Kenton

The Kenton is a family-run guest house on the clifftops at Porth, on the edge of Newquay, run by the same family for the past 80 years. It has multiple room types, including doubles, twins and family rooms, most with a TV, hairdryer and tea and coffee facilities. Check-in runs from 15:00 and check-out is 10:30. Rated 9.4 from 365 reviews on Booking.com, with a 9.7 score for staff.

Most rooms look out over the bay and Porth Island, and the lounge and bar share the same panoramic sea view. A licensed bar and games room with billiards and darts are available, breakfast covers full English/Irish, vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free options, and dogs are welcome throughout. As a family-run guest house, the team offers a more personal style of service than a larger hotel.

Whipsiderry Beach is around 100 metres away, and Watergate Bay is a 30-minute walk or five-minute drive, with a cliff path linking the two. Newquay Zoo and the Blue Reef Aquarium are both within a 10-minute drive, and no part of Cornwall is more than an hour's drive from the door.

Best for couples and families wanting sea views and a beach on the doorstep, within a short drive of Newquay's zoo and aquarium. Less good for guests wanting a peaceful base, since the on-site bar and games room bring some evening activity.