Polurrian on the Lizard, Mullion, Cornwall, UK - Explore & Book
"Perched on top of a cliff facing the silvery seas and setting sun, this handsome Edwardian building has been around for over 100 years. And it has welcomed its fair share of notables, including Marconi who sent the world's first transatlantic radio signal from nearby Poldhu Cove. But it's since been reborn as a determinedly 21st-century boutique hotel with all the trimmings. Its 40 bedrooms and 6 villas that scatter the grounds come in a range of sizes - some sleep 2, some sleep 6. The best ones come with sea views, and that is what it's all about here. In the light-filled Vista Lounge, walls of glass reveal a 180-degree vista of the swooshing waves below. Come for a drink here at sunset - it faces west, so you're in for a spectacular show. Elsewhere there's an excellent spa where I had an outstanding neck and back massage. And there are good children's facilities too – pool table & table hockey, huge gardens, play area, two pools: a fantastic complement to the Lizard's sandy beaches (one of them 5 minutes down a stepped path) and subtropical gardens. This is a place to delight all: kids, parents, couples and friends after a slice of Cornish coastal bliss. Highs The location: a prime, west-facing spot on the lovely Lizard peninsula, near the pretty harbours of Mullion and Porthleven There's an Elemis spa and indoor pool to keep all ages amused if the weather turns Plus an outdoor pool and tennis for dry days, not to mention the sandy beach just below The villas are perfect for parents plus children, and good value too (book them early!) We loved the Vista lounge, with deep sofas, a wood stove and lazy chairs looking out over shimmering seas Lows Restaurant service can be very slow, and we found the breakfast buffet rather limited (though the cooked options were good) During school holidays, the hotel is full of families, so don't go then if you want a quiet, romantic break You need to pre-book your time in the pool, with sessions limited to 30 minutes each With 40 rooms and red-carpeted corridors, it feels more 'hotelly' than some of our smaller Cornish properties We gather there is construction on site in spring 2024 with no definite end date; we advise asking about this when booking" - Michael Cullen
