Best Beach Hotels in Cornwall

Located on a quiet stretch of coast just outside of the commercial town of Nequay, the four-pearl Fistral Beach Hotel has 71 bright and airy rooms, many of which have unobstructed, jaw-dropping sea views. The on-site bar and restaurant each serve fresh, locally sourced cuisine against a backdrop of those same views, and the spa has an extensive array of treatments and facilities. Weddings and events are popular here, thanks in large part to the views and stylish decor. The only real issue is that there aren't a lot of public transportation links in the area, so a car is really necessary to make the most of your visit.

The Scarlet Hotel is a super-contemporary and über-arty upscale hotel squarely aimed at grown ups. While the views over Mawgan Porth beach are stunning -- and viewable from every room -- the location might feel a little isolated for some. Guest rooms have a cool natural aesthetic and private outdoor space with sea views, and the restaurant employs locally sourced ingredients in creative, whimsical dishes. Log-fired hot tubs provide that magical holiday moment, and there's no shortage of other relaxation opportunities on-site: a very mod library, serene spa with copper tub, and benches tucked along sandy paths, to name a few.

The Carbis Bay Hotel & Spa is a 47-room, mid-range B&B-style property set on one of the finest beaches in the UK, if not the world. Most of the facilities -- restaurants, spa, heated pool, and many rooms -- overlook this golden Cornish beach which actually belongs to the hotel. The hotel's Victorian period elements are a lovely counterpoint to eclectic modern decor seen throughout. Special features include the spa's barrel-shaped outdoor sauna, and chic weathered-white champagne bar. A coastal footpath leads directly from the hotel to the Cornish town of St Ives. Higher rates tend to reflect the location and not always the quality of the rooms, and frequent wedding parties can be disruptive, but these bay views are still some of the best money can buy.

Perched on a rugged and picturesque stretch of Cornwall coast, the upscale Driftwood Hotel is a rustic and charming boutique hotel whose every detail has been carefully thought out by the on-site owners. Each of the 15 individually styled rooms -- all but one of which have sea views -- are bright and homey, beachy but not kitschy. The Michelin-rated restaurant, run by Chef Chris Eden, and the postcard-worthy gardens overlooking the sea are the hotel's highlights, though its somewhat remote location -- St. Mawes is the closest major town, five miles away -- can feel isolated.