Best hotels in Cornwall for 2021

No roundup of the best hotels in Cornwall would be complete without this grande dame of a building, which has hosted members of royalty, like Prince Charles. As one of the most iconic Cornish hotels, the Headland is one to seriously impress. It’s surrounded by the ocean on three sides and overlooks lovely Fistral Beach.

There’s five-star luxury at every turn, including at the Aqua Club with its six pools and in the stylish bedrooms. Rosette-worthy dining, surf lessons for those looking to try something new and an epic spa, with a sun terrace so you can really make the most of those sea views, completes the experience at this celebrated hotel. Plus, dogs are welcome, so you must bring your pooch!

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Who needs the Maldives when we have the seaside village of Carbis Bay? Set within 125-acres and part of the 125 acres that makes up Carbis Bay Estate, the luxurious Carbis Bay Hotel is set against the glorious backdrop of its own 25-acre Blue Flag beach. Apart from its excellent location, at one of the best hotels in Cornwall, you’ll find the C Bay Spa offering coastal-inspired treatments, a Sunseeker yacht for private excursions and fine dining at The Sands Restaurant.

You must experience the Beach Club, an alluring lounge and outdoor terrace where you can take in panoramic views of the ocean while enjoying Mediterranean food. At the Carbis Bay Hotel, the facilities are set within sub-tropical gardens and there’s access to the South West Coast Path, which connects Carbis Bay to St Ives in under 25 minutes by foot. If you’re after a Cornish hotel you’ll never forget, this is a place worth knowing about.

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Want to escape the crowds and experience the natural beauty of Cornwall? One of the best beach hotels in Cornwall is Pollurian on the Lizard, which is known for offering top-notch afternoon tea and its dog-friendliness. The hotel and its villas are located in an amazing spot overlooking the ocean, so you can wake up to some of the best views the region has to offer.

A good value option in Cornwall, the hotel serves up tasty, local food and there’s both and indoor and outdoor heated pool for relaxation. This is a terrific choice for adventurous types too, as you can try coasteering, kayaking, paddle boarding, climbing and more on the Lizard Peninsula, as well as surfing lessons and boat trips. A walk along the Cornish Coastal Path is another must-do

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Ok, so technically it’s not a hotel in Cornwall but Three Mile Beach is so pretty we couldn’t leave it out of our pick. A collection of 15 gorgeous beach houses in West Cornwall, it’s located just four miles from St Ives and hidden among sand dunes, coastal grasses and palms – bliss!

This is a self-catering experience that allows you to enjoy hotel luxuries. A street food truck, wetsuit and surfboard hire and homemade cooking from a private chef complete the experience. Inside the beach houses, you’ll find three or four bedrooms, kitchen-lounge-diners, warming log burners, plus there are sunken cedar hot tubs to enjoy.

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Perfect for discerning travellers, Budock Vean Hotel is a peaceful, luxurious haven on the banks of the Helford River. The sprawling hotel is set in its own 65 acres of gardens, woodland, fairways and water-frontage. Once you park up, you can forget your car with easy coastal, riverside, beach and country walks from the front door in the wonderful Helford Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

There’s so much to relax in style here, from the private beach where you can take guided trips on the Helford River by boat to full use of the golf course and tennis courts. You’ll find a swimming pool, a hot tub with a view, spa treatments and everything you need from one of the best hotels in Cornwall, whether you’re travelling as a couple or with your dog.

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This adults-only hotel in Cornwall affords not only a terrific location overlooking surfing beach Fistral, but a top-notch ESPA spa for you to unwind with treatments and in the sauna or hot tub.

At Fistral Beach Hotel and Spa, the Dune Restaurant has floor-to-ceiling windows for you to watch the waves as you dine and the Bay Bar is perfect for relaxing with a drink. If the weather plays up, you can swap the beach for the indoor swimming pool at this wonderful hotel for grown-ups.

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For a cosy, intimate hotel that comes at a great price, look no further than The Gannet, just a short distance from Carbis Bay Beach. The inn has just 16 boutique bedrooms, many with soaring sea views. As well as the boutique bedrooms, you’ll find traditional British food with a modern twist and a bar with a cosy fireplace.

The rooms are elegant and homely, with quirky pieces to make each unique. After hours of sunning yourself, you can find respite on the shaded terrace in the garden. While here, taking to the wonderful water by kayaking or paddle boarding is a great way to discover the beauty of Cornwall.

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Located in the culinary triangle, between Padstow, Rock and Port Isaac, the art-deco styled St Moritz Hotel brings glamour to a Cornish coastal escape. Nestled within nature’s playground, there’s plenty to keep you entertained and for those planning all day lazing and watching superb sunsets, you’re in for a treat.

The hotel is home to the only Cowshed Spa outside of Soho House properties to cater to your rejuvenation needs and travellers who book a King Room have exclusive use of your very own beach hut overlooking the Camel estuary and the Atlantic beyond.

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Located on the largest of the Isles of Scilly, St Mary’s, this is best hotel in Cornwall if you’re after something unusual and packed with history. Built in the 16th century and in the shape of an eight-pointed star, the aptly named Star Hotel is still fully intact.

Here, you’ll find a cosy bar that was once the dungeon and a restaurant that housed the officer’s mess. The hotel is known for its dining, so if you like seafood, you’ll want to head for the Conservatory, while meat-lovers should book a table at the Castle. Owner Robert Francis planted his own vineyard in 2009, so expect his best vintage yet if you’re visiting in 2021.

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A luxury eco hotel that’s just for grown-ups, The Scarlet sits on the edge of the ocean and redefines what it truly means to stay at a five-star hotel. Here, the focus is on enhancing the natural surroundings to ensure you leave fully reenergised and relaxed, as well as with knowledge that your break didn’t come at a cost to the environment.

Perched on the clifftops overlooking the golden sands of Mawgan Porth, its location is ideal for soaking up the best of Cornwall. There’s an in-house spa featuring an indoor swimming pool, outdoor hot tubs for admiring the ocean view and a restaurant serving the freshest, locally sourced food from sustainable growers, fishermen and farmers. Plus, you can bring your dog!

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