The Best Places to Stay in St Ives, West Cornwall
If you’re wondering what the best places to stay in St Ives are, this article can help!
St Ives is a beautiful town in Cornwall, South West England. It’s famous for its beautiful beaches and great surf, but it’s also got a renowned art culture, with the Hepworth Sculpture Garden and the TATE, a famous art museum. Plus, St Ives has a wonderful food scene – with everything from Cornish pasties to international dishes. Unsurprisingly, it is one of the best Cornwall staycation destinations!
I’ve thoroughly explored this West Cornwall town and its many accommodation options on my trips there, and I’ve found quite a few hotels, guesthouses, and holiday parks to share with you – from luxury cottages and modern hotels to historic B&Bs.
These select hotels have all been chosen for their customer service and comfort – there’s a range of budgets, so some are perfect for a budget stay, whereas others are great for luxury travellers. So, if you’re wondering where to stay in St Ives, this article’s all you need!
Why stay in St Ives?
First, why stay in St Ives? This Cornish town is like no other in South West England. It has glorious beaches, with fabulous sea views everywhere you look and a quaint town centre. However, there’s certainly something that sets is apart from everywhere else in Cornwall.
St Ives has been a popular artists’ retreat since the 19th century, and there are plenty of artistic things you can enjoy here. From the Tate St Ives to the Barabara Hepworth Museum, art enthusiasts will love experiencing this chic town.
St Ives became a town for art lovers due to its incredible beauty. Artists all over the country – and world – recognized how stunning it is and wanted to share it in their pictures. You’ll be able to enjoy this on a trip here as well.
Recently, St Ives has become the gastronomical capital of Cornwall. There is an abundance of showstopping restaurants to choose from in town, serving everything from fabulous breakfasts to the best burgers this side of the Tamar!
And, of course, its beaches are incredible. From Porthminster Beach to Carbis Bay to nearby Porthkidney Beach, each has its own charm, and crawling St Ives’ beaches is certainly among the best things to do in Cornwall. Whether you’re a surfer, a coastal hiker or just want to enjoy the sun, you’ll love St Ives’ golden sands.
Because of the relatively warm weather, the impressive water views from every angle, the delightful chic town centre, the wonderful walking routes around the coast, and the tempting food, St Ives has earned a stellar reputation as one of the best tourist towns in the whole of Cornwall – and the whole country. Take a look and see for yourself!
The cons of staying in St Ives
There are a few cons of staying in St Ives – although, in my opinion, the spectacular views and laid back culture make up for them!
One is the fact that it is such a famous town. This means that it gets very crowded in the summer. I’d recommend visiting in Spring to avoid this. Read more about when to visit Cornwall here.
Also, accommodation can get very expensive here – again, in the popular summer months. If you visit during shoulder season, you should find it ok.
One last negative is that St Ives is very far west in Cornwall, so it’s a long drive time from most places in the UK. However, this might be just what you want – West Cornwall is exceptionally charming, and it’s an ideal stop if you’re doing a road trip around Cornwall. Just know that it will take a while to get here from anywhere outside Cornwall – but it will be worth it.
All of the best places to stay in St Ives
Popular Hotels in St Ives
Tregenna Castle Resort Hotel
Tregenna Castle Resort Hotel sits just out of the town and has beautiful views of St Ives’ coastline.
The three-star hotel has double and twin rooms and suites, with an outdoor and indoor pool and an 18 hole golf course. It is one of the best family hotels in the area because of its many facilities.
There are also two local restaurants serving spectacular food, and as well as gardens with subtropical plants. It’s within walking distance to the town and St Ives Station.
See rates and book your stay here.
The Western
The Western is a historic Cornish property – it was a coaching house and has been a St Austell brewery hotel since the 1800s. This means that there are plenty of stories to hear about from within its walls!
It’s a cosy accommodation with a range of rooms – including double rooms, family rooms, and single rooms. All are cleaned to perfection and kitted out with all the facilities you’ll need during your trip to St Ives.
A hearty breakfast is included in your room rate, and you can enjoy dinner on-site each night – the bar hosts live music from Cornish artists most evenings. If you want to try some other food places out, the Western is only a short walking distance to restaurants around the town.
Book your stay at The Western here.
Pedn-Olva St Ives Harbour Hotel
Pedn Olva Hotel is one of the most popular hotels in St Ives, perhaps because of its desirable location. The hotel is situated on the granite rocks of St Ives near Porthminster Beach, with lovely views over the harbour and the town.
Pedn Olva Hotel has 30 bedrooms, each awash with natural light and some with stunning sea views. Each room has its own deluxe en-suite bathroom. There is a restaurant on site that serves delicious locally sourced cuisine.
Click here for more information about Pedn Olva Hotel.
Lifeboat Inn
Located close to Porthmeor Beach, the Lifeboat Inn is a traditional Cornish harbour pub with panoramic sea views. Because it’s so authentic, it’s definitely one of the best places to stay in St Ives!
It’s close to all of St Ives’ main attractions, like the Barbara Hepworth Sculpture Garden and the Tate.
The rooms are modern and unique, decorated with traditional features like Cornish tartan and large windows permitting a lot of natural light.
There is also a dining restaurant and bar on-site, and a delicious breakfast is served each morning.
Check out this link for more information about the Lifeboat Inn.
Trevose Harbour House
Trevose Harbour House is a boutique guesthouse in the heart of the town. They have a strong focus on sustainability, using organic local produce and recycling or upcycling a lot of their furniture.
The rooms are cosy yet classy, with magnificent views over St Ives’ beautiful beaches and everything you’ll need for a comfortable stay.
The welcoming staff will go above and beyond to ensure that your stay at Trevose Harbour House is exceptional!
Click here for more information about Trevose Harbour House.
Primrose House
A short stroll from Porthminster Beach is Primrose House, a coastal property that is in an ideal location to enjoy St Ives town.
It has a history spanning back to 1908 and nowadays is a well-appointed accommodation that still retains many traditional features.
It’s a boutique hotel, but it still has a cosy, homely interior and an on site bar. There is free parking for guests at this hotel.
Click here to read more about Primrose House.
Saltwater
Saltwater is a great value seaside hotel – you can get some good rates here, but it has trendy beach-themed rooms in various styles.
All of the rooms at Saltwater are bright and airy, with en suite bathrooms. A delicious breakfast is served each morning, and there is free wifi throughout the property and parking for guests.
Read more about Saltwater here.
Cheap Hotels in St Ives
The Queens Hotel
The Queens Hotel is located in St Ives’ only gastropub. They serve delicious breakfast, lunch and dinner downstairs, as well as plenty of local drinks.
Upstairs, there are ten newly refurbished bedrooms with vintage furniture and local Cornish artwork hanging on the walls.
Click here to read more about the Queens Hotel.
The Balnoon Inn
The Balnoon Inn is located a five-minute drive or 40-minute walk from St Ives. It’s a cosy accommodation – a friendly, family-run country inn with bed and breakfast options. Rooms are comfortable and offer all the conveniences you’ll need at much lower rates than you’ll find in the town, making the Balnoon Inn a friendly budget option!
You can enjoy a Cornish breakfast on-site every morning, and there’s Cornish tea and coffee on offer in the rooms. There’s also daily housekeeping and free wifi across the premises, and plenty of parking for guests.
Check out this link to see more information about the Balnoon Inn.
Self-Catering Properties in St Ives
St Ives Holiday Village
St Ives Holiday Village is a holiday park close to St Ives. It encompasses more than one hundred acres of woodland, with various self-catering accommodation options, including woodland chalets and lodges, all with full kitchens, lounging areas and bedrooms.
St Ives Holiday Village is a great place to stay with children – although it’s lots of fun for adults too! On the caravan site, there’s an indoor pool with a flume, as well as a woodland nature trail to see some of the best surrounding nature. You could easily spend days just chilling at the caravan park, but it’s also only a short drive from St Ives central!
Read more about St Ives Holiday Village here.
Leo’s Cottage
Leo’s Cottage is one of the best places to stay in St Ives if you’re in a group. It is a lovely holiday accommodation very close to Porthmeor Beach, and is the ideal base for families or groups while you explore St Ives, with fabulous sea views from the windows.
There’s a kitchen, lounge and three bedrooms on site – this holiday cottage can sleep up to seven people, as the lounge contains a sofa bed. If you’re visiting St Ives with a pet, you’ll love Leo’s Cottage – it’s completely pet-friendly.
Click here to read more about Leo’s Cottage and book your stay.
Where to Stay Near St Ives: Hotels in Carbis Bay
Carbis Bay is one mile east from St Ives. It has a fantastic family-friendly beach as it’s north-east facing and has calm waters. It’s also worth visiting to enjoy the spectacular views and beach walks – at low tide, you can walk from here to Porthkidney Beach.
Carbis Bay and Spa Hotel
Carbis Bay Hotel is a luxury accommodation that is one of the most romantic hotels in all of Cornwall. It’s a four star property in the heart of Carbis Bay, with fantastic views over the Atlantic Ocean.
The rooms at Carbis Bay Hotel are spacious and bright, some with balconies and others with luxury features like roll-top baths. All rooms are decorated to a high standard.
There are two on-site restaurants: Sands serves delicious local produce and the Conservatory offers cocktails and tapas, as well as afternoon tea.
There’s also a spa and wellness centre on-site, offering various treatments.
There is free parking for guests at this hotel.
Click here for more information about Carbis Bay and Spa Hotel.
Downsfield Bed and Breakfast
Downsfield Bed and Breakfast is a cosy hotel with comfortable, homely rooms. You can also opt to stay in a luxury shepherd’s hut – a self-contained accommodation option on the grounds, and certainly one of the cosier options in St Ives!
A splendid breakfast is cooked up each day and included in your room rate. This property is a 10-minute walk from Carbis Bay.
Read more about Downsfield Bed and Breakfast here.
Beechwood House
Beechwood House is a 10-minute walk from Carbis Bay. It’s a small, family-run guesthouse with spacious, clean rooms and a lovely breakfast each morning.
The guesthouse is family-run and has helpful staff who will advise you with any queries about tourism in the area.
Here’s some more information about Beechwood House.
Boskerris Hotel
Boskerris Hotel is one of Carbis Bay’s most popular hotels, with a history spanning back to 1931. Nowadays, it is a stylish beach hotel decorated in Mediterranean style, with fifteen bedrooms, most with sweeping views of the coastline.
Breakfast and hot coffee and tea is served at Boskerris Hotel each morning – and you can also enjoy afternoon tea, dinner and drinks while overlooking the beautiful seaside.
Click here to read more about Boskerris Hotel.
Headland House Luxury B&B
Headland House Luxury B&B is one of the most popular luxury hotels in the area. It’s a small four star hotel, with nine boutique guest rooms, each with its own individual charm. Enjoy features like beach themed decor and roll top baths in the deluxe bathrooms and stunning sea views from some of the bedrooms.
On-site, there’s a wonderful sun terrace and beautiful plant-filled gardens with subtropical plants, which is the ideal place for breakfast. Don’t worry if it rains – there’s also a bright breakfast room. Breakfasts are seasonal, and there are weekly specials, with organic and local produce where possible.
Headland House Luxury B&B is the ideal place to stay to get away from it all while being just a stone’s throw from the stylish beach of Carbis Bay and the amenities of St Ives.
Click here for more information about Headland House Luxury B&B.
I hope this list of hotels in St Ives has been helpful to you! I recommend making hotel reservations on Booking.com, as they are a tried and tested website with good refund policies. You can also often find hotel deals on Booking, especially if you have an account there!
