Sometimes you visit a place and you simply never want to leave. The Scarlet Hotel in Mawgan Porth is one of those places.
Perched high above a beautiful rugged bay on the coast of my favourite part of Cornwall, The Scarlet and its sister hotel Bedruthan are everything that’s right about hotels. Both have that ‘je ne sais quoi’, but The Scarlet has it in bucketloads.
When you arrive at The Scarlet Hotel and walk in the door,, you are confronted with a glass window wall with the most stunning view imaginable. The building meets the coastline seamlessly. Talk about ‘The WOW factor’! There’s no front desk here either, although a member of staff pops out to meet you within seconds. It kind of feels like you’re dropping into a friend’s house and they welcome you at the door as such.
From the decor to the chilled ambience, the mouthwatering food, the friendly just-right staff and the eclectic mix of furniture and artwork, The Scarlet Hotel has been my favourite hotel virtually since it opened ten years ago.
The Scarlet Hotel & Spa
The Scarlet Spa is another piece-de-resistance’. Amongst other things, it has breathtaking ocean views from the relaxation room, an outdoor cliff-top hot tub to die for and luxury tented treatment rooms aplenty. I went to one of the guided meditation classes on offer as it was included in the spa day price. It was a real eye-opener. I’ve been struggling with getting mindfulness right for a while now but the tips and advice Sebastian offered have been really helpful.
The Scarlet is an eco-hotel so not only is it a pretty much perfect luxury hotel but you actually feel like you’re giving something back too. The environment is considered at all times. There’s a reed-bed outdoor swimming pool and the indoor one is cleansed by low-dosage bromine. The toiletries are natural and additive free and they source their food and other products responsibly. They are very much aware of their carbon footprint and do what they can, year on year, to reduce it.
They champion the cause of sustainability but not in a smug hectoring fashion. The Scarlet is luxurious, contemporary, serene and very special.
Just Right
Last time we visited, we stayed in a Spacious room but this time we were in the Just Right one. It was a little bit smaller but still had a spectacular view and was just as stylish. No need to worry if you haven’t got the budget to go for the top-end rooms as all the rooms are top-notch.
Dining in the restaurant means sunset views pretty much wherever you sit. I love the way the chairs are angled slightly so that no-one has to eat with their backs to the Atlantic ocean. Breakfast was my favourite. Three courses, a different menu every day and all cooked freshly just for you and served to your table. None of your breakfast buffet nonsense with overcooked eggs and not particularly warm food.
Our mini-break was short but oh so very sweet. If I could I’d go back in a flash. Better start saving methinks …
