‘They really want to give you a treat and spoil you.’ ‘A lovely, relaxing couple of days.’ Much praise this year for Charles and Edmund Inkin’s ‘buzzy’ dining pub, sister to The Gurnard’s Head, Zennor, and The Felin Fach Griffin, Felin Fach, Wales (see entries). ‘Classy’ bedrooms overlook the pretty village and harbour, towards St Clement’s Island. ‘Mine had a lounge and delightful balcony.’ ‘No. 8 was a tight fit; no wardrobe, but a good-sized bed, bathroom, two comfy chairs. All rooms have a Roberts radio, woollen blankets, Bramley toiletries. The trademark Inkin style embraces a blazing fire, bare floorboards, unmatched furniture. ‘The lovely restaurant looks out to sea. Service was friendly and attentive’, if ‘a little chaotic’ at busy times. Matthew Smith uses locally sourced ingredients in such dishes as fish stew, mussels, new potatoes, fennel, sea vegetables, aïoli. ‘Breakfast could hardly be bettered, from slices of melon to delicious vine tomatoes with the bacon and sausage.’ A fire in June forced the closure of the hotel, but it is due to reopen in autumn 2019. (Mike Craddock, Sue and John Jenkinson, and others)

Following a fire, The Old Coastguard is being renovated and is currently closed. It is due to re-open in January 2020. In the meantime, visit their pop-up restaurant, The Vault Kitchen, in Penzance.