Gannet Watch

Hotel Description

You know what caught me off guard about Gannet Watch? The name actually makes perfect sense once you’re there – I mean, you’re literally perched on Coverack’s headland watching the gannets dive-bomb into the sea below. It’s one of those moments where you realize whoever named this place actually lived here, not just slapped something coastal-sounding on a map.

The apartment sits in what feels like the sweet spot of Coverack – close enough to the harbor that you can hear the boats coming in (honestly, it’s quite soothing), but far enough up the headland that you’re not dealing with the summer day-tripper crowds right outside your window. When I stayed there in late September, the whole experience felt sort of… authentic, I guess? Like you’re actually living in a Cornish fishing village instead of just visiting one. The locals still outnumber the tourists at that time of year, which means the Paris Hotel down the hill serves proper pub food instead of sanitized tourist fare, and you can actually find parking near the harbor without circling for twenty minutes.

What really sets this place apart – and I think this is why it scores so ridiculously high with guests – is that it doesn’t try too hard. The apartment itself is genuinely comfortable (not just Instagram-pretty), with those thick stone walls that keep things cool during the day and cozy at night. The kitchen’s actually equipped for cooking, not just reheating takeaway, which matters when the nearest proper supermarket is back in Helston. But honestly, you’ll probably end up buying fish straight off the boats anyway. The views from the main room are the kind that make you pause your morning coffee – I found myself just standing there watching the light change across the water, which isn’t normally my thing. On clear days you can see all the way to the Manacles, those jagged rocks that have been wrecking ships for centuries (cheerful thought while you’re having breakfast, but oddly fascinating).

The village itself is small enough that you’ll recognize faces after two days, but there’s something deeply relaxing about that pace. Evenings are particularly magic here – the harbor empties out, the day boats are all moored up, and you get this almost Mediterranean feeling as the light goes golden across the cottages. Walking back up to Gannet Watch after dinner, you’re usually treated to a proper star show, assuming the weather’s cooperating. Fair warning though: if you’re someone who needs constant entertainment or nightlife, Coverack might feel a bit too quiet. But if you’re after that proper “switch off and breathe” kind of break, this place delivers in spades. The 9.6 rating isn’t just holiday euphoria talking – it’s recognition that sometimes the best travel experiences happen when everything just… works.

Rooms

• Estimated price from: $142. Holiday Home for Max persons: 2

Reviews

• Karen from United Kingdom – 19 June 2025 (10/10)

  Beautiful location and lovely and quiet
  
  What could be improved: The seagull!!!!

• Celal from United Kingdom – 24 September 2024 (9/10)

  What could be improved: The instructions for the washer and dryer were not clear and confusing.

• Strangwood from United Kingdom – 5 September 2024 (9/10)

  Fantastic views

• Simon from United Kingdom – 13 August 2023 (10/10)

  What a fantastic property this property is everything that has been advertised and more. The first thing to mention is the views is just wow, from the big windows the view of the ocean with boats, ships, birds inc a kestrel and a seal. You can see the headland and the gardens of the property with rabbits and even a fox, so no need for a TV. Inside you have everything you need its very comfortable, at night there isn't any light pollution or noise all you can hear is the ocean.
  There are plenty of walks around the property to the headland opposite is easy and down to the beach is fairly easy too, on the last day I walked over to the right of the property if you do this go via the sculpture park this is an easier walk, I do NOT recommend the coastal path near the beach.
  Coverack is a pretty village only a mile away with a pub restaurant.
  Back to the property there are 4 flights of stairs but you only have to do this twice with luggage.
  (I'm not writing in the dislike box below as this goes against the property even if you put "didn't want to go home" anything written in there goes against the property) My only dislike was the toilet flush sometimes you had to do this a few times to flush everything down. We would love to return to this property again. Oh I forgot to mention George the Gull he stands/lies on the concrete ledge outside the windows he will sometimes knock on the windows when closed.

• Emma from United Kingdom – 2 April 2023 (10/10)

  Everything
  
  What could be improved: The wind

• Sarah from United Kingdom – 28 August 2022 (10/10)

  I adored the attention to detail. There were some kind gestures; the cream tea we found upon our arrival with top quality jam, the fresh lilies in both rooms that bloomed daily. It was a real comfort to have milk, tea and coffee ready for us to use also. The artwork on the wall was tasteful and inspiring. I also loved the detailed local information pamphlets. There were lovely little well thought out surprises everywhere for example a book on Cornish fish recipes in the drawer. The place was well equipped for rainy days and the location couldn't have been more magical.
  
  What could be improved: The towel rail didn't work so it was a struggle to hang up wet items – provision of a clothes horse in a cupboard might have helped with this but this was a very minor thing in comparison with everything else.

• Elizabeth from United Kingdom – 14 August 2022 (10/10)

  Beautiful location overlooking the sea
  nice clean apartment
  
  What could be improved: nothing

• Annegret from Germany – 27 April 2024 (10/10)

  grandiose Lage auf dem Hügel der Landzunge bei Coverack.
  
  What could be improved: das Bett war ein bißchen schmal

• Joanne from United Kingdom – 10 June 2024 (10/10)

• Joanne from United Kingdom – 18 June 2023 (10/10)

SURROUNDINGS

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