Carbis Bay Hotel

Carbis Bay Hotel and Estate is a five-star hotel on its own Blue Flag beach at Carbis Bay, a mile round the coast from St Ives. The estate runs down to the sand, so beach access is private rather than shared with the coast path crowds - the reason it was chosen to host the G7 summit in 2021.

Accommodation is split across the Main House hotel and a spread of self-contained options: beach lodges and suites directly above the sand, beach houses, valley cottages, and glamping pods higher up the estate. Rates and layouts vary widely between them, so pick the accommodation type before comparing prices.

Dining runs to MOR by Tom Sellers, Walter's on the Beach, the Beach Club restaurant and the Orangery, with the Gannet Inn and Basset Arms also on the estate. C Bay Spa has a fitness studio and treatment rooms, and the hotel runs a kids' club through the main holiday periods.

Porthmeor Beach and Tate St Ives are both in St Ives, reachable on foot along the coast path in about 40 minutes or by the branch-line train from Carbis Bay station. The estate address is TR26 2NP, on the St Ives side of the bay.

Best for guests who want beach access, spa and several restaurants without leaving the site, and for larger groups who can use the self-catering lodges rather than hotel rooms. Less good for anyone on a tight budget, or wanting a small independent hotel - this is a large estate with weddings, conferences and events running alongside guest stays.