Chydour

Hotel Description

You know what? I wasn’t expecting much when I first pulled up to Chydour in Penzance – honestly, the name doesn’t exactly roll off the tongue, and from the street it looks pretty understated. But this place actually surprised me in the best way possible. It’s one of those boutique hotels that feels like someone’s stylish aunt decided to open her gorgeous Victorian house to guests, which isn’t far from the truth when you think about it.

The location is honestly brilliant, even if it doesn’t scream “look at me” like some of the seafront places. You’re tucked away enough that you won’t get the late-night revelers stumbling past your window (trust me, Chapel Street can get pretty lively on weekends), but you can still walk to the harbor in about five minutes. I mean, you’re close enough to pop down to the Turk’s Head for a proper Cornish pasty, but far enough from the tourist chaos that you actually feel like you’re staying somewhere locals might recommend. The train station’s walkable too – maybe ten minutes with luggage, which is actually pretty convenient since Penzance parking can be… well, let’s just say it’s not always straightforward.

What really gets me about Chydour is the attention to detail that you don’t usually see outside of those ridiculously expensive country house hotels. The rooms have this perfect balance of period character (gorgeous high ceilings, original features that haven’t been painted over seventeen times) and modern comfort that actually works. The beds are properly comfortable – not just Instagram-pretty with rock-hard mattresses underneath. And honestly, the breakfast situation is excellent. I’m talking local suppliers, decent coffee that doesn’t taste like it’s been sitting around since yesterday, and they actually know how to cook eggs properly. Little things like that matter when you’re planning to explore the Penwith peninsula all day and need fuel that’ll last.

The staff genuinely seem to know the area too, which is rarer than you’d think. They pointed me toward some brilliant coastal walks I never would’ve found otherwise – not just the obvious Land’s End tourist trail, but proper local spots where you might see seals without fighting through crowds. One of them even warned me about the tide times at Sennen, which saved me from getting properly soaked. That kind of local knowledge is worth its weight in gold, especially if you’re only in Cornwall for a few days and want to make them count.

Look, it’s not the cheapest option in Penzance, but honestly? The 8.8 rating makes complete sense once you’ve stayed here. It’s that sweet spot where you get genuine quality without feeling like you’re paying for marble bathrooms you don’t actually need. If you want to be right in the thick of things on the seafront, this might not be your spot – but if you appreciate somewhere that feels thoughtfully run rather than just efficiently processed, Chydour’s definitely worth considering. Plus, you’ll probably sleep better here than at those places where you can hear every seagull having an argument at 5 AM.

Facilities