alittlebitsocial2 Cornwall has been a family favourite of ours for over ten years now. We pack the car, throw in some buckets and spades, and head off for a week on the Cornish coast. We’ve never struggled to find things to do; there is so much available for any family, from beach days, the Eden Project, train rides, surf lessons, and those who like a slower pace, lots of gardens, and open spaces to enjoy but where do you stay? We’ve put together a list of the top 10 family-friendly hotels in Cornwall, with a selection to suit every budget and in the best locations. We’ve also included an accessibility guide, for those of you who may need these considerations.
When booking a family hotel, pick somewhere the whole family feel welcome with activities available for both adults and children and with the benefit of a great location to explore. Without further or do let’s get into it.
1. Watergate Bay
Watergate Bay is one of the best family-friendly hotels in Cornwall, perfect for the beach-loving family to explore. Their family rooms sleep up to six (including a cot), and most suites are dog friendly, so the family pet doesn’t get left behind! The hotel is fully equipped and has a 25-metre infinity pool; a café-bar; a dedicated cardio room for those of us who can’t leave the gym at home; three treatment rooms, and a manicure and pedicure room for the Mum’s or Dad’s who fancy a bit of self-care and for the parents who want a little time alone, a babysitting and baby monitoring service.
Accessibility: The hotel has two lifts to the public areas and two disabled parking bays outside the hotel’s front. There is also the sloping boardwalk to the beach. They also have one adapted family suite, and all restaurants are fully accessible via ramps, slopes or lifts, and sand wheelchairs are available for hire during the summer months.
2. The Headland
The Headland is a beautiful and dramatic Victorian hotel, which, as the name suggests, is, set on the Headland on the outskirts of Newquay. It is a luxury hotel set on an exclusive clifftop overlooking Fistral beach. The hotel offers a variety of elegant, one-of-a-kind rooms; each has its own character as well as suites or five-star beachside homes for couples or families, moments from the beach.
Dogs are welcome with advance notice and a small supplementary charge.
Accessibility: The hotel is an old building, with some disabled-friendly rooms available on the upper level. Bedrooms have been carefully designed to be fully accessible. There is lift access to every floor, with the addition of disability-friendly cottages with more room to move around, and some bathrooms are fitted with grab rails.
3. Talland Bay Hotel, Looe
Tucked away from the crowds, The Talland Bay Hotel is a small boutique hotel with a 2AA Rosette restaurant based in the idyllic area of Looe with captivating sea views and a quiet location compared to most hotels on this list. Although not exclusively designed with the family in mind, they do welcome children and furry little friends. However, it is more aimed at those looking for a quiet break, perhaps with a newborn or a young toddler.
Accessibility: The hotel is pet friendly, and they welcome Service dogs in all bedrooms and all public areas. All car parking spaces are located at the rear of the hotel, allowing easy access. There are particular rooms allocated for guests with limited mobility and needing wheelchair access, and there is also access to a ramp if required.
4.The Esplanade, Newquay
The Esplanade is a contemporary hotel overlooking Fistral Beach in Newquay, offering the perfect place to enjoy quality family holidays on the Cornwall coast. Family rooms are all unique, with a selection of different set-ups to accommodate individual family requirements. With space to sleep up to six people, which is a rarity in Cornwall.
Accessibility: All guests should use the hotel’s main entrance on Esplanade Road. There are steps to the main doors, but a side door is available with no steps. Once inside the hotel, there is a lift to the main floors; however, there are various steps and level changes throughout the hotel. There are 15 parking spaces and one disabled space. There is access to a portable ramp. If required there is a company which specialises in accessible taxi services.
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5. St. Michaels Resort & Spa, Falmouth
St. Michaels Hotel and Spa is located on Gyllyngvase Beach, offering guests locally sourced ingredients and a feast of activities on the Cornish coast and is near the beautiful town of Falmouth, with its selection of shops, art galleries, museums, castles and parks. The resort offers a variety of family-friendly accommodations, including king-size rooms, suites, apartments and beachside rooms.
Accessibility: There are disabled car parking spaces available, but it is highly recommended to contact the hotel before arrival to ensure a space is available. The hotel entrance is accessible for wheelchairs, with double doors. There are accessible toilets on the ground floor, near the house bedrooms and the bar. Lift access is available to all East Wing rooms and most of their Beach House rooms. Unfortunately, the spa is situated in an older building, and there are steps to access some of the facilities, there it is not suitable for guests who use wheelchairs. For those with limited mobility, there are handrails throughout.
6. Bedruthan Hotel and Spa
Opening over 60 years ago, Bedruthan Hotel has stood the test of time and offers calm family holidays on the beautiful Cornish coast near Morgan Porth. The hotel has sliding doors, airy spaces and shaded terraces. Forget anything or want to travel light? The hotel can help with that as they have buggies, bottle warmers and more if you need any of those essentials. Bedruthan Hotel is also embracing a fresh approach to family holidays, returning to the things that matter, like togetherness. They are now focusing on offering more unique experiences for the whole family rather than kids clubs and soft play. I like it already!
Bedruthan is a dog-friendly hotel. Up to two dogs can come with you to Bedruthan.
Accessibility: Bedruthan is spread out over a sloping clifftop – this can limit the accessibility to some parts of our hotel. A dedicated accessible sea view bedroom includes a seated shower with assistance rails, a lower toilet, and a lower sink basin. There are also vibrating pillows if required. All other bedrooms besides the villa rooms are accessible via the lift, and furniture can be moved or removed if needed. A lift services the central block of Bedruthan. Unfortunately, many of Bedruthan’s outdoor spaces, including the dune gardens, may not be suitable for wheelchair users. Two dedicated, accessible parking spaces are to the left of Bedruthan’s entrance – these can be reserved in advance. Please drive down to the valley and park in the beachside car park for step-free access to Mawgan Porth beach.
Things to do
7. Fowey Hall Hotel
A family-friendly hotel with views across the Fowey estuary and Cornish coastline. The perfect escape for all the family. There is a complementary Ofsted registered creche, a family-friendly spa and plenty of space for the children to play. Fowey Hall is offering themed Matilda afternoon teas; even the children have their own mini version. Extremely cute!
Accessibility: Fowey Hall has two bedrooms on the ground floor, which are accessible, and one has a fully fitted wet room, and both enjoy direct access to the garden. Car parking is available at the front of the hotel, but calling the hotel and reserving a specific parking space is recommended.
8. Sands Hotel & Resort
Sands Hotel is in Porth, the eastern side of Newquay and in 2021, was voted one of the best family hotels in the UK in the Tripadvisor Travellers’ Choice Awards. The hotel definitely caters for the family with large 2-room suites, a soft play area, pools, playgrounds and even a spa for the grownups. Sands Hotel and Resort believe that family-friendly hotels should offer separate children’s sleeping areas with their own. They offer 2- and 3-room suites ideal for families who like a little more space. All rooms are en-suite and have a sea, country or garden view.
Accessibility: The main entrance has ground-floor access via wide electric doors. There is a ramp leading to the restaurant, bar, lounge and sea view terrace, which are fully accessible and another ramp leading to the pool, games room and the Harbour Terrace. The spa area is accessible from the outside via a ramp. There are several ground-floor bedrooms and one large family room, which has been adapted and is fully accessible. There are two disabled car parking spaces situated in front of the hotel.
9. Tregenna Castle Resort
Tregenna Castle Resort (yes, it is a castle) is an award-winning hotel offering self-catering accommodation and a whole host of on-site facilities. Located in the beautiful Cornish seaside town of St Ives, a town known for its beaches and art scene. Family-friendly hotel rooms, spacious self-catering properties, and Cornwall’s top attractions are right on the doorstep!
Accessibility: The main entrance is situated at the front of the hotel with easy access from the car park. A lift is just off the main reception area for access to their rooms on the upper floors. All the bedrooms are en suite, some with wheelchair access in the central hotel allowing easy access to reception and hotel facilities. There is ample parking at various sites around the hotel, totalling more than 200 spaces. In front of the hotel, there are 11 spaces, with 5 dedicated to the disabled. Unfortunately, the hotel has a no-dog policy; however, service dogs are an exception.
10. The Cornwall Hotel & Lodges
Set in 43 acres of lush green parkland, the Cornwall Hotel and lodges offer the perfect hideaway for your Cornish escape. Offering family-friendly hotel rooms with balconies and views of the parkland. There is also a family suite located within the White House, the 19th century manor house if you want to stretch the budget.
Accessibility: The hotel has accessible rooms that include lowered washbasins and grabrails, but, unfortunately do not have walk-in showers. Accessible rooms can be interconnected to the room next door for carers or family members.
Did you like our list? Were there some that you thought should have made the list and didn’t? Have you stayed in any of the hotels? Please feel free to drop me a comment below.
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