The best beach hotels in Cornwall if you're planning early for summer 2024
Discover the best beach hotels in Cornwall – from the dramatic clifftop escapes to the laidback beachside retreats
By Good Housekeeping
Thinking about a beach holiday without the hassle of travelling overseas? Cornwall is home to some of the most spectacular beach hotels in the UK – North and South – with access to miles of golden sands, surrounded by captivating sea views with a plethora of exhilarating spots to explore.
The South West Coast Path is a walker’s paradise, boasting sweeping bays and dramatic cliff walks, with uninterrupted vistas for miles – think blossoming hedgerows and clearest waters in the summer and quiet stretches of sands to discover during the winter months.
From the traditional seaside hotels to contemporary beachside retreats and those coastal boltholes, off the beaten track – providing relaxing beach days or adventurous outdoor escapes – there are beach hotels in Cornwall suited to every need. Think salt-fresh hiking along the coast path, breathtaking cliff-top views, kayaking and cold-water swimming in pretty, secluded inlets and coves with some of the most stunning sandy stretches you will find.
1. Carbis Bay Hotel & Estate, St Ives, Cornwall
Enjoy a beach-chic vibe with a little added luxury, whilst soaking up dreamiest coastal views from one of Cornwall’s most celebrated locations. Carbis Bay’s beachside setting provides the ultimate luxurious getaway for a romantic weekend or celebratory occasion.
The beach hotel in Cornwall is set within 125-acres, with its own private blue flag beach, views across to St Ives bay and direct access to the South West Coast Path. Just five-minute’s drive or a 25-minute walk along the coastal path will take you to the centre of St Ives, with its host of independent boutiques, eateries and artist studios.
2. Karma, St Martin's, Isles of Scilly
This dreamy beachfront retreat provides the ultimate island escape; Karma is situated in a sub-tropical haven with breathtaking Island views, you’d be forgiven for thinking it was the Caribbean.
Step off the quay and soak up the beauty of an unspoiled habitat; snorkel with seals, explore hidden coves and dive historic shipwrecks.Enjoy a beach hotel with a laidback vibe to a backdrop of sea and sand, set on one of five inhabited islands, with thriving wildlife – a world away from everyday life.
Perched metres from the white sands, Karma provides an enviable base to explore the archipelago of over 140 islands – most of which are deserted other than wildlife and seabirds – just 28-miles off the Cornish coast.
3. Fistral Beach Hotel & Spa, Newquay, Cornwall
Check in, and chill out at this cool and contemporary spa hotel with incredible sea views, overlooking the expansive sands of Fistral Beach that have long been a favourite with the local surfing and kitesurfing communities.
Fistral Beach Hotel & Spa boasts jaw-dropping ocean views, providing the ultimate backdrop for wild Cornish adventures, coastal getaways and romantic weekend retreats.
This adult-only beach hotel in Cornwall overlooks one of the most famous surfing spots in the UK, offering prime position on the north Cornish coast, with stunning ocean views.
Located to the far side of the beach is a small complex of eateries including Rick Stein Fistral and just 20-minutes’ walk will take you into the town centre, where you will find an array of independent eateries, pubs, bars, boutiques and cafes.
4. The Godolphin, Marazion, Cornwall
A relaxed beach-fronted hotel, inspired by its coastal location in the heart of Mount’s Bay, The Godolphin is uniquely positioned at the gateway to one of the most iconic landmarks in Cornwall – St Michael’s Mount – as well as the ideal base to explore west Cornwall. Mount’s Bay is a mecca for water sports enthusiasts and guests can enjoy a variety of activities including sailing, wind surfing, kite surfing, stand up paddle boarding and kayaking.
The beachside position is perfect for those looking for a relaxed restaurant experience and all that the bay has to offer. A beach hotel in Cornwall with spectacular sea views, it’s a fabulous spot to take in the golden syrup Cornish sunsets and walk the ancient cobbled causeway across to the Mount – taking a passenger ferry back at high tide.
5. Port Gaverne Hotel, Port Isaac, Cornwall
The Port Gaverne Hotel & Restaurant is nestled in a beautiful, secluded cove in Port Gaverne, just a five-minute walk from the 14th century fishing village of Port Isaac on North Cornwall’s dramatic coastline. The authentic beach hotel in Cornwall boasts exceptional seasonal cuisine, inspired by the bounty on the doorstep; think fresh catch-of-the-day, washed down with local ale.
Traditional features are in keeping with the building’s former days, offering a brilliant seaside bolthole to explore the north Cornish coastline. Walk along the cliff tops to Port Isaac where you can explore the ancient fishing village with its narrow winding streets, whitewashed cottages – the picture-postcard spot provides photo opportunities at every turn, with a host of cafes and delis stocked with fresh crab and Cornish pasties.
6. The Rosevine Hotel, Portscatho, Cornwall
Located just outside the fishing village of Portscatho, The Rosevine Hotel sits on a beautiful stretch of coastline on the Roseland Peninsula, with the South West Coast Path a five-minute walk from the hotel; 15-minutes’ walk to Portscatho and a further hour to the fashionable St Mawes, where you can pick up the passenger ferry across the water to Falmouth.
This delightful beach hotel in Cornwall offers a brilliant base for exploring the south coast of the county by foot, with the remote Porthcurnick Beach – a sheltered sandy cove owned by The National Trust – just a few minutes’ walk through the hotel’s gardens. Here you can also discover the iconic Hidden Hut, a charming off-grid beach cafe – serving homemade sweet-treats and beverages, perched on the cliff overlooking the sands.
7. The Beach at Bude, Bude, Cornwall
With its remarkable beach-fronted position – situated on the North Cornish coast – The Beach at Bude sits above Summerleaze Beach, ideally located just minutes from the town centre; a two-minute walk through the dunes will take you straight onto the beach, with the South West Coast Path a stone’s throw away.
A short stroll takes you to Bude Sea Pool – a part natural, part man-made pool, providing a superb spot for open-water swimming and for an exhilarating experience, hit the Atlantic for a surf lesson or hone your rowing-skills by hiring a Canoe or Kayak on the historic Bude Canal.
This beach hotel in Cornwall is the epitome of seaside-chic, providing the ideal spot for surfers and sea-lovers alike. With its seasonal dishes, inventive cocktail-menu and large terrace for alfresco dining, it’s the only place to be seen with a sundowner.
8. The Lugger, Portloe, Cornwall
Situated in one of the last unspoiled hamlets in Cornwall, The Lugger provides a relaxing getaway, with plenty of Daphne Du Maurier-style charm.
Old meets new, within the old-world exterior, giving way to modern luxury, where guests can unwind to the sound of the waves, lapping the shore of Portloe’s picture-perfect cove. Surrounded by the windswept headlands of the Roseland Peninsula, guests can enjoy staggering views and freshest seasonal food.
This quintessential beach hotel in Cornwall sits at the centre of the South West Coast Path, overlooking a secluded cove – home to two active fishing vessels – a welcome oasis in the middle of nowhere, offering a peaceful setting for a romantic-getaway or restorative escape, whatever the season.
9. Bedruthen, Newquay, Cornwall
Perched on the clifftops, overlooking the beautiful sands of Mawgan Porth Beach, Bedruthen Hotel is brilliantly positioned between Newquay and Padstow with direct access to the South West Coast Path. Take the winding path down to the expansive bay and enjoy days spent on the sand and in the saltwater.
This beach hotel in Cornwall offers immersive experiences, ensuring you make the most of your coastal escape; step into the crisp Atlantic for a surf lesson or slow down and breathe in the Cornish sea air with a wellbeing class on the beach. If walking is your thing, then hit the coast path and walk to Bedruthen Steps, taking in the extraordinary seascape – a wild stretch of coast, peppered with sandy coves, guarded by wave-battered rock stacks and jagged outcrops.
10. St Michael’s Resort, Falmouth, Cornwall
St Michael’s Resort offers the ultimate immersive break with a focus on wellbeing and activity-led experiences; it’s the perfect spot for a relaxing coastal getaway with downtime in the South West’s largest hydra pool or an active break – walking the Coastal Path, taking an exercise class, or participating in an outdoor activity.
Conveniently positioned directly opposite the town’s sandy Blue-Flag Gyllyngvase Beach, home to its own Beach-Café, serving delicious seasonal treats and local coffee, it’s the ideal spot to kick back and watch the breakers.
This popular beach hotel in Cornwall is suited to anyone looking for a rejuvenating or exhilarating coastal escape, with the flexibility to tailor your stay accordingly.
Source: Good Housekeeping
