Tags

Comfortable in Cornwall – Hotel Tresanton

Posted by on July 23, 2011 in hotels | 3 Comments

Well, we liked this one. We weren’t quite sure on arrival though and I got “the face”. This was because a)  the directions were a bit loose (the husband likes things to be measured in an accurate manner), b)  we initially drove past the entrance and c) it wasn’t a Four Seasons.

Not especially obvious, the entrance and a lot of steps. With a suitcase that was packed knowing there would be no penalty for being overweight, my heart sank.

the front entrance

I did feel slightly better when I saw the sign tacked to the wall, which announced that their own home-made ice cream was available every day, on the terrace. I felt better still when a very strong and rather handsome man appeared, as if by magic  (but in reality by artfully hidden camera) to take our bags, and us, to the check in.

After the obligatory query about whether a larger room might, in fact, actually be available despite having been told not, in a number of pre-arrival phone calls (the answer was still no), we settled into our room. Small but perfectly formed, I think you’d call it. It does the job  though. Familiar shades of F & B neutral and lovely fabrics. Good use of stripes and sisal. Not over-designed but the detail was there if, like me  you notice that sort of thing. Clean. Spotless in fact.

REN products, tick. Strong shower, tick. Good pillows, tick. I could go on but you get the picture. This was a good boutique hotel, which knows its market, makes an effort to be friendly and gets it right. I know it’s terribly Travelodge of me, but I would like some tea and coffee-making facilities in the room. I know, but there’s only so much that can be done without a strong cup of tea. Maybe there just wasn’t enough room for it..

I particularly liked the staff. Many women d’une certain age behind the reception desk, to make me feel at home. Quietly competent with a sense of humour.

This is an hotel which knows its demographic. I suspect a lot of the guests have postcodes which start with SW. It’s trendy but not achingly so; it’s quietly superior without getting up your nose with it.

view from the room (20)

There’s a little spa room (natch) and good, well-trained therapists for those days when it rains too hard and you just need to cocoon in the hotel.

The food was fresh  and simple  and what I would describe as ” superior home cooking “. It was cooked with care. The menu changed daily  and the star item was, as you would expect,  fish and shellfish.  Lobster can be ordered on demand as you wish, as indeed it  was  and delicious it was too, with a side order  of chips  and home-made  herb mayonnaise. Portions are generous. We like that.

view on the patio

The service  is careful and thoughtful .  They go for little touches  –  our hot water ran out one evening so the next evening  they gave us a glass of champagne with dinner.

We managed to eat on the terrace  on at least  half a dozen occasions  which is no mean feat in Cornwall .  This is the view you get  The patio heaters help. Good breakfasts. Lots of choice. My boiled eggs test was passed. Decent-ish coffee.

St Mawes itself is rather isolated from “trendy” Cornwall, although it’s very well placed. You could, if you were so minded,  drive for an hour  or so to “Padstein” as I believe it’s called www.rickstein.com   or go to one of the  uber-trendy  beach cafes  such as The Porthminster Beach Cafe in St Ives www.porthminstercafe.co.uk but we didn’t, preferring to stay put and not wanting to do the drive. I warn you, you need to drive for at least an hour to get to the big food destinations.

If, like me, you  have given up pretending that you’re not middle-aged and middle class, you can let yourself enjoy the gentle pleasures of the very  interesting gardens and National Trust properties  in the vicinity. I’m told that are lots of good walks, if you’re that way inclined. Which I’m not.

www.tresanton.com