The fun begins in the sculpture-studded subtropical garden at this dog-friendly clifftop hotel, and runs through everything, from the ambience to the decor.

In 'the most idyllic location', cascading down the cliffs at St Mawes with views to St Anthony's lighthouse, Olga Polizzi's seaside hotel continues to delight readers. Once home to a yacht club, it is spread across a cluster of houses.

'Hotel settings don't get much more spectacular than the Polurrian's, on the cliff edge overlooking its own beach,' writes a guide insider. The relaxed family and dog-friendly hotel makes the most of the coastal views.

Hidden in a back street of Padstow's old town, these sybaritic B&B suites, created by chef Paul Ainsworth and his wife, are an ideal retreat for foodies.

It's blue heaven, on a sunny day, to sit on the terrace of this adults-only, 1930s hotel overlooking a white-sand Blue Flag beach and the clear waters of St Ives Bay, with a chilled glass of wine or a cream tea.

Meandering down to a private beach, glorious sub-tropical gardens enfold this secluded Victorian mansion.

Overlooking an iconic surfers' beach, this adults-only spa hotel has a wide choice of rooms from very affordable to luxurious with sea-view balcony.

A hip, youthful vibe permeates this quirky hotel and local hangout above the harbour, with beach-shack chic bedrooms, café, cocktail bar and curated art collection.

Gorgeous interiors and a friendly, informal ambience are a winning combination at Susan Stuart's beautiful B&B, where every bedroom has a sea view, and breakfast is quite special.

In 25 acres of mature grounds, this handsome stone manor house has seven chic bedrooms with emperor bed and home-made treats, a relaxing lounge, friendly staff who deliver a much-praised breakfast with a smile.

Overlooking the beach and harbour in a fishing village, this updated Edwardian hotel offers bedrooms decorated in a soothing, muted coastal palette, while in the restaurant you can dine from short, highly creative menus of seasonal Cornish produce.

There are 'great views of the Camel Estuary' from this 1920s, family-friendly hotel that is 'virtually on the famous golf course'.

The Fowey estuary washes around the rear terrace at this white stucco Victorian hotel with boutique-chic bedrooms in restful shades, and restaurant serving classic dishes with a modern twist.

The old, pointy-gabled Victorian Summerleaze Court Hotel hardly knows itself these days, with its cool New England style and sunny terrace above a sandy surfers' beach.

With a waterside terrace, coolly stylish interiors, well-equipped bedrooms and a chef who honed his craft in Raymond Blanc's kitchen, this Edwardian hotel in a fishing village on the Fal estuary is the place to idle away blissful days.

An iconic white Victorian hotel on a cliff-top is today a dog- and family-friendly hotel with spa, outdoor pool, informal bar dining, and more ambitious cooking in the Atlantic View restaurant.

Avowedly family-friendly and fun yet stylish, this hotel with spa occupies a Baroque Victorian mansion in five acres above the Fowey estuary.

If you can't get enough of the freshest of seafood at this restaurant-with-rooms, you can learn to prepare your own lobster for grilling and the perfect hollandaise sauce at Rick Stein's cookery school across the road.

With golf, tennis, kayaking and powerboating, indoor pool and outdoor hot tub, this spa hotel in 65 acres of garden and woodland on the Helford river is a holiday resort in its own right.

Victorian features blend with modern comforts and contemporary style at this B&B, where breakfast choices might include a Mumbai classic of eggs Kejriwal, alongside a full English or veggie.

Chef-owner farmers Tom Adams and April Bloomfield draw inspiration from European agriturismo at their rustic-chic guest house and restaurant in an ancient farmhouse and outbuildings.

Occupying the entire second floor of a Victorian house just yards from the beach, this chic B&B offers privacy and plenty of space.

Owned and run by hospitality professionals with a passion for provenance and sustainability, this white-stuccoed 19th-century boutique guest house overlooking the harbour has light-and-airy interiors and paintings by St Ives artists.

There are splendid views across the causeway to St Michael's Mount from some of the simple, chic bedrooms, styled in coastal colours, and the glass-walled restaurant at this beachfront hotel.

This coastal inn in a hillside village has smart contemporary interiors, bedrooms styled in marine shades, a menu of grills and classic fare, and guest use of spa, pool and salon at the Carbis Bay Hotel.

Life on the water's edge doesn't come much closer than at this large hotel, the oldest in the maritime town.

With spectacular views to St Michael's Mount, this former coaching inn is a relaxed, good-value, family-run hotel with public bar and restaurant moments from the great sweep of Mount's Bay.

A landmark Victorian building above Fistral Bay, this hotel is a mix of the grand and contemporary, with pools and spa treatments, a golf course, surf school, bedrooms in coastal colours, refined and informal dining.