3 Piazza

Set right on St Ives’ Porthmeor Beach, this two-storey apartment sleeps up to six friends or family members right on the sand. Explore St Ives’ twisting cobbled lanes, and the myriad of boutiques, galleries, pubs and eateries, inspired and supplied by the sea. Visit Tate St Ives and the Barbara Hepworth Museum and Sculpture Garden (within 300 metres) and immerse yourself in St Ives’ incredible creative spirit. Learn to surf on Porthmeor Beach’s rolling waves whilst sheltered from the elements. Other beaches nearby are Bamaluz, Porthgwidden and Porthminster Beach (all within a mile). Further afield, Hayle (5 miles) and Penzance (8.5 miles) make good day trips, and the cliff-top Minack Theatre is 18 miles away. St Michael's Mount, a medieval castle on a tidal island near Marazion, is 9 miles away. St Ives holds a Food & Drink Festival in May and a Music & Arts Festival in September.

Inside you’ll find a sweet open-plan space of cool contemporary design, with beautiful wooden floors throughout. Both the ground floor lounge/kitchen/diner and the first-floor king-size bedroom have sea views. The well-equipped kitchen suits home-cooked meals at the dining table. There are two sofas in the lounge, one of which is a double sofa bed. Open-tread stairs lead up to the first floor, where there are two bedrooms, both of which have a TV. The king-size bedroom benefits from an en-suite shower room, guests in the twin room can make use of the soothing family bathroom.

From the lounge, head out on to the wonderful balcony, which is right on the beach. Private access to the beach is available in summer, weather permitting.

Best for families or groups who want to step straight onto the sand, thanks to the private beach access and sea views from both the lounge and the king-size bedroom. Less good for anyone unable to manage the open-tread stairs to the first-floor bedrooms, or for dog owners, since dogs aren't accepted here.

Nearby: Porthmeor Beach (200m) and Porthgwidden Beach (300m). See our St Ives guide for more beaches and walks in the area.