Geckos Rest

Hotel Description

I’ll be honest – I wasn’t expecting much when I first pulled up to Geckos Rest on Mount Wise. The street’s a bit steep (welcome to Newquay, right?), and from the outside it looks like just another Victorian terrace that’s been converted. But you know what? Sometimes the best places are the ones that don’t need to shout about themselves from the curb.

The moment you step inside, there’s this immediate sense that someone actually cares about this place. The owner – lovely woman, by the way – clearly knows her stuff about hospitality. My room had these little touches that you don’t usually get at bigger hotels: proper blackout curtains (essential if you’re planning any late nights in town), a coffee machine that actually works, and honestly, the bed was one of those where you sink in just enough without feeling like you’re being swallowed. The bathroom was compact but cleverly designed – I mean, they’ve made the most of every inch without it feeling cramped. And the shower pressure? Chef’s kiss.

What really sold me on this place though is the location. Mount Wise puts you right in that sweet spot where you’re close enough to walk into town (maybe ten minutes to the harbor, fifteen to the main beaches), but you’re not dealing with the chaos of staying right on the seafront. You can actually get some sleep here, even during the summer madness. There’s decent parking too – and trust me, if you’ve ever tried to park in central Newquay during July, you’ll appreciate that. The walk down to Fistral Beach is pretty manageable, though it’s definitely uphill on the way back (good motivation to grab a pasty from one of the shops on Fore Street). I found myself popping down to the Little Red Rooster for breakfast most mornings instead of eating at the hotel – not because the hotel breakfast wasn’t good, but because, well, when in Cornwall, you’ve got to explore the local spots, haven’t you?

The staff here actually remember your name, which sounds small but makes such a difference when you’re coming and going. They’ve got local knowledge too – proper recommendations, not just the obvious tourist traps. One of them pointed me toward this brilliant little coastal walk that starts near the Huer’s Hut, which I never would’ve found otherwise. The whole place has this relaxed vibe that matches Newquay perfectly – professional but not stuffy, welcoming without being overwhelming. After staying at some of the larger hotels in town that felt a bit like conveyor belts, Geckos Rest was refreshingly personal. It’s the kind of place where you actually want to come back to after a day out, rather than just crashing there because you have to.

Facilities