Beach Lodges at Carbis Bay, Cornwall: Hotel Review

It’s no secret that Cornwall is home to some pretty impressive scenery. With views stretching into the Atlantic Ocean and Celtic Sea, and a coastline that could easily fool you into thinking you were in the Med, it’s no wonder more and more couples are choosing the county for their big day as well as romantic weekend escapes.

Just when we thought Cornwall’s scenic appeal couldn’t get any better, we took a trip to Carbis Bay Hotel & Estate, where we discovered that their new beach lodges are the perfect place for experiencing a more luxurious side to getting married or minimooning in Cornwall…

Tucked away in the idyllic St Ives Bay sits the Carbis Bay Hotel and Estate – a prime position just two miles from St Ives and with incredible views across the bay towards Godrevy lighthouse. After a long drive from London we’re greeted by the staff who quickly settle us in with local beers in the bright and comfortable Conservatory, before a tour of our new home for the weekend.

There are eight new luxury beach lodges in total, each with incredible views overlooking the bay and completely private from other guests. It’s clear the lodges have been carefully considered inside and out. They’re in keeping with their natural surroundings and only add to the view, with nothing but modern luxury and seaside-chic décor inside.

Situated directly on the beach, the lodges have hot tubs, sauna pods and plunge pools. Don’t be fooled into thinking this is just a summertime escape, though. Despite the chilly December weather the hot tub was the perfect place to lose an hour watching the seals playing in the sea below with a glass of bubbly. The roaring fire inside made it the ideal spot to curl up after dinner and watch a film (on a state of the art TV, naturally).

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When the sun is shining, each lodge boasts rooftop or beach gardens as well as private sun decks with garden furniture and blankets, all accessible via your spacious, open-plan lounge area.

Speaking of which, the living area just so happens to be the pad you always dreamed of – full of comfortable seating, ethanol fire, top of the range gadgets (our Nespresso coffee machine got a lot of use!), posh Villeroy and Boch crockery and even a boiling water tap.

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If you have an app that helps you fall asleep to the sound of crashing waves, then prepare to experience the real thing from the comfort of your en-suite bedroom (just leave the doors to your balcony open to turn the volume up a little). Our bathroom is Instagram goals, complete with a roll top bath, marble flooring, walk-in shower and Aromatherapy Associates toiletries to boot.[/caption]

All that relaxing is bound to leave you feeling peckish. If you’ve already eaten the oat cookies and freshly baked bread left for you on arrival, there are plenty of great dining options close by.

The Sands Restaurant is the hotel’s two-AA Rosette formal dining option, with a waterside location and a focus on fresh seafood straight from St Ives, including red snapper and grilled sole. We tried the Beach Club Restaurant during our stay – a laid-back setting on the sand with more Mediterranean-style fare (the king prawn crayfish linguine comes highly recommended!).

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If you don’t mind taking a few steps from the hotel then the estate-owned Gannet Inn is just up the road, where you’ll find modern British mains such as pulled brisket burger and beer-battered haddock on the menu.

Breakfast is a relaxed affair at Carbis Bay. Guests can head up to the hotel where you’ll find a continental breakfast and cooked dishes including omelettes, a full English or smoked salmon with scrambled eggs available, all while sitting in the Conservatory overlooking the bay.

To top off the most relaxing weekend ever, we head to the hotel’s C Bay Spa for a Head in the Clouds massage – an upper body treatment for your back, face and scalp that promises to clear the mind and support the immune system. Bliss!

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Whether you’re on the lookout for that perfect minimoon retreat or some luxurious accommodation for a wedding on the bay below, Carbis Bay should be top of your list.

Hire of a three-bedroom lodge (with hot tub) starts from £1,200 in low season and £1,650 in high season. If you’d like to find out more about weddings at Carbis Bay then you can visit their listing, or to enquire about one of their luxury beach lodges you can visit their website for more info.