lido swimming pool, and to accompany it, it has also launched the seasonal Lido Bar and Grill – an outdoor BBQ kitchen and poolside dining space that will no doubt prove popular in the spring and summer. The latest offering compliments Una Kitchen, serving a street-food-inspired menu cooked over an open flame, and offers a sheltered terrace that’s perfect spot for enjoying Cornish cocktails, smoothies, iced drinks and loaded hot chocolates after a dip in the lido.
The Spa at Una
Wellness is a key theme at Una St Ives, and guests are encouraged to take time out for themselves to ensure a thoroughly relaxing and restorative stay. With this in mind, paying a visit to the Spa at Una, with its four treatment rooms, a sun-lit 15-metre swimming pool, kid’s pool, jacuzzi, sauna, and steam room, as well as the Life Fitness gym, is a must. There are a range of sumptuous holistic treatments to choose from that promise to leave you feeling brand new, and the spa’s elemental setting, combined with the use of award-winning Elemis products, makes it a truly indulgent experience.
New luxury villas
Una St Ives is now undergoing the second phase of its development, and it will soon be adding 27 high-end two-, three- and four-bedroom villas with private hot tubs to its existing collection of lodges. Set to open this spring, they’ve been dreamt up by the multi-award-winning Dyer Architects, and will be some of the best-appointed holiday villas in Cornwall.
Made from locally sourced materials including Cornish stone for an authentic Cornish feel with a modern twist, these spacious accommodation options feature stylish Scandi-influenced interiors and open plan living on the first floor, with a high-spec kitchen, dining and living area, plus a private terrace with outside dining that is made for socialising.
With access to the outdoors on both levels of the villas, spacious bedrooms are found on the ground floor, opening to the distinctly Cornish landscaped grounds, hot tub, and resplendent views. If you’re looking for a new level of luxury from your stay at Una St Ives, then these spectacular new villas are just the ticket.
To do
With such comfortable accommodation and plenty to do on site at Una St Ives, you never really have to leave, as you have everything you need to make a great holiday. Even so, with St Ives on your doorstep, it would be rude not to head out and explore, and with so many incredible beaches in the vicinity, it’s a great spot for soaking up some rays and swimming in the sea during the warmer months, and for blustery but refreshing dog walks for the rest of the year. The coastline around Una is ideal for surfing, swimming or coasteering, with Carbis Bay 15 minutes by foot or five minutes by car and the famous beaches of Hayle, Porthminster and Porthmeor within easy reach.
Una St Ives is also perfectly located for culture and nature lovers. St Ives is a renowned art hub and is home to the world-famous Tate St Ives and Barbara Hepworth museum and of course, you could easily while away an afternoon or two wandering the town’s quaint cobbled streets and perusing its boutiques and smaller galleries, pausing for refreshments at one of the many harbourside cafés or pubs.
In a nutshell
For luxurious coastal living and world class amenities, Una St Ives is the ultimate Cornish staycation destination for those who enjoy the finer things in life. Offering a sense of privacy and exclusivity in breath-taking surroundings, expect comfortable accommodation, great facilities and amiable service.
Factbox
Address: Little Trevarrack, Laity Ln, Carbis Bay, Saint Ives TR26 3HW
Phone: +441736 257 000
Website: unastives.co.uk
