9 Romantic Places to Stay in Cornwall
With a dramatic coastline, picturesque harbours, golden sandy beaches, and quaint villages filled with a superb choice of restaurants, Cornwall is certainly the perfect place for a romantic getaway.
Whether you’re planning that special honeymoon in Cornwall, a spontaneous couples road trip, or just idly dreaming of an escape from the daily routine, here are a few of our suggestions for Cornwall’s best romantic hotels …
Trevose Harbour House, St Ives
This stylish guest house is nestled within the bustling streets of St Ives with views across the harbour. After a day of wandering hand-in-hand through a maze of cobblestone streets, exploring local shops, beaches and historical sites, Trevose Harbour House provides the perfect retreat to relax with a good book by the fire, or indulge with a chilled beverage on the sun-trapped terrace.
The predominantly blue and white palette carried throughout the interior induces a sense of serenity and calmness. The guest house is also adorned with carefully selected pieces of art and pottery sourced from local artists.
Each morning you will be welcomed with a wholesome breakfast made with the freshest and finest quality produce to energise you for another day of activity together.
St Ives is one of the regions’ most visited seaside towns, and for good reason! Its postcard-worthy cobbled streets and seafront make for great romantic photo opportunities. Foodie couples will adore its eclectic gastro scene with seafood restaurants, bistro pubs, and traditional ice cream and fudge delicatessens galore. For art lovers, the famous Tate St Ives is just a stone’s throw away from St Ives Harbour beach, along with an abundance of arts and crafts shops.
View this post on Instagram
Scarlet Hotel & Spa, Mawgan Porth
The Scarlet Hotel is a peaceful sanctuary for couples looking to spend some quality time together amongst nature. The hotel’s eco spa features an outdoor natural reed pool, a clifftop wooden sauna, a restorative steam room, and an indoor pool with floor to ceiling glass walls – all overlooking the Atlantic Ocean. You can treat yourselves to a couples’ lantern-lit massage treatment, or attend a yoga class in the sea-view studio.
Along with its wellness treatments, Scarlet specialises in seasonal, sustainable and local cuisine that will leave you feeling nourished and healthy.
Situated on the rugged north Cornish coast, Mawgan Porth offers a beautiful west-facing beach with stunning scenery and great surf. From here, you can walk northwards along the coastline to explore the legendary Bedruthan Steps, or venture towards Padstow – a charming harbour town filled with traditional inns, bakeries and craft shops.
View this post on Instagram
Mullion Cove Hotel & Spa, Lizard Peninsula
Some hotels are blessed with scenic views – this one is blessed with spectacular views. Mullion Cove Hotel is perched high on the cliffside looking out across an expanse of ocean and countryside, the perfect setting for a romantic retreat. Here you can enjoy long walks on the South West Coast Path taking in the sea air and epic scenery.
The hotel sits above picturesque Mullion Cove, a pretty working harbour protected by thick stone walls. Nearby Mullion is the largest village on the rugged Lizard Peninsula and has an abundance of craft shops, cafes, restaurants and cafes to explore.
Within the hotel, you can curl up in one of its many luxurious lounges and watch the fishing boats drift lazily about the harbour through grand, arched windows. For breakfast and dinner, expect fresh and imaginative dishes with something new to try on every visit. The hotel’s purpose-built spa and outdoor pool come with panoramic views over the horizon, bringing the romance of the sea straight to you and your loved one. Who wouldn’t want to watch the sun go down from the clifftop hot tub?
View this post on Instagram
Carbis Bay Hotel, Carbis Bay
The Carbis Bay Hotel serves up some of Cornwall’s finest produce in several restaurants on the estate. Each restaurant is unique in style and cuisine, from casual beachside bar snacks and cocktails at Walter’s on the Beach, Cornish cream teas at The Orangery, to contemporary fine dining at Ugly Butterfly.
As well as a wide variety of dining options, there is also a variety of accommodation styles to choose from on the estate. There’s the grand main house with individually furnished boutique rooms, several spacious and modern beach lodges and suites, and quaint cosy cottages which are hidden deep into the valley.
The spa is the perfect spot for a couple to relax, replenish and rejuvenate, and its show-stopping outdoor infinity pool gives swimmers the most sensational of views.
The beach is a private and sheltered spot where the sea is calm and still. The mile-long golden stretch of sand is surrounded by sub-tropical plants and lapped by turquoise waters – an ideal place for a leisurely swim or sunset stroll.
View this post on Instagram
Artist Residence, Penzance
For the quirky couple, this eclectic hotel is a great place to chill out and catch up. Located on historic Chapel Street, Artist Residence is a renovated Georgian inn adorned with vintage and reclaimed furniture, bringing a little eccentric charm to the seaside town of Penzance.
The hotel’s Clubhouse Restaurant has a fun and friendly atmosphere. It’s a great place to hang out with the locals drinking coffee and cocktails.
Penzance is a busy market town brimming with shops, restaurants and historical sites. From Penzance you can enjoy views of the prominent St Michael’s Mount, travel to Mousehole to explore its narrow winding streets, or perhaps go all the way to Land’s End – the westernmost point of Cornwall and a prime location for that perfect romantic photo.
Another nearby attraction is the historic, open-air Minack Theatre, where you can spend the evening watching a play as the sun sets over the sea.
View this post on Instagram
Watergate Bay Hotel, Newquay
Have a lazy morning in bed watching the waves from your bedroom window. With stunning Watergate Bay beach on your doorstep and legendary Fistral Beach a short distance away, this section of the coast is known for its wide beaches and excellent surf scene. So hire a couple of surfboards, don your wetsuits, and brave the salty sea together!
When you return to the hotel, you can warm up in the sea-view sauna, enjoy a deep-massage treatment, or relax in the bubbling cliffside hot tub with a glass of champagne in hand.
End the day with a candlelight dinner at one of four restaurants within the hotel, specialising in traditional Cornish food with international infusions and contemporary twists. Alternatively, pop over to the lively town of Newquay to explore its many trendy restaurants, bars and surf shops.
View this post on Instagram
The Gurnard’s Head, Zennor
This rustic hotel stands in blissful peace surrounded by idyllic countryside, allowing you to slow down and relax into a slower pace of life. The Gurnard’s Head provides the authentic experience of an old English inn, complete with traditional fittings from the original building, as well as the facilities of a more modern hotel.
Comfort is key here, with warming log fires, soft beds that you could melt into, laid back, friendly service, and an equally-friendly herd of cattle for neighbours. A hearty Cornish breakfast will set you up before you head out into the romantic, wild and brooding landscape.
From the hotel you can walk over to Gurnard’s Head where rugged cliffs meet the sea, or perhaps venture inland towards some of the area’s many historical sites and ruins.
View this post on Instagram
Driftwood Hotel, Roseland Peninsula
With its very own private beach, Driftwood Hotel is a true coastal retreat to unwind at. The rooms are inspired by the ocean with understated coastal chic, all with impressive views of the ocean and decks on which to stargaze.
The hotel is located a short distance from St Mawes and Portscatho – two picturesque seaside villages with plenty of historical sights, inns, shops, and restaurants to visit at your leisure. You can also take a short ferry ride across to the larger town of Falmouth where you can spend the day exploring trendy shops and cool cafes.
Dining at the hotel is a casual affair with fine examples of Cornish home cooking to tantalise the taste buds. Driftwood is perched above the popular South West Coast Path which offers wonderful walking opportunities on your doorstep.
View this post on Instagram
Tregenna Castle Hotel, St Ives
At the magnificent Tregenna Castle Hotel, you can live like royalty with acres of subtropical gardens, an 18-hole golf course, and some of St Ives’ best leisure facilities.
Way back in 1774, Tregenna was built as a 12-bedroom private home for a wealthy Cornish man with a love for the sea. Since then it has been refurbished and developed into the grand hotel it is today, hosting familiar faces including Prince Phillip, David Attenborough, Dame Judi Dench, Joanna Lumley, and the entire cast of Poldark.
The hotel stands tall atop Tregenna Hill, overlooking the hustle and bustle of St Ives Harbour which is a short stroll away. The hotel’s Brasserie is a great place to refuel, create memories across the table, and sample the flavours that have long made Cornwall a favourite with foodies.
View this post on Instagram
Plan Your Honeymoon in Cornwall
Why not treat your loved one to a spontaneous holiday? Here at Absolute Escapes, we offer a variety of inspiring honeymoon holidays in England and Scotland.
Enquire now and we can begin planning your perfect romantic getaway!
Rebecca Meacham
