Tresanton

Tumbling down cliffs overlooking Falmouth Bay, Olga Polizzi’s glowing white Tresanton shows how to put style into a family-friendly seaside hotel – at a price. The cluster of former yacht clubhouse and cottages, linked by terraces, gardens and (lots of) steps, has a Mediterranean glow. ‘Charming’ bedrooms, almost all with sea views and some with terraces, range in style from understated country house to breezy beach chalet, and mix contemporary and vintage furniture. Bathrooms are ‘stunning and very modern’, while an inspector loved hearing ‘the sound of waves, and little else’. Dine in the restaurant with its outdoor terrace, or in the dog-friendly bar with a fire for cooler days. Menus are the same in both, strong on seafood: perhaps Porthilly oysters, linguine with clams or monkfish with piperade. Breakfasts ‘in the sunny restaurant were magnificent’, with a generous buffet including freshly squeezed juices and good choice of cooked items with ‘everything prettily presented. I have never seen such perfect poached eggs.’ The hotel’s popularity with locals means in daytime it’s ‘not exactly peaceful. But we loved it.’