The 6 Best Hotels in St. Ives – Handpicked for You!

St. Ives, Cornwall offers visitors the vacation of a lifetime with its glorious bay views, charming sea views, beautiful St. Ives beaches with golden sands, and numerous fun activities to keep you entertained throughout your stay. After a day of adventure going around St. Ives, nothing is more relaxing than staying in the best luxury hotels this famous destination offers.

Thousands of people come to St. Ives every year. As one of the most visited tourist attractions in the world, it’s no surprise that it has popular luxury hotels that serve as the home away from home of many travellers. Whether you’re looking for luxury hotels with a swimming pool and spa and fantastic sea views or more affordable hotels with comfortable rooms, you can easily find your ideal stay in St. Ives.

Read on to find out more about the best hotels in or near St Ives

1. St. Ives Harbour Hotel and Spa

The Harbour Hotel and Spa is one of the best hotels in St Ives. Located up the Terrace, this world-class hotel is close to St Ives and attractions like the Tate Gallery and Porthminster beach. The luxurious hotel is ideal for anyone driving because it avoids the old town’s perennial gridlock. You can go sightseeing to St Michael’s Mount or Land’s breezily.

Their staff is composed mainly of friendly St Ives locals. Some of its facilities include the terraced HarBar and function rooms. Meanwhile, the spa is located on the ground floor. They have a heated swimming pool with emerald lights, a hot tub, a cedar wood sauna, a gym, and four treatment rooms. 

The building is a Victorian property, and the rooms are not uniform. But, all 50 rooms have Nespresso machines, White Company toiletries, and decanters of complimentary gin and sherry. Bathrooms have white walls, and some have tubs. Some rooms even have decked balconies. Check this out if you are looking for hotels in St Ives.

2. Carbis Bay Hotel and Spa Hotel

Carbis Bay Estate features a fantastic hotel with its privately-owned beach. This hotel is known for its impeccable service, great food, superb spa facilities, and breathtaking views comparable to the best of St Ives.

The building has a backdrop of the award-winning beach, with a landscape of St Ives’ exotic shorelines. It is a favourite wedding destination for couples who want to have a romantic beach wedding. 

Meanwhile, the C Bay Spa is among the best in St Ives. It offers treatments from Voya and Aromatherapy Associates. 

There are 25 acres of soft golden sands waiting for you to explore. Aside from swimming, you can also try bodyboarding, kayaking, and other fun water sports. No wonder it’s one of the best hotels in St Ives!

3. Primrose Valley Hotel

Primrose Valley Hotel, also known as Primrose House, has been in St Ives since 1908. It is an Edwardian building with 11 bedrooms. St Ives’ Porthminster beach, the Harbour, and the centre of St Ives town are just nearby. Its convenient location and free parking make it the perfect place to unwind and enjoy the beauty of the surroundings.

The rooms have a private balcony, flatscreen TV, a hairdryer, complimentary toiletries, and bottled water. Guests will also love the breathtaking sea views from the hotel. If you don’t like staying in overcrowded hotels in St. Ives, the Primrose House is an excellent choice.

4. Porthmeor Sands

Porthmeor Sands joins the list of popular luxury hotels in St. Ives. Located 400 m away from Porthmeor Beach, this lovely coastal property is perfect for families and friends who want to experience seaside living. It can sleep six people with its three bedrooms and two bathrooms. 

The house is very comfortable and inviting with its large kitchen, dining and entertainment equipment, and modern interior. This holiday home allows you to watch all kinds of water sports and enjoy the picturesque beaches at Carbis Bay.

5. Trevose Harbour House

You can find Trevose Harbour House on one of St Ives’ quiet cobbled streets, between the water and the side of the road. You can see a mixture of harbour and street views from the rooms. It is near St Ives’ railway station and St Ives’ centre.

The guesthouse features a contemporary beach-chic and high, classic design at every turn. There are Ercol tables and chairs in the breakfast room with pendant lights with exposed filament bulbs welcoming you when you enter. Meanwhile, stylish bookshelves separate it from an open-plan space.

The lounge-bar area is complete with a vintage drinks cabinet, cocktail seating, an Art Deco sunburst clock, and a bold blue patterned feature wall. The faux fireplace makes the whole place cosier. 

The personal touch of the owners makes for a thoroughly memorable stay. Their other front-of-house staff member also puts in extra effort to improve your visit. All three will chat to you anytime and go to great lengths to help you get the most out of your stay. They are good at giving tips and recommendations, assisting with restaurant bookings, and more.

The guests are offered a welcome drink on arrival. The local gin and tonic work great to start your evening. A cute shared garden terrace with lounge seating is ideal for whiling away under the sun. Parking is in the station car park while free parking is possible once you have a permit. 

6. Host St. Ives

Host St. Ives is one of the most popular luxury hotels in St. Ives. It’s only 450 m away from Porthmeor Beach and 1.4 km from Carbis Bay, while Tate St. Ives is 400 m from the hotel. This 4-star hotel has a bar, free WiFi, and free private parking for driving guests. 

All rooms have air conditioning, flatscreen TV, a seating area, a safety deposit box, and a private bathroom with a shower, slippers, and bathrobes. They also have a kitchenette and dining area in case you prefer fixing yourself something to eat or drink. Some rooms have a patio or a terrace perfect for watching the glorious bay views.

Booking Your St. Ives Hotel

St. Ives never runs out of visitors. This charming destination has tons of tourists, especially during the holidays. Avoid the rush and expensive accommodations by booking your hotel weeks or months before your trip. Check the availability of the best hotels in St. Ives long before your travel date so you can avail some budget-friendly St. Ives hotel deals.

For more information about St Ives, see our full guide.

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About the Author

Jenny Smith

As a young girl growing up in Cornwall, I loved to explore the county and its treasure trove of secret spots. I feel like I know this beautiful area so well and I am keen to share everything I know with you. Please feel free to reach out to me if you have any questions and I will be happy to help!

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