Penzance hotels

Nestled in the heart of the town, Artist Residence is one of the top boutique hotels in Penzance. Stroll down a charming historic backstreet to find the handsome Georgian door and neon “Artist Residence” sign welcoming you in. It’s an eccentric entrance, and the same theme continues throughout.

Guestrooms start with cosy small doubles and climb up to a fantastic luxury apartment with stellar sea views. Downstairs, the Artist Residence Clubhouse is the place for food and drink. Enjoy the bistro, bar and lounge, complete with a lovely terrace garden, for breakfast, lunch, dinner and drinks.

The Cornish lamb rump is a familiar favourite, but ask the staff about the fish of the day if you’re a seafood lover. Alternatively, check out the in-house Smoke Shack menu for a home-smoked dish. This is definitely one of the best hotels in Penzance for a unique stay.

Located right on the Western Promenade, The Beach Club is one of the best hotels in Penzance for sea views. The elegant Victorian townhouse boasts fresh, modern interiors, the majority of which face Mount’s Bay. You’ll find walls hung with the works of original artists and a colour scheme inspired by the Atlantic Ocean.

The in-house Beach Kitchen offers casual fare with panoramic views across the ocean – I particularly love the breakfast here, which includes cinnamon pancakes, avocado toast with poached eggs and a full English alongside a buffet.

The main menu, served from 11:00 am, includes a whole host of treats, from pan-seared cod and grilled salmon to rocket and Parmigiano ravioli and – my recommendation – the ultimate crab sandwich. Alternatively, grab a portion of fish and chips from nearby Fraser’s and go for a stroll along the Promenade.

A wonderful guesthouse with a plethora of top reviews, Bay Lodge is a simple, well-positioned hotel that makes a perfect base for exploring. Found on Chyandour Square, just a 30-second walk from the Southwest Coast Path, guests will find everything they need within a short walk of their stay.

Guestrooms at Bay Lodge are cosy, clean and well-equipped, but the service is the real selling point. Clare and Kevin are some of the nicest people you could hope to meet and set the standard for guesthouses in the county. From checking-in and hearty breakfasts to the local recommendations, it’s one of the best hotels in Penzance for a family feel.

Evening meals aren’t offered at the hotel, but the town centre, just a short walk away, offers plenty of options. Pizza Plz is a great spot, offering Neapolitan-style pizza for eat-in and takeaway.

Found on Quay Street, a stone’s throw from the harbour, The Dolphin Tavern is a much-loved local pub and hotel offering quality accommodation. With bay windows overlooking St. Michael’s Mount, it’s one of the best hotels in Penzance for an authentic stay in the town centre.

Start your morning with a full English or a full Cornish breakfast (including fried potato and hog’s pudding) in the restaurant downstairs. You can walk the South West Coast Path directly from the hotel – it’s 90 minutes to St. Michael’s Mount, a medieval castle reached by a causeway. Take care to consider the tide times before heading off to avoid missing out.

After a day of exploring, head back to the restaurant to enjoy traditional pub classics made with fresh, local ingredients. The home-made steak and ale pie is a personal favourite, but the seafood chowder makes for fierce competition.

A Victorian guesthouse with seven wonderful shabby-chic rooms, Seascape is one of the best hotels in Penzance for an easygoing stay.

Choose from newly renovated singles, doubles or family rooms, each furnished with modern touches throughout. From here you can enjoy a short walk to the lovely Promenade and the nearby creature comforts of the town centre.

Food isn’t offered in-house, and guests are left to fend for themselves at meal times. I’ve already covered a wide range of eateries in this article, but I’d like to leave just one more for your consideration: Mermaid Alley. The popular Asian-inspired restaurant is just a 10-minute walk from Seascape, it’s a must-visit. I can’t recommend the bao buns highly enough.

Positioned between the Western Promenade and Penlee Park, Chiverton House Guest Accommodation is one of the best hotels in Penzance for nature lovers. There is free parking too which is a nice touch.

Based in a refurbished Victorian house there are just six en-suite rooms, making it a homely stay. Breakfast isn’t offered here, but this opens the door to exploring the town’s wonderful culinary offerings. Stop off at Baker Tom's Bread to start your day with a coffee and a pastry before heading to The Cornish Oven for a lunchtime pasty.

Just one in a long list of bed and breakfasts in the area, Torwood House is one of the best options. The modernised Victorian building is now a 4-star guesthouse boasting modern en-suite rooms and fantastic service.

The accommodation is a 20-minute drive from the Minack Theatre, an open-air auditorium dramatically carved into a clifftop, which is recognised as one of the top attractions in the area. Book ahead to view a live performance or turn up to take in the sights of the 1930s theatre and its surrounding coves.

Evening meals aren’t included at Torwood House, but I can wholeheartedly recommend the nearby Shore Restaurant. Specialising in local fish such as bluefin tuna and John Dory.

Located next door to Torwood House is Pendennis Guest House, a competitor to its neighbour and another in contention for one of the best hotels in Penzance.

The guesthouse offers a full a la carte breakfast menu. An American breakfast is an interesting addition to the usual full English, alongside vegetarian and vegan options. After finishing up, head to Trengwainton Garden, a beautiful National Trust-owned garden complete with a cafe and second-hand bookshop, just a five-minute drive from the property.

Dinner is, once again, not offered at the property. However, guests may be interested in visiting 45 Queen Street, a vibrant bar and kitchen with fantastic brunch, lunch and dinner. The pan-fried butterfly mackerel is my top pick there.

Just 20 minutes away by car, with majestic views over the cliffs, The Land’s End Hotel is one of the best hotels in Penzance for those who want to be able to wake up and smell the ocean.

Bearing that in mind, booking a Superior Seaview Room will only serve to heighten the experience. If you’re traveling with family in tow, the hotel’s larger rooms can sleep up to five people.

Aside from the spacious rooms and sweeping views, I love the breakfast here, where you can sample a full Cornish breakfast followed by a killer homemade cream tea in the afternoon. My absolute favourite spot has to be the terrace. If you visit in spring or summer, don’t miss the chance to enjoy this lovely spot with a refreshing jug of Pimm’s in the evening.

One of the top rated hotels in Penzance, Holbein House is a B&B comprising six individually decorated rooms just outside the town centre. The boutique atmosphere here is a delight and the recent refurbishment gives the Victorian property a modern feel.

After a great night of rest in one of the double en-suite rooms, head down to the shared dining room for a continental buffet breakfast. Lunch and dinner aren’t offered at Holbein House, but the accommodation is located just a short walk from the centre’s many fine restaurants.

For lunch, I recommend stopping by Barbican Bistro, a casual family-run restaurant with a focus on fish. Enjoy scallops with red pepper dressing, John Dory with asparagus and beurre blanc, or whole roasted lemon sole with garlic butter. It’s the perfect meal to enjoy on Penzance’s stunning coastline.