Star Castle
The Francis family’s charismatic hotel, with many historic features, continues to please regulars, mainly for its ‘superb’ hilltop location, genial service and tip-top seafood. More
Good Hotel Guide Review
The Francis family’s charismatic hotel, with many historic features, continues to please regulars, mainly for its ‘superb’ hilltop location, genial service and tip-top seafood. ‘Staying here is like being a guest at a private members’ club,’ one reader tells us. The star-shaped 16th-century fortress has been ingeniously converted to retain original features: a beamed and stone-walled dining room and lounge, an atmospheric bar in the dungeon, and terraces on the garrison walls. Food is ‘undoubtedly the highlight of a stay’ with dishes ‘almost universally of excellent quality’. Locally caught seafood – lobster is a speciality – and vegetables from the kitchen garden appear on the menu as well as seared venison. Breakfast has ‘splendid’ choices including ‘smoked haddock’. Vegans, however, may struggle. Bedrooms divide opinion: the purpose-built cottage-style rooms in the garden are considered ‘wonderfully comfy with everything you could need’, or ‘rather dated’ but ‘adequate and comfortable’. Castle rooms, with sea views, have more character. The staff are ‘friendly but super professional’. ‘Remember to watch the sun set.’
Hotel details
Address
The Garrison
St Mary's
Isles of Scilly
TR21 0JA
England
Telephone
01720 422317
Bedrooms
38. 27 in 2 garden wings.
Open
all year, B&B only Nov–mid-Feb, except New Year (full service).
Facilities
lounge, bar, 2 restaurants, in-room TV (Freeview), civil wedding licence, sun deck, 2-acre gardens, covered swimming pool (12 by 4 metres), vineyard, tennis, beach, golf nearby, unsuitable for disabled.
Background music
none.
Children
all ages welcomed.
Dogs
allowed in garden rooms, lounge, bar, not in restaurants.
Credit cards
Amex, MC, Visa.
Prices
per room B&B single £87–£172, double £149–£424, D,B&B single £115–£200, double £205–£480. Set menu £37–£45, à la carte £42. 1-night bookings usually refused (but call to check).
Other reviews
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Star Castle
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- The Independent: Ten of the best hotels for golfers
Special offers
Autumn full board Special Offer
From 19th October 2020. Everything you need for an indulgent escape, without leaving the castle grounds! Many of the guests choose to visit in late Autumn, when the peace and quiet of the islands and the likelihood of some early autumn sunshine make a break on Scilly irresistible. The full board Autumn break includes; breakfast, hearty homemade soup and sandwiches for lunch (packed or served in the Dungeon bar), a four-course dinner, and daily afternoon tea and cake, together with your chosen newspaper. Autumn Rates: 3 nights from £487 per person – Full board. 4 nights from £650 per person – Full board. (based on two people sharing a Garden Room). To benefit from this offer, please mention The Good Hotel Guide when booking.
Book now
10% discount voucher
This hotel accepts discount vouchers which entitle readers to a 10% discount off their normal B&B rate for a single night’s stay. To take advantage of this offer, you must present the voucher at the time of booking.
Guide Book Vouchers
This hotel accepts discount vouchers which entitle readers to a 25% discount off their normal B&B rate for a single night’s stay. Each printed copy of the Guide contains six vouchers worth in total about £150.
Buy the guide
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