Top 10 Hotels With Sea Views In Cornwall, England - Updated 2024

1. Idle Rocks Hotel (from USD 431)

1/5 The hotel is right on the waterfront.

2/5 One of the bedrooms overlooking the water.

3/5 ... and also where you can socialise.

4/5 There's a terrace overlooking the harbour where you can choose to dine...

5/5

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If it’s sea views you’re after, you don’t get much closer to the action than at the Idle Rocks Hotel, which actually sits on the quayside in St. Mawes, a small fishing village on the picturesque Roseland Peninsula that’s just a mile (1.6 km) away from Falmouth by ferry. This makes it perfect for those eager to find a tranquil spot in which to stay, but who also wish to remain within close reach of a bustling town. Naturally, the hotel’s incredibly close proximity to the sea ensures some of its rooms enjoy excellent views across the harbour, but even if you opt for a room without a coastal vista you’ll still be able to make the most of the sea landscape, for the hotel has a picturesque outdoor terrace on top of the quayside wall. What’s more, the hotel is only one minute away from the beach by foot, so you’ll be sunning yourself on the sands in no time.

2. Fistral Beach Hotel and Spa (from USD 295)

1/5 Some of the bedrooms feature beautiful sea views and private balconies.

2/5 The exterior of the hotel.

3/5 The hotel spa is ideal for those looking to unwind.

4/5 Inside a dining area within the hotel.

5/5

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This superbly rated four-star hotel is ideally placed for those looking to stay in the popular Cornish town of Newquay but eager to stay in a quieter spot away from the bustle of the town centre. Fistral Beach Hotel and Spa, as the name suggests, is located at the beautiful sandy beach of the same name, and is a great base for those looking to catch some surfing in the large bay. Its location on the western fringes of Newquay, around one mile (1.6 km) from the town centre, means the hotel is able to offer its own private parking – perfect for those hoping to get out and explore the county on four wheels. Of course, with the site’s beautiful beach and local walks, the coastal views of the hotel’s Dune Restaurant and Bay Bar, and its luxury on-site spa – you may wish to simply while away your hours in blissfully lazy relaxation.

3. Lugger Hotel ‘A Bespoke Hotel’ (from USD 354)

1/5 The exterior of the hotel.

2/5 There is an outdoor terrace with a view of the cove.

3/5 The dining area.

4/5 Inside one of the bedrooms.

5/5

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Located in the tiny village of Portloe in the Roseland Heritage Coast area, the Lugger Hotel is ideal for those hoping to leave the rat race behind for a romantic getaway. Centred around a traditional 17th century inn, the hotel is actually split between three buildings overlooking the cove, the rooms of which all come with en-suite facilities. Foodies, and those hoping for a romantic meal, are in luck too. The hotel boasts a double AA Rosette winning restaurant and past guests have been particularly full of praise for the quality of the food. What’s more, the hotel also offers candlelit outdoor al fresco facilities right above the sea’s edge – perfect for wining and dining with your loved one. Walkers will also be drawn to the inn and its warming lounge log fire, for the site sits close to a number of picturesque routes, including the region-wide Southwest Coast Path, which winds its way along much of the Cornish coastline.

4. The Fowey Hotel (from USD 266)

1/5 Outside the hotel.

2/5 Enjoy refreshments while taking in the view.

3/5 In the communal lounge.

4/5 Inside one of the bedrooms.

5/5

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And speaking of Fowey, the town’s eponymous hotel is another top option when looking for accommodation with a fine coastal view. This Victorian-era hotel sits on a hillside overlooking the estuary, offering great views from its rooms and its garden, but despite its prime location it is still just a six minute walk from the beach.

Food lovers will also find much to enjoy, with the hotel’s restaurant having held an AA Rosette for the quality of its cuisine for no fewer than two decades. And, as with its predecessor on this list, it is ideally placed for a water taxi between Fowey and Mevagissey, for those eager to view the coast from a slightly different perspective.

5. The St. Mawes Hotel (from USD 304)

1/5 The exterior of the three-storey hotel.

2/5 One of the hotel's communal areas.

3/5 Inside one of the bedrooms.

4/5 The communal areas include lovely sea views.

5/5

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Another charming hotel in St. Mawes, which sits right on the edge of the sea and, as with its predecessor on this list, it wears its coastal location on its sleeve, with blue and white decorative touches and wood panelling that are classically nautical in flavour.

It sits in a prime location, just one minute away from the year-round Falmouth ferry on foot and only an eight-minute walk from the village beach. The castle of St. Mawes is also less than half a mile (0.8 km) away. Hop on the Falmouth ferry and you’re also within easy reach of Pendennis Castle, a huge fort originally erected by notorious monarch Henry VIII. Facilities at the hotel include an outdoor terrace overlooking the harbour and an a la carte restaurant offering a mix of Mediterranean and British food.

6. Pedn-Olva (from USD 266)

1/5 Dine while enjoying the sea views.

2/5 One of the bedrooms with sea views.

3/5 The hotel has a pool.

4/5 The exterior of the hotel overlooks the beach.

5/5

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Located in St. Ives, just a few miles from Cornwall’s western-most limits, the three-star Pedn-Olva offers excellent views of the beach. It is also superbly placed for two of Cornwall’s most famous landmarks, with the iconic tidal island of St. Michael’s Mount – a near literal twin of France’s world-famous Mont Saint-Michel – and Land’s End located just eight (12.8 km) and 18 miles (28.9 km) away by road, respectively. And, once you’ve returned from a day out enjoying such sights, this fabulously-rated three-star hotel offers a mix of European cuisine in its popular restaurant, which boasts romantic views of neighbouring Porthminster Beach.

7. Mevagissey Bay Hotel (from USD 201)

1/5 The view from the hotel.

2/5 Inside one of the bedrooms.

3/5 Outside the hotel.

4/5 Inside the dining area.

5/5

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The three-star Mevagissey Bay Hotel has a fabulous reputation among past guests who’ve delighted at the panoramic coastal views – which can be enjoyed from its rooms, restaurant, and outdoor terracing – and the friendliness of its staff.

Despite its location on the cliffs overlooking Mevagissey Bay, the hotel is only a short walk from the beach. And, if you’re tempted to make use of a car and travel a little further afield, then there’s the Eden Project, 10 miles (16 km) distant, and the Lost Gardens of Heligan – 200 acres (80.9 hectares) of botanical gardens which are among the most popular in Britain. Those wanting to stick to the coast and explore the coastal views around Mevagissey should make a beeline for the harbour, with its seasonal water taxi ferry service to the town of Fowey, which runs from May to the start of October.

8. Pier House (from USD 197)

1/5 The hotel, pictured on the left, overlooks the harbour.

2/5 The dining area offers sea views.

3/5 Inside one of the bedrooms.

4/5 There is an outside terrace.

5/5

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The Georgian-era Pier House hotel building is another great choice for those looking to stay right on the seafront, located, as it is, next to Charlestown Harbour in the south of the county. This three-star hotel has a proven record with past guests, who have rated it fabulous for its staff and the quality of food. Speaking of which, its on-site restaurant includes dishes featuring locally-sourced seafood, such as lobster, while its associated bar also does a range of British pub food, meaning you’ll have plenty of choice – whether sunning yourself on the outdoor terrace or tucking into your delicious meal indoors. Those looking to explore the wider area will also find one of Cornwall’s most famous landmarks close by. The Eden Project – a series of huge biodome greenhouses containing distinct floral ecosystems – is just a ten minute drive away.

9. The Headland Hotel and Spa (from USD 423)

1/5 The hotel's beautiful surroundings.

2/5 The hotel dining area offers beautiful sea views.

3/5 There's an indoor pool.

4/5 The hotel features outside terracing.

5/5

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As with entry number three, the Headland Hotel and Spa is located on a beautiful stretch of coastline overlooking Fistral Beach on the edge of Newquay. It occupies a picturesque headland close to the bay’s azure blue seas, which are a mecca for visitors and surfers. Indeed, the hotel offers an on-site surfing school for those eager to try out the fun sport for themselves.

And if you prefer things a little more sedate, the hotel’s Five Bubble-rated spa comes complete with sauna, hot tub, and steam room. There is also an indoor and a seasonal-outdoor swimming pool for those who would prefer their dip to be in more controlled surroundings. Its two on-site restaurants have won plaudits from past guests and its outdoor terrace provides a perfect vantage point of the coast, assuming, of course, that you haven’t already opted for a sea view room.

10. Tommy Jacks (from USD 103)

1/5 The exterior of the hotel.

2/5 Inside one of the bedrooms.

3/5 Another of the hotel bedrooms.

4/5 Inside the dining area.

5/5

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Tommy Jacks, which is located on the north Cornish coast in the seaside resort town of Bude, has won fabulous reviews from past guests who’ve thrilled at the quality of food in its relaxed restaurant – with its mix of local seafood, burgers, and succulent steaks – and its low prices. Indeed, it is the most affordable hotel on this list. If you crave something more fantastical than such mundane considerations, however, then you may wish to make a beeline for Tintagel Castle, just 20 miles (31.18 km) away by road. Its stones are forever linked with the mythical King Arthur, who legend has it was conceived here with a little magical help from the fabled wizard Merlin.

See you on the beach

Cornwall’s coastline is world-famous for a reason and, with these and many other coastal hotel stays awaiting you on your trip, you really are spoiled for choice when seeking out superb accommodation in beautiful surroundings.