The Best Luxury Hotels to Book in Cornwall, UK

Impressive scenery meets deluxe rooms, heavenly spas and locally sourced fine dining at the best luxury hotels in Cornwall
Impressive scenery meets deluxe rooms, heavenly spas and locally sourced fine dining at the best luxury hotels in Cornwall | Courtesy of Carbis Bay Estate / Expedia
Emma Gibbins

Find solitude in this remote part of the British Isles, where boutique beachside retreats, luxury spas and full-service five-star hotels tempt travellers with impressive scenery and the promise of laid-back living along Cornwall’s rugged coast.

1. St. Enodoc Hotel, for estuary views in Wadebridge

Hotel

White exterior of building, ground, and outdoor pool at the St Enodoc Hotel, Porthilly
Courtesy of the St Enodoc Hotel / Expedia
If you’re looking for a luxury hotel in Cornwall, St. Enodoc is a superb choice. Many of its 17 double rooms and four suites benefit from Camel Estuary views and are decked out with polished wood floors, original oil paintings, colourful textiles, printed headboards and scatter cushions. Guest perks include a spa, and a small, scenically set outdoor pool. The brasserie has a terrace and more glorious estuary views, and there’s an intimate fine-dining restaurant: both use delicious local produce.

2. Penventon Park Hotel, for access to a leisure club and spa in Redruth

Hotel

Elegant lounge area with red walls, chandeliers, gold-framed portraits, plush velvet couches and art at Penventon Park Hotel
Courtesy of Penventon Park Hotel / Expedia

Opt for a holiday with a hint of Bridgerton at the glamorously Georgian Penventon. This grand, palm-shaded 18th-century villa features 63 lavishly-decorated rooms set amid its lush landscaped gardens. Statement wallpaper, brass beds and windows framing the greenery outside feature in all the rooms, while the lounges are filled with plush upholstered furniture. The spectacular yet cosy Copper Bar has over 160 gins on offer, while other ways to unwind include the hotel’s leisure club and spa with a collonaded heated pool, jacuzzi and sauna.

3. Old Quay House Hotel, for sea views in Foley

Hotel

White exterior and outdoor terrace of the Old Quay House, Fowey
Courtesy of The Old Quay House / Expedia
Tucked into the historic narrow streets of Foley, this whitewashed, waterfront Victorian-mansion-turned-boutique-hotel was once a refuge for sailors. The watery vistas visible from the rooms are set off by the stylishly minimalist decor and interesting architectural features, including balconies and plate-glass windows. There are more great views across the estuary from the hotel restaurant and deck, where you can dine on Fowey River oysters, fresh-from-the-sea scallops, organic West Country meat and Cornish cheeses.

5. Driftwood Hotel, for seasonally inspired menus in Truro

Hotel, Luxury

Double bed in a bedroom looking out onto own private deck with wooden chair and sea views at Driftwood Hotel
Courtesy of Driftwood Hotel / Expedia
Taking inspiration from its coastal path locale, the Driftwood looks out over the Roseland Peninsula, with light and bright rooms, decked out with subtle driftwood interiors and crisp linens. The restaurant and bar lead onto a sea-facing terrace, but it’s the food here that really hits the spot. Head chef Olly Pierrepont, who joined the Driftwood team after honing his craft at several Michelin-starred restaurants, creates seasonally inspired menus incorporating the best local produce around.

6. Carbis Bay Estate, for bestseller-inspiring views in St Ives

Luxury, Hotel, Resort

Beachfront exterior of the Carbis Bay Hotel & Estate
Courtesy of Carbis Bay Hotel and Estate / Expedia

It’s no wonder Carbis Bay Estate is in such high demand, given its own private Blue Flag beach and views that have inspired bestselling authors. From the individually furnished rooms and suites of this Victorian manor house, you can take in the panoramic views of Gwithian beach and Godrevy Lighthouse – made famous in former guest Virginia Woolf’s novel, To the Lighthouse. Alternatively, you can opt for a stay in a spacious beach lodge, complete with its own hot tub.

7. The Beach at Bude, for a prime beach location in Bude

Hotel

A light and airy room at The Beach at Bude, with white-painted walls, a double bed with wooden headboard, and wicker furniture.
Courtesy of the Beach at Bude / Expedia

As its name suggests, the Beach at Bude has a prime location steps from Summerleaze beach – a visual reflected in its minimalist colour scheme and furnishings. This is a place where style meets comfort, with deep baths, rain showers and waffle robes adding a luxe touch to ensuite rooms. The bar serves innovative cocktails that come highly recommended, as does the restaurant headed up by award-winning chef Jamie Coleman, who has worked with the likes of Gordon Ramsay and Michael Caines.

8. Talland Bay Hotel, for a sculpture-filled garden in Porthallow

Hotel, Luxury

Windowside bench seat with five cushions and direct garden and sea views at Talland Bay
Courtesy of Talland Bay Hotel / Expedia

Set in 2 acres (0.8ha) of carefully manicured gardens filled with eccentric sculptures, the Talland Bay Hotel make you feel as if you’ve landed in Wonderland – with a giant red teapot and cat-shaped bird box among the unexpected delights you’ll find on display here. Sitting midway between Looe and Polperro, it’s the ideal base to explore the nearby Eden Project and embark on clifftop walks with four-legged friends, who are also welcome to stay here.

9. The Cornwall Hotel and Spa, for original Victorian furnishings

Spa Hotel

Tree-shrouded exterior of Cornwall Hotel and Spa
Courtesy of the Cornwall Hotel and Spa / Expedia

Grand four-poster beds, roll-top baths and Victorian shuttered windows are just some of the original features of this 19th-century manor house. Set in 43 acres (17ha) of woodland, it feels like a secluded hideaway, despite being just 1mi (1.6km) from the centre of St Austell. Enjoy a platter of freshly baked cakes, scones, sandwiches and Tregothnan teas served in the opulent Laura Ashley Tea Room, or dine al fresco on the sun terrace, overlooking Pentewan Valley.

10. Hotel Tresanton, for sea-facing boutique stylings in St Mawes

Hotel

Outdoor terrace and white exterior of Hotel Tresanton
Courtesy of Hotel Tresanton / Expedia
Fashioned from a cluster of 1950s cottages, this boutique hotel comprises 30 rooms spread over five houses – each with a mix of antique and contemporary furnishings. Local artworks, including sculptures by Barbara Hepworth, complement the property’s interior, while subtropical gardens, sea-facing terraces and a beach club invite you to enjoy its pretty port town setting in St Mawes. Take a short stroll to the harbour and rent kayaks, or borrow lines from the hotel and go crabbing.

For more options, discover our guide to the best boutique hotels in Cornwall and book now on Culture Trip.

Abigail Blasi contributed additional reporting to this article.

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