If it’s coastal chic and seaside style you’re after, you’re extremely well catered for in Cornwall these days. Britain’s most westerly county is gentrifying fast, and there’s now a luxurious line-up of hotels to choose from – from smart spa hotels to cosy countryside boltholes, boutique manors and, of course, a liberal supply of cliff-top beauties, where the sea views will knock your socks off.
The craggy north coast has the most choice, especially around the tourist honeypots of Newquay, Padstow and St Ives, while along the gentler south coast, Fowey, St Mawes and the sleepy Roseland have some standout luxury options too. Out west, try the port town of Penzance and nearby Newlyn, or head for Mousehole, a seaside village so perfect it looks like it’s been composed for a painting.
Wherever you stay, remember to factor in travel time: summertime traffic jams in Cornwall can be hellish, so you might well be better off leaving the car and savouring the local scenery instead.
Location: Padstow
The Pig at Harlyn Bay’s building dates back to the 15th century
(The Pig Hotels)
Cornwall now has its very own Pig, and it’s definitely not the runt of the litter. First off, it has a fantastic location, a short walk away from Constantine Bay and Harlyn Beach, and only three miles or so from ever-posh Padstow. As usual with Pig hotels, it’s the decor that makes this place such indulgent fun. It’s lodged in a historic manor house dating from the 15th century, and the whole place teems with offbeat, imaginative design: vintage armoires, peculiar paintings, junk-shop curiosities and antique objets, as well as four gypsy-style wagons in the garden. The restaurant is super (produce supplied from the kitchen garden, or within a 25-mile radius), and there’s a brand new lobster shed for al fresco eating.
Price: Doubles start from £220
Location: St Mawes
Hotel Tresanton has a buzzy outdoor beach bar
(The Tresanton)
The epitome of the Cornish Riviera, this refined hotel exudes effortless elegance. Owned by hotel guru Olga Polizzi, it feels as if a piece of the Côte d’Azur has been picked up and planted on the St Mawes seafront (fittingly, the main building was once a yacht club). There are 30 rooms in all, decorated with understated grace and Polizzi’s trademark magpie eye for antiques: a Rococo dresser here, a wicker bath…
Click Here to Read the Full Original Article at The Independent Travel…