Find yourself fantasising about coastal panoramas, fresh salt-tinged air and shoreside feasting? A stay at one of these ocean-view hotels will scratch that sea-break itch
Fistral Beach Hotel and Spa, Newquay
A two-AA-rosette restaurant, reviving spa and contemporary rooms are all good reasons to visit this surfy, adults-only hotel, but there’s no denying that its location overlooking its namesake beach is the deciding factor for discerning foodies looking for a fabulous place to stay.
Surfers riding the waves provide a live stream of entertainment for guests with ringside seats, thanks to spacious balconies and panoramic windows in the bar and dining room. For those eager to join them, it’s a five-minute walk to the water.
Guests can drink in panoramic views of the big blue while experiencing head chef Pablo Borruto’s uber-local cooking. Dishes-with-a-Cornish-twist include the likes of roasted monkfish with smoked tomato lentil dal, coriander yogurt, carrot puree and fennel bhaji.
The Nare, Veryan-in-Roseland
For a quintessentially British seaside holiday, look no further than this five-star country house hotel with views across the Roseland Peninsula.
The Nare marries timeless interiors with traditional hospitality and fantastic dining, transporting guests to a golden era in which decadent silver-service dining came with uninterrupted sea views and cocktail nightcaps were standard.
While many of the individually decorated rooms within the hotel boast sea views, there’s nothing like pushing the boat out on the detached Lemoria Cottage (pictured) and soaking up its unbeatable views of Carne Beach.
In addition to formal restaurant The Dining Room, The Nare hosts The Quarterdeck Seafood Restaurant. The recently refurbished restaurant is just the place to indulge in Cornish fruits de mer, sip something sparkling and bask in the azure seascape of Gerrans Bay. St Mawes octopus and Portloe crab are just two delicious examples of the Cornish seafood on the menu.
Sandy Cove Hotel, Berrynarbor
This clifftop hotel might be hidden in plain sight yet it’s been carved out as a special coastal find among those in-the-know. Backed by the untamed beauty of Exmoor and with spellbinding views of the Atlantic, there are ample opportunities to explore the unique setting, or simply relish it from the hotel’s outdoor terrace while delighting in afternoon tea.
The slice of paradise is popular among families, couples and groups with good taste, all united by an impulse to luxuriate by the sea. The secluded, Mediterranean-esque Broadsands is the closest beach to Sandy Cove, however there are plenty more sandy and pebbled beaches just a short drive away.
However days are spent, a dining experience in The Seacliff Restaurant is an evening must. With a nod in the Michelin Guide and three-AA-rosettes to its name, expect a refined feast that champions the best of local land and sea.
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St Moritz, Trebetherick
Nothing soothes the senses quite like watching waves lap the shore, except perhaps an unwinding spa session. So, why not combine the two pastimes with a stay at this Art Deco-inspired spa hotel?
Located in the quiet hamlet of Trebetherick between Rock and Polzeath, St Moritz has access to some spectacular sandy beaches and is just a hop and skip away from the shore. Any time not spent playing in the surf, or beach hopping, can be allocated to some pampering in the Cowshed spa (the only Cowshed outside of the Soho House collection) or in the contemporary wellness space complete with indoor and (heated) outdoor pools.
More sensory pleasures are to be found in alfresco feasting on the terrace and simply lazing in the confines of an ocean-view room. Book a suite with a sea-facing balcony for extra bliss factor.
St Michaels Resort, Falmouth
From sunrise cups of coffee tucked in bed to grazing on small plates on the terrace, lounging in the outdoor spa to upscale sunset dining at Brasserie on the Bay, most activities at St Michaels Resort can be undertaken while overlooking shimmering seas.
Falmouth’s famed Gyllyngvase Beach is mere steps from the resort’s beautiful gardens and features calm, crystal clear bathing waters. Don’t skimp on just a one-night stay as, between the beach, hotel’s incredible amenities and many attractions of Falmouth, a trip to St Michaels deserves a full-blown weekender or staycation.
Struggling to settle on accommodation? Check into one of the four spa garden lodges, which feature a private terrace with outdoor copper tub and lounge area.
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