There’s no escaping the sweep of the sea at this ‘really super hotel’ above Falmouth Bay: a wraparound deck catches the sun; French doors in the restaurant open on to terraces; nearly all the bedrooms look across the water towards St Anthony’s lighthouse. The whole is ‘wonderful, in sun and storm’. It is owned by Olga Polizzi, whose designer’s eye is evident in the breezy, ‘relaxed bedrooms’ (all Cornish art, antiques and coastal stripes), and public spaces filled with ‘interesting and original’ artwork and objects. At mealtimes, the sea is inspiration, too: Paul Wadham’s modern menu includes a catch of the day, perhaps brill on the bone, champ mash, cavolo nero. Meandering steps lead up through the lush gardens for excellent viewing points; children have their own grassy spot to enjoy. A Mediterranean-style beach club was in the works on the hotel’s foreshore as the Guide went to press. Ask the ‘helpful’ staff about coastal strolls; some days, guided walks take in secluded bays, secret creeks, seabirds and seals. ‘Hiring the hotel’s skippered 48-foot yacht for a day is a wonderful experience.’ Country cousin Hotel Endsleigh is in Milton Abbot (see entry).