This glorious Cornish hotel is nestled in subtropical gardens and has its own private beach, making it perfect for honeymoons and other special occasions
SLEEP: A picturesque red-bricked building dating back to the 1800s, the hotel has been modernised with glass balconies, airy reading nooks and comfortable lounges with open fireplaces for the warmer months. The true star of the show, however, are the subtropical gardens; 9 acres of colourful flowers and shrubs from all around the world, hugging the slopes of a verdant valley. Follow the meandering paths downhill and you’ll hit Bream Cove, the hotel’s private beach.
EAT: The hotel prides itself on light, seasonal cuisine, making the most of Cornwall’s abundant larder. We sampled chargrilled asparagus topped with sweet crab and a Chardonnay beurre blanc, followed up by a beautifully cooked half lobster dripping with garlic butter. Dessert was a crème brûlée, perfectly balanced by a tangy raspberry sorbet.
DO: You can join the coastal path directly from the hotel’s gardens, and saunter down to the nearby town of Falmouth for lunch or a dip in the ocean. Relax at the hotel’s Sanctuary Suite in the afternoon – you can even book a hiker’s foot treatment, which consists of a Cornish salt scrub and a massage, to relieve any aches and pains.