If you want a masterclass on how to run a boutique hotel, this is the place to go. Once tired and neglected, this 1930s hotel perched on a hillside has been lovingly redesigned and rejuvenated, and the result is a cossetting haven with a breezy, by-the-sea feel and a supremely warm welcome. An adults-only retreat with Carbis Bay’s white-sand beach just below and the buzz of Cornwall's creative hub just around the headland, you couldn't be better placed for a relaxing seaside escape.
The ground-floor salon is a wonderful place to linger, with soothing grey walls, floral textiles, deep enveloping chairs, and stacks of books; come evening, candles flicker in hurricane jars and gentle music lulls you into a lazy holiday mood. Above and below, the 15 bedrooms blend soft pastels with eye-catching prints, and beds are positioned to make the most of the ocean views. Best of all, the wide, decked terrace is dotted with cushion-piled sofas where you can sit back and gaze across the bay – and the whole place is infused with the famous Cornish light that has inspired generations of artists.
Highs
- Stunning vistas towards St Ives Harbour in one direction and Godrevy Lighthouse in the other
- Watching the sun go down from the terrace with a glass of fizz
- Tasty breakfasts, cream teas and dinners made from local produce, plus plenty of restaurants nearby
- A tranquil, relaxing atmosphere (no kids under 16 allowed) – and service with a genuine smile
- A free car park (a godsend in bustling St Ives)
- Carbis Bay station (which links the London-Penzance line with St Ives) is just 5 minutes’ walk – so you could leave the car at home
Lows
- If you're expecting St Ives proper, the location may prove a little suburban
- Ditto if you like low beams and creaking oak doors: this place might feel a little too 20th-century
- Not all the rooms have sea views, though in summer you’ll spend most of your time hanging out on the terrace (open to guests only)
- The hotel is justly popular – you'll need to book far in advance for high season
Best time to go
Cornwall is beautiful in the summer (give or take the odd wet month, and occasional wild Atlantic storms), though St Ives is rammed with people during the school holidays. Spring and autumn are quieter and often just as beautiful. The hotel normally closes over the winter months.
Our top tips
Drive round to Godrevy Point, a National Trust reserve a few miles away, for clifftop walks and spectacular views back across Carbis Bay. From September to May, you'll also be able to spot a colony of grey seals basking in the cove below.
- Boutique Hotel
- 15 rooms
- Restaurant
- Ages 16+ welcome
- Open all year
- Pool
- Spa Treatments
- Beach Nearby
- Pet Friendly
- Disabled Access
- Car recommended
- Parking
- Restaurants Nearby
- WiFi
- Air Conditioning
- Guest Lounge
- Terrace
- Garden
- Gym
- Electric car charger
Rooms
The 15 rooms, some on the first floor, others on the lower ground floor beneath the terrace, share the same basic style - clean and uncluttered, with pale walls and carpets enlivened by eye-catching prints in shades of aquamarine, coral and apple-green. Ensuites come with smart stone tiles and Grohe fittings, and many have jazzy glass or hammered-metal basins. You also get White Company toiletries, waffle robes and slippers, tea- and coffee-making kits, homemade biscuits, digital radios and plenty of storage space.
Classic Rooms (with or without sea views) are small but comfortable, with baths and overhead showers or showers only in their ensuites; trade up to a Superior (all with sea views) for more space, a roll-top tub and a separate walk-in shower. Top of the pile is the romantic Celebration Room, which is well worth splashing out for if you’re marking something special. It comes complete with a sunken in-room corner bath gazing out over the ocean, as well as a huge bathroom hidden behind a curved wall.
Features include:
- Bathrobes
- Hairdryer
- In-room treatments available
- Radio
- Toiletries
- WiFi
Eating
Breakfast is a generous buffet of locally sourced goodies: homemade muesli, fruit juice, yoghurts, cereal, pastries and the like. You can also order cooked options, including the classic Full Cornish. It’s all served up with a sea view in the airy, Provençale-style dining room – a lovely way to start the day.
Cornish cream teas are on offer throughout the day. They feature a selection of dainty sandwiches and homemade scones with jam and local clotted cream. The restaurant is open for dinner every evening. Expect options such as seared scallops, grilled fresh fish and a selection of desserts, all with an emphasis on fresh and local Cornish produce. Wash it all down with a vast selection of wines, beers, local gins and other tipples from the bar.
There’s plenty of choice nearby when it comes to eating out, and staff will happily book tables for you. There’s a restaurant just below the hotel in Carbis Bay, or you can hop on the train and head into St Ives. Our favourite spots are surfer hangout Porthmeor Beach Café on the town’s northern beach, and the smart Porthminster Kitchen, which specialises in super-fresh seafood.
Features include:
- Bar
- Breakfast
- Restaurant
- Restaurants nearby
Activities
- Follow the coastal path or take the train into St Ives, known for its arts scene. Wander the gallery-lined lanes, watch boats (and the occasional seal) bobbing about in the harbour, and visit the Tate St Ives, the Barbara Hepworth Museum & Sculpture Garden and the Bernard Leach Pottery Studio
- Hang out on the beach. The fine sands of Carbis Bay are just down the hill, and St Ives has 2 excellent beaches (Porthminster and Porthmeor). Hayle, 4 miles in the opposite direction, also has a fine sweep of sand
- Take the coast road to Lands End, weaving through rugged moorland crags to Zennor and Pendeen lighthouse, past old tin mines and on to Sennen Cove. The energetic can do some of this 25-mile route on foot
- The famous open-air Minack Theatre and the turquoise waters of neighbouring Porthcurno beach are 18 miles away and well worth the drive
- Visit St Michael’s Mount. The National Trust’s fairytale island and medieval castle are linked to mainland Marazion (7 miles from the hotel) by a causeway footpath during low tides
- Staff can organise surfing lessons, fishing trips, paddle-boarding and more - just ask
- Relax after a day of exploring with a massage at the hotel's treatment room
Activities on site or nearby include:
- Art classes
- Boat trips
- Cycling
- Fishing
- Golf
- Hiking
- Historical sites
- Horse riding
- Kayaking
- Museums / galleries
- Plantlife / flora
- Sailing
- Shopping / markets
- Surfing
- Swimming
- Wildlife
Kids
Only guests aged 16+ are welcome, and you can request adjacent double and twin rooms if coming with grown up kids.
For more family-friendly places, see our Kids Collection
Location
The Boskerris Hotel is in Carbis Bay, 2 miles outside St Ives. It's tucked away off the main drag, a short walk from the train station and beach.
By Air:
The nearest airport is Newquay (60km), which is served by regular flights from London. Exeter (182km) is a couple of hours' drive. The hotel can arrange airport transfers, or you can hire a car (see our car rental recommendations).
By Train:
It's easy to reach Carbis Bay by train, as the St Ives branchline connects to mainline services from London and elsewhere at St Erth. See Seat 61 for more details.
Detailed directions will be provided when you book through i-escape.
More on getting to the UK and getting around
Airports:
- Newquay 60.0 km NQY
- Exeter 182.0 km EXT
Other:
- Beach 0.5 km
- Shops 1.0 km
- Restaurant 1.0 km
Our guests' ratings...
Based on 2 independent reviews from i-escape guests
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