Cornwall Living
At land’s edge
Life really is a beach at this luxury hotel situated in the heart of north Cornwall’s golden triangle.
Dating back to 1903, The Atlantic Hotel has been reimagined as Polzeath Beach House, the ultimate, coastal boutique retreat. Offering rooms and sea-view apartments, the first thing that hits you on arrival is the ‘toes-in-the-water’ position, which rivals the finest of coastal hotel locations. It is simply breathtaking, right on the beach, facing the Atlantic and in prime position for those incredible north coast sunsets. The recent redevelopment has seen a complete makeover of the 12 luxury hotel bedrooms as well as the nine stunning apartments, with floor to ceiling glazing looking out on to the beach and sea beyond.
On arrival, nothing is too much trouble; the reception area may be uber-cool but the welcome is warm. Hotel bedrooms are havens of calm – they may not have sea views but their appeal goes far beyond what is outside the window. The vibe in these rooms is chic-coastal; crisp white linen and white walls provide a blank canvas with accent headboards. Pops of colour, the sink-into Hypnos beds cocoon body and soul ensuring optimal sleep, while the sweet smell of Sea Kelp toiletries combines with the sea breeze for the ultimate in olfactory indulgence.
The resident’s lounge is a well-heeled place to rendezvous, inviting a place to plan adventures ahead or to recap on the experiences of the day. When the wind blows and the seas rage, guests can snuggle up on one of the sofas with a good book and the dramatic backdrop of the waves viewed through the bi-fold doors. On a summer’s day, these can be thrown open while you take a seat on the terrace, sip something cold and look out across the sand and the azure blue sea.
Blurring the line between hotel and home, the nine, self-catering apartments (each named after a special nearby beach) provide a coastal retreat for groups of families and friends. They are expertly and very well appointed with all the mod-cons you could want, with additional touches of luxury coming in the form of fluffy towels and waffle bathrobes. The apartments are beautifully furnished, each with glorious sea vistas – some from Juliet balconies while others from sky decks, the ultimate viewing platforms for wave watchers and sunset seekers – a nice touch are the binoculars to catch the ever-changing vistas beyond.
While the kitchens make catering a breeze, it’s always nice to treat yourself to a night off the cooking, or a hearty Cornish breakfast when you’re on holiday, and with Polzeath Beach House’s resident laid-back eatery, The Atlantic Bar and Kitchen, you don’t need to travel more than a few footsteps to quench your thirst or fill hungry tummies. Run by Harbour Brewery, Head Chef Grant has devised a menu that celebrates locally sourced ingredients and freshly caught seafood, offering daily specials, sharing plates and infamous 20” pizzas, all served with a side of sea view! You also get to sample their excellent range of craft beers, select a cocktail or sip from the imaginative wine menu.
If you’ve never visited this part of Cornwall on the north coast’s ‘golden triangle’, Polzeath sits at the zenith while Cornwall’s foodie capital Padstow and the well-heeled coastal resort of Rock form its base. Polzeath Beach is a Mecca for surfers, SUP-ers and sandcastle builders alike with its wide expanse of sand and some of the best waves in the UK. The South West Coast Path winds across the cliff tops in both directions, heading towards Trebetherick Point and the delights of Daymer Bay to the south, and Pentire Point and The Rumps to the north.
When it comes to the ultimate in holiday destination, Polzeath Beach House really does have it all. It is a place for everyone; a holiday retreat for all seasons. It is somewhere to recharge and reconnect, to experience Cornish adventures like no others, and to make memories that will last a lifetime.
Polzeath Beach House
