Esplanade Hotel

Hotel Description

Look, I’ve stayed at a lot of places along the Cornish coast, but the Esplanade Hotel honestly surprised me in the best way. You walk up and it’s this proper Victorian building right there overlooking Fistral Beach – I mean literally right there, like you could probably throw a surfboard from your window and hit the sand. The location is actually ridiculous (in a good way) because you’re basically sleeping above one of the UK’s most famous surf breaks.

What I really loved about this place is how it manages to feel both polished and relaxed at the same time. The rooms are genuinely nice – not trying to be boutique-y or over-designed, just comfortable with those big windows that let you watch the surfers first thing in the morning. And you know what? The 8.4 rating makes total sense once you’re there. The staff actually seem to enjoy their jobs, which isn’t always a given at seaside hotels, and they know their stuff about the area. When I asked about tide times, the guy at reception didn’t just point me to a chart – he told me exactly when the waves would be best and which end of the beach to hit.

The thing about staying right on Fistral is that you’re in the thick of it all, especially during summer when the surf schools and beach bars are buzzing. It can get a bit lively (read: noisy) on weekend evenings, but honestly, that’s part of the charm – you’re staying at a proper surf town hotel, not some sterile chain place. Plus, if you want quieter vibes, the headland walks are literally on your doorstep. I’d wander up toward the Headland Hotel area in the evenings, and it’s like a completely different world up there. Parking can be a bit of a nightmare during peak season – the hotel has spaces but they fill up fast, and the public car parks around Fistral get expensive. My advice? If you’re coming in July or August, get there early in the day or be prepared to park up the hill and walk down. The breakfast was actually really good too – proper full English with local sausages, and they do decent coffee which isn’t always guaranteed at seaside spots. I mean, it’s not going to blow your mind, but it sets you up nicely for a day on the beach or exploring Newquay proper.

Facilities