Azenor House, St Ives

Hotel Description

You know what struck me first about Azenor House? The address – Street an Pol – which is actually Cornish for “Street of the Pool.” I mean, how perfectly St Ives is that? This 4-star spot sits right in the thick of things, literally a two-minute amble to the harbor where you’ll find yourself dodging seagulls and tourists with equal enthusiasm.

The thing about staying here is you’re properly in old St Ives, not tucked away in some modern development up the hill. From some rooms you can actually hear the gentle clatter of rigging from the boats moored below – honestly, it’s either charming or mildly annoying depending on how well you sleep (and how much Cornish ale you had at the Sloop Inn the night before). The building itself has that solid Victorian feel without being stuffy about it. Staff seem to genuinely know the area too, which matters when you’re trying to figure out whether it’s worth the trek to Porthmeor Beach or if you should just stick to the harbor beaches.

What I really appreciated was the practical stuff nobody tells you about. Parking in St Ives is basically a blood sport during summer, but they’ve got arrangements sorted – not glamorous, but functional. The rooms are what you’d expect from a well-run 4-star: comfortable beds, proper showers, and windows that actually open (crucial when you want that sea air without the full coastal gale experience). Some face the maze of narrow streets that wind through the old town, others catch glimpses of the water between rooftops. The Wi-Fi works, which honestly puts it ahead of half the places I’ve stayed in Cornwall.

Location-wise, you’re about thirty seconds from the Tate St Ives if you’re into that sort of thing, and the same distance from proper Cornish pasty shops if you’re more practically minded. The famous Barbara Hepworth Museum is practically next door. But here’s what’s actually useful – you can walk to three different beaches without breaking a sweat, the morning light on Porthminster Beach is genuinely spectacular if you’re up early enough, and when the day-trippers clear out around 5 PM, you’ve got the run of one of Cornwall’s most photogenic towns.

Is it perfect? Well, it’s St Ives in a Victorian building, so don’t expect palatial rooms or hushed hotel corridors. You’ll hear people coming and going, especially during festival season or summer weekends. But that’s sort of the point – you’re staying in a living, breathing fishing town that just happens to be ridiculously picturesque. The 8/10 rating feels about right; it’s exactly what it promises to be without any nasty surprises. If you want sterile luxury, book somewhere else. If you want to actually experience St Ives rather than just observe it from a distance, Azenor House puts you right where you need to be.

Rooms

• Estimated price from: $282. Four-Bedroom House with 1 large double bed, 2 × 1 double bed, 2 single beds and 2 sofa beds for Max persons: 10

Reviews

• Susan from United Kingdom – 15 December 2024 (9/10)

  Location superb in the midst of all that St Ives has to offer.

• Peter from United Kingdom – 19 June 2024 (8/10)

  It was lovely and big. Comfy chairs and sofas. Location excellent.
  
  What could be improved: If owners are actually asking for improvents. You need to keep on top of those small snags (wobbly door knobs and stuck sliding doors etc) Also the few outdoor areas that there are need to be kept cleaner and clutter free.

• Judith from United Kingdom – 15 May 2024 (7/10)

  It's a very good location close to restaurants and the beach. The house was spacious, and the kitchen well equipped.
  
  What could be improved: The terrace is difficult to use as it suffers from seagull mess.

• Erika from France – 7 March 2024 (8/10)

  The house was beautifully decorated. It's a very spacious home fit for family and/or friends. It has everything you could need. I apreciate the communication with agency as they always responded quickly. Location was great as it was in the city center. Walking distance to everything – shopping, restaurants, grocery store, beaches, port, etc.
  
  What could be improved: Lack of parking. There is 1 parking space available about 15-20 minutes walking (up hill to grt yo from the home). We prefered the nearby parking which was of course at a cost but since we had little ones, was much easier.
  
  Small detail but it would have been nice to have hand towels in the toilets for after hand washing.
  
  We stayed from Friday to Sunday so was a bit short. For those of yiu with light sleepers and would like some quiet rest, select a bedroom that is towards the back of the home for a quieter night. There are single paned windows in the front of the home and with a delivery to the restaurant just next to the house, the 6am noises of the trucks and employees talking was less than peaceful for the couple who stayed in the front facing bedroom.

• Razzak from United Kingdom – 25 August 2023 (8/10)

  Location
  
  What could be improved: Bed

• James from United Kingdom – 29 July 2023 (8/10)

  Everything was lovely and we really enjoyed our stay
  
  What could be improved: Nothing

• Lynette from United Kingdom – 4 October 2024 (8/10)

• Rebecca from United Kingdom – 22 November 2024 (8/10)

SURROUNDINGS

Facilities