St Mawes, United Kingdom
Renovated
1998
Price
$$$
Rated for
Design Luxe LocalOutside the door
The house
The Polizzi CollectionMaritime cottage cove
Hillside whitewashed cottages step down toward Tavern Beach, where guests sip Champagne by open fires or set sail on classic yachts.
What it’s good at
Remarkable
Whitewashed seaside cottages feature Roman god mosaics, Penzance antiques, Cornish art, and tongue-and-groove paneling.
Notable
Champagne on arrival, attentive coastal hospitality, and private charters aboard the classic 1930s racing yacht Pinuccia.
Notable
Fresh Porthilly oysters and St Mawes catch served alongside curated Cornish art overlooking St Anthony's Lighthouse.
What they say
One Michelin Key
Michelin
UK Readers' Choice Awards – The best hotels in the rest of the UK
Condé Nast Traveler
2025
It’s the interiors, though, that attract attention, as you might expect; not at all Forte-style luxury chic, the style is something a little more homegrown.
Somewhere quiet
Away from the crowds. Getting around takes intention.
Perched on the waterfront road, the cottages look across Falmouth Bay, within easy walking distance of the St Mawes harbor.
The rooms
Sea-facing bedrooms pair striped and floral fabrics with retro armchairs, wood stoves, and wide bay views across the water.
The sauna
An outdoor timber sauna cabin sits on the stone terrace, tucked behind manicured garden hedges.
Gym and treatments
A white-paneled fitness studio houses cardio equipment, and dedicated treatment rooms host organic Inlight therapies.
The Restaurant & Terrace
Tables on the south-facing terrace look across Falmouth Bay, serving fresh seafood and seasonal Cornish dishes.
At the table
The Dogs' Bar gathers around an open brick fireplace, pouring cocktails alongside casual dining plates.
How it began
Created as a 1940s yachtsman club, the property was restored by designer Olga Polizzi into a cluster of coastal houses.
Good to know
Stay here
Hotel Tresanton
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St Mawes
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Our shorthand
How we rate hotels.
The medals
Gold
Extremely rare. Sets the global standard.
Silver
Brilliant execution. And we’re picky.
Bronze
They did this well. You’ll notice.
Listed
A defining trait. Makes the hotel what it is.
The eight vibes
Design
Built around a vision. Even the door handles have a designer.
Luxe
Cared for at every turn. The bath is drawn before you ask.
Local
It could only be here. You wake up knowing where you are.
Social
Where the city goes out. The bar is full and the night is young.
Heritage
A building with a story. Once a palace, a monastery, a station.
Wellness
You leave feeling new. Rest, sweat, soak and sleep like a stone.
Classic
The city grew up with it. Same rituals, same regulars, same bar.
Resort
A world of its own. Something to do from breakfast to nightcap.
The scene
Lively
Where things happen: restaurants, shops, people.
Central
Well-located: walkable to some things, a short ride to more.
Quiet
Away from the crowds. Getting around takes intention.
Secluded
A place apart: the property is the destination.