Sapphire

Sapphire is a ground-floor two-bedroom apartment in Carbis Bay, part of the Carbis Beach Apartments complex on Beach Road. The apartment sleeps four across two bedrooms and has two bathrooms. Carbis Bay beach - a sheltered, south-facing sand beach - is 400 metres away on foot.

The apartment comes with a private balcony and access to a shared garden. A pub or shop is within a mile. Inside: wifi, dishwasher, washing machine, and allocated parking are all included. Two bathrooms mean no queuing for four guests, which matters on a Saturday changeover when you want to get straight to the beach. The ground-floor access is level throughout - no stairs to negotiate with luggage or pushchairs.

St Ives is about a mile along the South West Coast Path, with the Tate St Ives gallery sitting directly above Porthmeor beach at the far end of the walk. Porthminster Beach - calmer than Porthmeor and popular with families - is 1.1 miles east. Porthkidney Beach, on the Hayle estuary side, is 1.1 miles away.

Best for couples or families of four who want a flat-access, low-effort base close to the beach without the bustle of St Ives itself. Less good for those who need dog-friendly accommodation.