A privately-owned Cornish coastal retreat tucked away in a tranquil corner of South East Cornwall, the Talland Bay Hotel, is set to steal the limelight in 2017 having scooped a bumper bundle of awards. Recent accolades include taking Silver in the 'Small Hotel of the Year' category at the Cornwall Tourism Awards 2016/17 and Gold in the Taste of the West Awards. This is in addition to being awarded four Stars and two Rosettes from The AA, with head chef Nick Hawke having his sights firmly set on achieving a third.
Boasting a captivating cliff-top setting at Porthallow between Looe and Polperro, the luxury hotel is just yards from the South West Coast Path and Talland Bay beach - a smugglers cove in years gone by. The house dates back to the 16th century and was owned by the Trelawney family – of Bishop Trelawney fame – until 1919.
A hotel since the late 1940s and acquired by Dr and Mrs O'Sullivan in 2015, the 20-room boutique property offers a range of sea view suites, classic rooms, garden rooms and cottages, with pine-fringed lawns stretching down towards the ocean. Each bedroom and reception room is individually and sumptuously styled, with an eclectic mix of furnishings and art. All bedrooms offer flatscreen TVs, crisp bed linen and White Company toiletries.
The superbly stocked bar offers a wide choice of drinks including thirst-quenching Cornish craft beers, a wicked range of gins and sublime selection of cocktails. Perfect for supping at sunset on the terrace, or in front of the fire, before retreating to the restaurant to enjoy the award-winning fare. The fresh, inventive menus are testament to the skill and imagination of head chef, Nick Hawke; having learned his trade under a Michelin starred chef, he leads a kitchen team dedicated to raising the culinary bar whilst showcasing the finest foodie fodder from the most talented regional producers.
There is an air of magic in the cornucopia of sculptures decorating the grounds, combined with secret footpaths, sunny terraces, exquisite foliage and pretty walled gardens. Arguably what sets this Cornish sanctuary apart however is the outstanding levels of hospitality and customer service that complement the amazing location.
