Best Boutique Hotels in Cornwall

Gwel An Mor is an upscale resort with 61 Lodges and Residences by the sea in Cornwall. Guests can choose to stay in the cozy knotty-pine Lodges or in more modern, Scandinavian-chic Residences, all of which have full kitchens and views of the water from private terraces and balconies. With the beach a 10-minute walk away, and on-site features including a heated pool, spa, Mediterranean restaurant, and kids' activities, the resort is a wonderful choice for families seeking an active, outdoorsy holiday with all the comforts of home. 

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.

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.

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.