Cornwall: Bedruthan Hotel & Spa  

Location

A much-loved honeymoon destination for over 60 years and perched atop a steep and secluded Cornish cliff near Watergate Bay, Bedruthan Hotel & Spa overlooks

the magnificent dune-and rock pool- filled Mawgan Porth beach and the clear blue waters of its stunning bay (just a few minutes’ walk from the rear of the hotel).

When you’re ready to test your surfing skills, Newquay is a 15-minute drive away, Padstow is a 20-minute drive and there’s an excellent day out to be had at The Eden Project – only 35-minutes away by car too. Also within easy reach are some wonderful hiking opportunities with picturesque views for important selfies and bracing walks such as the coastal path up to Carnewas cliffs and the Bedruthan Steps beach.

First Impressions

Upon arrival outside the whitewashed walls of the low-rise building that is the Bedruthan Hotel and Spa, you’re greeted by fringed palms swaying in the sea breeze and the sight of a knockout golden sand beach below the cliffs. It’s far quieter here than nearby Watergate Bay, so like us, you’ll remind yourselves to head for an afternoon siesta beside one of its hidden coves while soaking in the glorious waves of the Atlantic after check-in. Once inside, the first thing that grabs your attention are the clean-lined interior aesthetics and flooding of light aided by floor-to-ceiling windows which also offer up more of those jaw-dropping views. This is followed closely by the spa-scented hallways and the gentle fragrance of incense burners and Bedruthan’s own eco-friendly signature spa candles in reception, instantly sending you into warm and cosy spa-style relaxation mode. These, and the hotel’s other own brand Oula products – all handmade in Cornwall – grace both public bathrooms and suites – it’s all very zen. Artistic flourishes – including a dedicated art gallery with affordable priced works and artworks on walls in public areas – flow throughout the estate. Guests are encouraged to get creative inside a dedicated craft room containing everything you’d need to get painting, drawing or crafting including complimentary easels, paints and materials. Three outdoor swimming pools, an indoor heated pool, cinema room and tennis courts all add to the brilliant fun.

Suite Dreams

Rooms are bright and soothing with king and queen size options offering balconies and views of the beach and sea, the dramatic cliffs or over pretty gardens.Everything inside them is geared up towards privacy and complete relaxation with muted and calm colour palettes on fabrics and wall and sofas and armchairs in living areas to lounge on. Rooms featuring patio-style doors that open onto balconies invite you to breathe in the fresh ocean-scented air and watch tiny birds flit between rooftops and trees and – if you’re lucky – seals and dolphins playing in the distance. Honeymooners can opt for spa packages that include Oula Welcome hampers in rooms which feature pampering goodies so you can recreate that ‘spa at home’ experience once you’ve left the hotel. After a refreshing sleep in plump beds, you’ll awake to the soothing sounds of the sea murmuring while soaking in all the wilderness as the sun rises outside your window with a freshly delivered coffee at hand.

Eat

Tuck into delicious and romantic cocktails in the Cocktail Bar & Terrace where you’ll be treated to more of those stunning panoramas before dinner. The main restaurant, The Wild Cafe, is open seven days a week and offers equally unrivalled views of the coast, elevated and healthy takes on British classics using seasonal, locally-sourced produce as well as the freshest seafood and plant-based menus around. For mains, try the standout pan fried Hake served with Tribute ale, smoked bacon and savoy cabbage – it’s superb. Ogo, the hotel’s fine dining establishment will leave you spoilt for choice with delicious Cornish tapas style tasting menus using seasonal veg, sustainably caught fish and farmed meat complemented by a sommelier-guided bespoke wine list. Both spaces champion sunset dining and provide honeymooners some tranquil and romantic time to spend marvelling at the horizon beyond.

Breakfast is a superlative experience and wonderfully heavy on hot and cold options including full cheese and continental meats platters, huge rolls of smoked salmon, ginormous bowls of fruit filled with fresh Cornish strawberries, raspberries and blueberries, creamy Greek coconut and soya yogurts, and a make-your-own-waffle station. The DIY hot ham and cheese croissant and panini stations are equally popular. The avocado green pancakes and full Cornish cooked breakfasts with crispy bacon are too good to miss out on.

Spa

The Oula spa here, while hi-tech and sophisticated, has an ultra-inviting and laid-back vibe. An indoor pool set in a glassy building on the cliffs offers panoramic views of the crashing waves below and if that’s not enough there’s also a Cedar wood sauna, hammam, steam room and Roman-style caldarium. A spacious and bubbling log-fire hydro pool perched cliffside also overlooks the sea and daily wellbeing sessions of guided yoga are complimentary.

The spa’s holistic therapists specialise in everything from aromatherapy, Ayurvedic and hot poultice massage, pressure point treatments and facials. Our top pick? The Oula Essentials Scrub and Massage that incorporates invigorating exfoliation with a sea salt and seaweed scrub followed by a targeted massage is a guaranteed ticket to post-wedding, shoulder-dropping bliss. A hidden sensory spa garden features seven stages at different temperatures and is filled with fragrant herbs and flowers along with an ice bucket drench shower to boost circulation and health.

Getting Married

Standing out as a quintessential wedding venue for weddings, brides and grooms at The St Enodoc Hotel can opt for quaint and intimate civil ceremonies for upto 10 guests in the library, stylish receptions in Karrek for up to 50 seated guests or go all out on a exclusive hire basis with the 60-seater Brasserie as the backdrop for a gorgeous wedding breakfast. Food and drink menus can be personalised to reflect your tastes and budgets and the team work closely with local suppliers for flowers, cakes, decor and photography.

Familymoons at Bedruthan Hotel & Spa

If you’re bringing the kids along on the honeymoon, you’re likely to find older tweens and teens rushing out of the hotel suite in nano-seconds thanks to a playstation room filled with books, tennis courts and football pitch. It’s an especially convenient and safe ‘home from home’ with hotel staff nearby. There’s also an outdoor play area, mini-golf and croquet on offer as well as a full sized pool table next to the games room. Other delights include a craft room and a cinema. Bedruthan can provides cots, buggies, bottle warmers and other toddler essentials so newly-wed parents needn’t stress about overpacking the car either.

What You’ll Love 

– Staff are friendly, accommodating and super knowledge about the local area too.

– Creature comforts abound at bedtime with Netflix, gourmet hand-popped popcorn and cocktail menus or after dinner liqueurs which can be delivered as room service.

– The hotel place’s sustainability and eco friendliness at the heart of it’s endeavours, aligning itself with local businesses and having a dedicated upcycling and recycling programme

– Movie screenings on rainy days are best hosted in the hotel’s own cinema room where popcorn is delivered still hot.