St. Ives hotels

This family-run guesthouse is one of the loveliest in the area. It’s also one of the best hotels in St Ives for location, set on a quiet cobbled street by the water. The centre of town is just a 10-minute walk away, while the train station is the same distance in the other direction.

I love the cool, calm vibe you get as soon as walk into Trevose Harbour House. There’s a blue colour scheme that runs throughout, drawing on the hotel’s coastal location. This is somewhere you can relax straight away, with every guest greeted with a welcome drink (I recommend the local gin and tonic).

The 6 rooms are all slightly different, with mid-century furniture, fabric-covered headboards and comfy beds with Hypnos mattresses. Though the hotel only serves breakfast, I can confirm it was one of the best I’ve eaten, with everything homemade and presented beautifully.

Despite being family-run, this is one of the finest luxury hotels in St Ives. Set on a gorgeous beach with golden sands, you’ll find stellar views of the sparkling sea visible from most corners of the property.

As one of the few 5-star hotels in the area, guests are truly spoilt here. My favourite spot has to be the outdoor heated pool, set on a large terrace overlooking the sea, but the C Bay Spa comes a close second, largely thanks to the excellent treatments with Bamford products.

There are also several drinking and dining spots, including the glamorous Walter’s on the Beach, with its fabulous al fresco terrace, and the Beach Club Restaurant right on the sand. But my favourite has to be Ugly Butterfly, helmed by top British chef Adam Handling – don’t leave without sampling the Native oysters.

When it comes to sleek and stylish spots, few places can rival the St Ives Harbour Hotel & Spa. Set on the hillside just above Porthminster Beach, this is one of the best hotels in St Ives for views, with sweeping vistas over St Ives Bay – keep an eye out for Godrevy Lighthouse in the distance.

I love the nautical decor, which follows a colour palette of soothing blues and greys and features doors with porthole windows. The 50 guestrooms and suites have a similar theme, with pops of colour in cushions and throws, white wooden shutters and fun prints on the walls.

There’s a lovely restaurant, The Harbour Kitchen, which overlooks the bay, but the real jewel in the hotel’s crown is the state-of-the-art spa. I was a big fan of the heated pool, surrounded by floor-to-ceiling windows offering stunning beach views.

If you’re after a room with a view, make a beeline for Pedn-Olva. Perched on the granite rocks just above St Ives Bay, this is one of the best hotels in St Ives for dramatic vistas.

Each of the 30 guestrooms makes the most of the scenery, looking out over the harbour and the ocean beyond. The decor is simple coastal chic, with a neutral colour palette and unfussy furnishings that let those views shine. If you can, I recommend booking one of the rooms with a balcony overlooking the water.

The on-site restaurant is one of the main draws here, serving up a mix of pub classics and more sophisticated fresh seafood dishes.

Boskerris Hotel has been around since the 1930s, but it’s recent renovation put it back on the map. One of the loveliest boutique hotels in St Ives, there’s a Mediterranean feel to the property, with a white and blue coastal colour scheme and plenty of glass to make the most of those sea views.

The guestrooms are comfortable and serene, with patterned headboards and neutral colour palettes. My top pick would be one of the 3 Superior rooms with free-standing baths, or the sublime Celebration room, which offers panoramic ocean vistas across St Ives Bay.

There’s a great on-site restaurant that serves fresh, local produce for dinner each day – think seared scallops and herb-crusted hake. I also loved the hotel’s breakfast, which features homemade muesli and Cornish smoked salmon with scrambled eggs.

Set in the pretty village of Carbis Bay, just a mile from St Ives, The Gannet is known for its welcoming Cornish atmosphere. You’ll find plenty of local touches here, from the ingredients on the menu to the quirky details in the guestrooms. My favourites are the ‘Spot the Gannet’ rooms, which have coastal views ripe for bird watching.

There are also spacious suites and family rooms with pull-out beds for kids, making this one of the best hotels in St Ives if you’re travelling with family. There’s no spa on site but guests receive complimentary access to nearby C Bay Spa at the Gannet’s sister property, Carbis Bay.

The hotel’s restaurant is well worth a visit. You’ll find classic British dishes on the menu, served in a rustic, home-cooked style. Start with local mussels before moving on to something from the Gannet grill – I love the ribeye steak.

I can’t resist a cosy, family-run guesthouse, and the Borthalan Hotel is one of the best around. Set in a traditional Cornish townhouse, it’s perched on the hill above Carbis Bay Beach, just a short walk from the town of St Ives.

One of the best hotels in St Ives, this place has charm in spades. All of the 6 ensuite guestrooms are beautifully appointed, and 5 of them have fantastic views of St Ives Bay and beyond (the other overlooks a pretty garden). My top pick is the Bay View Room, which has a lovely bay window overlooking the water.

Breakfast is included in every booking and you can choose between a continental option or a full English. It’s a pleasant stroll into town for dinner before heading back to the Borthalan Hotel for a nightcap in the lounge bar.

Situated right in the heart of town, The Nook is one of the best hotels in St Ives for those who want to be in the thick of things. The Barbara Hepworth Museum is just a couple of minutes away on foot, while the Tate St Ives is a short walk in the opposite direction.

The Nook’s also a great spot for those who want to maximise their time at the beach, as the famous surfing haven of Porthmeor is close by. I love the laid-back vibe here. The ensuite guestrooms are fresh and simple, with crisp white linens and reclaimed wood headboards. I recommend asking for a sea-view room if they’re not already booked up.

The hotel is also home to a range of lively communal areas, including a fully equipped kitchen, a contemporary lounge and a suntrap garden area, all of which are great for meeting fellow guests.

If you’re looking for a cosy, welcoming bed and breakfast right by the beach, Thurlestone Guest House is the place to book. Set on the outskirts of town, this is one of the best hotels in St Ives for those looking to experience this gorgeous part of Cornwall at wallet-friendly prices.

Each of the 7 ensuite guestrooms is well-appointed, and 5 of them have sea views. If you don’t mind stairs, I’d highly recommend booking room 9 on the second floor, which has spectacular vistas over the water.

The complimentary breakfast is one of the nicest I’ve come across, with fresh fruit and a choice of cereals to start followed by eggs Benedict or a full English – there are even gluten-free options. The hotel doesn’t allow pets or children under 16, but there is free parking included – a major bonus in the busy summer months.

With 12 gorgeous ensuite rooms to choose from, this is one of the best hotels in St Ives for design lovers. Primrose House features an airy, Scandi-chic aesthetic, with plenty of bleached wood, soft, neutral tones and thoughtful touches like dried flowers and contemporary art on the walls.

The guestrooms are tranquil havens to retreat to after a busy day of exploring. My favourite is room 1 on the first floor, which has its own lounge space and a decked balcony – perfect for sitting out and enjoying a cup of tea or a glass of wine. All rooms come with Egyptian cotton bed linen and Smart TVs.

A daily fresh breakfast using local ingredients is provided, and there’s parking available too, which means you won’t have to worry about battling to find a space if you’re driving.