Boscundle Manor Hotel Restaurant and Spa

Set on a sprawling expanse of private land and surrounded by lush gardens, the brick-and-stone Boscundle Manor bears a strong resemblance to a real-life storybook cottage. It was built in the 18th century as two attached houses with detached barns, where it served as the residence of the captain of one of Cornwall's most prosperous coal mines. The reception is small yet functional, but guests really begin to understand the personality of the hotel in the lounge and dining rooms. The exact design style is hard to pin down. It’s a mash-up of classical and contemporary that pairs antique-looking furniture with modern colors and patterns. The bar has a rustic, mid-century modern vibe, while the breakfast room (which is located in a sunroom) feels more tropical. The look is, in a word, eclectic, and while the decor doesn't match, it coordinates well. 

Boscundle Manor is approximately an eight-minute drive to the city center of St. Austell in a location that lends itself to exploring much of Cornwall easily by car. There are four beaches and 10 towns in the area. The nearest beach, Porthpean, is a 10-minute drive away. The Eden Project, an eco park with a collection of plants from all over the world, is a five-minute drive away. Top-rated restaurants in the immediate vicinity all seem to be located inside other hotels, but there are a lot more dining options in the center St. Austell, 12 minutes away by car. 

There are 14 guest rooms on the property and no two are the same. Each bears a woman’s name rather than a number, and all have distinct personalities. Charlotte is a small, ultra-feminine room with black, white, and pink decor that even spans to the tiles in the bathroom. By contrast, Demelza is a spacious one-bedroom unit accented in teal blue decor, with a full kitchen, a living room, and a hot tub. Some of the decor can feel a bit overpowering, such as the rainbow-colored bed runner and purple bolsters paired with vivid red wallpaper in the Scarlett room. The range of room sizes and the fact that some are detached from the main house makes it easy to accommodate couples, families, and guests with dogs without feeling crowded. All rooms have flat-screen TVs and mini-fridges. Bathrooms are equipped with luxury bath products and there are cozy spa robes in the closet.

The hotel's award-winning restaurant offers free breakfast in a lovely sunroom and dinner in a formal dining room. There are only eight tables available for dinner, so reservations are recommended. There’s also a full bar and lounge in the main house. The hotel pool is situated inside a building decorated like an oversized cabana, and while it’s charming it is not very spacious. The Spa @ Boscundle is an excellent feature that rounds out the property as a destination hotel. It has a full menu of services, many of which use organic products made in Cornwall. Although the property doesn't offer much in terms of business facilities, Wi-Fi is free throughout the hotel.