This breathtaking circular penthouse apartment boasts what must surely be the best views in town - wave-pounded beaches, coastal cliffs, Newquay's rooftops - all in full 360-degree splendour, enjoyed (if you wish) from the bubbling warmth of an 8-person hot tub on the terrace! Step inside, into the enormous, round, open-plan living-dining area, and you'll find carefully sourced mid-century designer pieces (Anglepoise lamps, Eames-style armchairs, cowhide rugs) alongside colourful touches (sky blue sofas, a bright red teapot) and retro posters. The styling is both impeccable and instagrammable. Stairs lead down to 4 calm and equally chic double/twin bedrooms, with monsoon showers and stacks of Ren toiletries.
Head outside, and you have one of the best surf spots in the UK at your feet: Fistral Beach. 15 minutes' walk brings you into Newquay, well stocked not just with nightlife and coffee shops, but also more civilised attractions: a zoo with lions and sloths, an aquarium with sharks and pufferfish. Follow the coast path west to lovely Crantock (voted Best British Beach by Coast), or to the endless sands and rugged cliffs of Poly Joke and Holywell, our favourites. A rare dose of urban style amidst stunning Cornish coastal scenery, and an all-round top spot.
Highs
- Perfect for a group of friends wanting to get together in style, or a (large) family (with older children) wanting the best of beach and town
- The wraparound balcony with amazing sea views is a great spot for al fresco drinks and sunbathing on a sunny day
- The gleaming white kitchen has all you need to whip up an intimate dinner party (or ask a pro to)
- The penthouse is wonderfully sunny – and if the clouds do roll in, sit back and watch them from the comfort of your Bond-style pad
- There's masses of space all with amazing sea views with a choice of sitting and dining areas, a work space and a vast master suite
Lows
- Famed for its teenage parties, Newquay lacks the rarefied charm of Padstow or St. Ives; but being right on the Pentire headland puts you far enough away from the melee and right on the doorstep of the National Trust's Crantock Beach
- The apartment is in a quiet residential area but new apartment buildings and shops spring up each year so there can often be building works going on
- The apartment is not ideal for families with younger children (no baby gates) nor for those with poor mobility (e.g. there's no lavatory on the living room level)
- As usual in Cornwall, rentals run from Friday-Friday in July-August, and from Mon-Fri / Fri-Mon at other times
- Apartment rental
- 4 bedrooms
- Self-catering; restaurants nearby
- All ages welcome except toddlers
- Open all year
- Pool
- Spa Treatments
- Beach Nearby
- Babysitting
- Creche / Kids Club
- Parking
- Pet Friendly
- Disabled Access
- Restaurants Nearby
- WiFi
- Air Conditioning
- Guest Lounge
- Terrace
- Garden
- Gym
- Daily Maid Service
- Towels & Bedlinen
Rooms
The 4 big bedrooms are on the lower level of the apartment, each with zip-link beds (i.e. super-kingsize double or twin, as you prefer) and its own bathroom (3 are ensuite, 1 is just outside the room). Expect 400-thread-count Egyptian cotton bedding, sink-into Down pillows and feather duvets, monsoon showers and oodles of REN toiletries.
The master suite is huge – practically an apartment in its own right – and comes with a huge sitting room/tv area, ensuite bathroom with separate shower and tub and a fold-out Ottoman which can be made up as an extra bed. There's also a single sofabed in one of the other bedrooms, meaning it can sleep a maximum of 10.
Although it is quite a way up to the penthouse, pleasingly there is a lift to the bedroom floor; note that the common rooms are up a flight of stairs to the top floor.
Features include:
- Bathrobes
- Hairdryer
- Iron
- Tumble dryer
- Washing machine
- WiFi
Eating
Set on one side - if a circle can have sides - of the open-plan living area, the gleaming white kitchen has all you need to cook up a storm - there's even a separate pizza oven and a wine fridge. Perch on funky blue bar stools at the kitchen island, or adjourn to the handsome table and chairs (one sits 8, the other 4).
To make life easy, pre-order local meat and veg from Trevilley Farm Shop, then pop to Rawle for fresh seafood. Or go the whole hog and hire Michelin-trained Fiona Were, or the brilliant Vicky from Cornish Delicacies, to lay on a beautiful feast, while you relax in the hot tub with a glass of bubbly from the wine cooler.
In terms of eating out, you're spoiled for choice. On Fistral beach, try ever-popular Fish House, or The Stable for good quality pizzas and pies with killer views. There are countless options in town, from pubs to Mexican.
Features include:
- Chef on request
- Dishwasher
- Fridge
- Full kitchen
- Hob or stove
- Microwave
- Oven
- Restaurants nearby
- Shopping service
- Toaster
- Bodum Cafetiere
Activities
- Wander down to Fistral beach to catch a wave (or gawp at the pros); or take surf lessons from Fistral Beach Surf School if you're a novice
- More secluded beaches include National Trust Crantock, a 20-minute walk away; further along the coastal path lie Poly Joke and Holywell
- Head into Newquay (15 mins' walk) for chilled cafés and surf accessories by day, or a youthful party scene by night
- Other activities on offer include sea kayaking, deep sea fishing, coasteering and horse-riding along the beach
- Jump in the car and explore: northeast to the foodie fishing town of Padstow and the windsurfers' mecca of Rock, southwest for the eerie tin mines and wide Atlantic vistas of St. Agnes Heritage Coast
Activities on site or nearby include:
- Birdwatching
- Boat trips
- Fishing
- Golf
- Hiking
- Nightlife
- Shopping / markets
- Surfing
- Windsurfing
Best Time to go
North Cornwall's coastline is stunning whatever the season. You'll get the best weather between May-September, but bear in mind that Newquay's beaches get very busy in July-August. Spring and autumn may bring gorgeous sunshine if you're lucky, though are still likely to be cool. Unsurprisingly, rental rates go up during school holidays. Midweek stays in term-time represent particularly good value, if you're flexible.
Our Top Tips
For a break from the crowds, head to the flat secluded sands of Crantock Beach: a lovely 20-minute stroll via the tidal estuary of the River Gannel. Here you can either walk across the pontoon bridge (at low tide), or take the tiny ferry which operates from May to October (at high), looking out for godwits and greenshanks (wading birds, not a London law firm). On the way back home, stop at the unpretentious Fern Pit Café for fresh crab sandwiches at pretty picnic tables overlooking the river valley.
Location
The apartment is on the top 2 floors of a cylindrical block just outside Newquay in northern Cornwall, overlooking Fistral Beach.
By Car:
It's 4-5 hours' drive from London along the M4-M5-A30-A392. There's underground parking at the apartment.
By Rail:
Trains from London Paddington to Newquay (c.5 hours) changing once at Par; from Newquay station, take a taxi (5 mins).
By Air:
Newquay Airport (20 mins) has some domestic and seasonal international flights; for a wider choice, try Exeter (1.5 hrs), Bristol (2.5 hrs) or London Heathrow (4.5 hrs). If you need a car, see our rental recommendations.
Detailed directions will be sent when you book through i-escape.com.
More on getting to the UK and getting around
Airports:
- Newquay 12.0 km NQY
- Exeter 150.0 km EXE
Other:
- Beach 0.2 km
- Shops 1.0 km
- Restaurant 1.0 km
Our guests' ratings...
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