The 7 Best Hotels in Newquay, Cornwall

This traditional seaside holiday hotel overlooks Fistral Bay, which, being one of the top surfing spots in the world, is a huge draw for water sports junkies. The bay is right on the Atlantic, so it enjoys colossal waves. Revel in the spectacular sea views from your bed, bath or the hotel restaurant, all of which feature gloriously large windows. This hotel is exclusively for adults, so you can enjoy all the perks of being child-free – whether that’s a cocktail on the terrace or a peaceful soak in the low-lit spa pool.

Jutting out on a clifftop over Fistral Beach, the imposing Headland Hotel looks like something out of a Jane Austen novel. Though it was once used as the location for Roald Dahl’s The Witches film (1990), this dog-friendly Victorian house is anything but old-fashioned inside. Each of the 95 rooms and 39 self-catering cottages boasts bespoke furniture, a Nespresso machine and Elemis products, and oozes an old-world charm – there’s definitely a nod to the hotel’s grand beginnings, but with enough modern comforts to ensure you have a relaxing stay. Whether you come to make the most of the surf or to simply enjoy the spa or golf course, there’s plenty on offer at the Headland.

Presiding over the Newquay Bay coastline, this country pile hotel oozes traditional glamour. The sense of grandeur starts in the black-and-white tiled lobby and continues through the gallery-style dining room and up to the smartly dressed bedrooms, where roll-top baths and private balconies add to the feeling of luxury. Thanks to the hotel’s positioning, you’ll enjoy uninterrupted sea views from almost every room and, aside from the occasional squalling seagull, a quiet and peaceful stay. Head down to the champagne bar for a sparkling aperitif before settling in at the bistro, where Sunday roasts and moules marinière feature on the menu.

With its surf school, activities club and large indoor pool, this yacht club-style hotel is a great option for people with little ones in tow as much as it is for adults alone. Right on the Pentire Peninsula, it presides over Fistral Beach, making it an excellent spot for sailors, kitesurfers and mountaineers alike. The rooms are simple but stylish, and the large family-style restaurant offers a fantastic view over the Atlantic. Just a five-minute stroll from Newquay town, it’s perfectly positioned to explore all that the location has to offer.

If a restorative rest is what you need, look no further than the Watergate Bay Hotel, run by the same family for generations. Each room is artfully designed to feel like a serene, luxury haven with muted colours, in-room roll-top baths and carefully selected book collections. The real star of the show here is the view, which is exhibited magnificently through the large windows. It’s not just a bolthole for couples – there’s an Extreme Academy for water sports that will help you make the most of the bay’s excellent surf, and a glorious indoor, infinity-style pool for those who prefer a calmer swim.