I’m well acquainted with the best hotels in Cornwall having grown up there for the better part of 11 years. I’d call myself a bit of an expert, even, as I literally lived in one.
My parents owned a 12-bed B&B in the heart of St. Ives – a fishing town in the South West of England – so from the age of seven to eighteen, I experienced the travel/hospitality industry first-hand. Truthfully? You’ll find some of the greatest hotels in the UK down there.
I’m not exaggerating when I say it’s one of the most beautiful places to go on holiday in the world, let alone England, but with that comes a slew of accommodation choices which can be super confusing. So, if searching for the best hotels in Cornwall has landed you with even more questions than you first started out with, let me be your personal guide.
Skip to: The best hotels in Cornwall | What is the best part of Cornwall to stay in? | How we chose the best hotels in Cornwall.
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What is the best part of Cornwall to stay in?
I may be biased, but St. Ives is definitely up there. It has seven beaches (!), a Tate gallery, museums, independent shops and the tastiest pasties you’ll ever eat. That said, it’s not the only must-see place, so I’ve narrowed down my top 5 locations in Cornwall below – with a small summary as to where you’ll find them and what they’re best for.
- St. Ives – Best for: its beaches and art scene. Located: West Cornwall.
- Padstow – Best for: its food and coastal trails. Located: North Cornwall.
- Fowey – Best for: its old-fashioned fisherman cottages and pretty cafes. Located: South-East Cornwall.
- Porthleven – Best for: its historic harbour and markets. Located: South Cornwall.
- Falmouth – Best for: its maritime history and tourist spots. Located: South-West Cornwall.
How we chose the best hotels in Cornwall:
As well as living there for over a decade, I now visit from London as often as I can, so I have real insider experience when it comes to which hotels in Cornwall are worth staying at. While compiling this round-up, I took things like catering, room size, amenities, and location into consideration, as well as noting if the hotel has a spa and rooms with sea views. I’ve included a mixture of luxury properties, boutique, and lesser-known boltholes – so you’ll definitely find what you’re looking for here.
Of course, there are plenty of quaint bed and breakfasts, rental cottages and Airbnbs in Cornwall to consider, but if you’re looking for somewhere to really put your feet up and relax while exploring all that Kernow has to offer, a hotel is the way to go. My current favourite? St. Michaels Resort, Falmouth. I stayed there just last month; read my full review below.
Below: the 15 best hotels in Cornwall to book for a 2024 trip
For more from GLAMOUR UK’s Senior Commerce Writer Georgia Trodd, follow her on Instagram @georgiatrodd. Save when you book the best hotels in Cornwall – from adults-only Georgian guesthouses, the Watergate Bay Hotel and driftwood decorated Victorian buildings, to places in St Mawes, Mawgan Porth and the Roseland Peninsula – with these Booking.com discount codes and vouchers at checkout.