Puffins

Hotel Description

Honestly, I wasn’t expecting much when I first pulled up to Puffins – I mean, St Ives is packed with places claiming to be boutique hotels, and half of them are just overpriced B&Bs with fancy websites. But this place actually delivers on what it promises, and then some.

The location is what really gets you first. You’re right in the thick of things on St Ives’ narrow streets, close enough to hear the gulls squawking over the harbor in the morning (which sounds annoying but is actually pretty charming), yet somehow they’ve managed to keep the rooms quiet when you need to sleep. I stayed there in July – peak tourist madness – and while the streets below were buzzing with families dragging beach gear around, my room felt like a proper retreat. The staff clearly know what they’re doing too; check-in was smooth even though I showed up during the afternoon rush when half of Cornwall seems to descend on the town. They actually gave me useful tips about which beaches to hit when, rather than just handing over a generic tourism pamphlet.

What struck me most was how they’ve nailed that balance between feeling upscale without being stuffy. The interiors have this sort of coastal-contemporary thing going on – you know, lots of whites and blues, but done in a way that feels genuinely sophisticated rather than like someone just bought everything from a “seaside chic” catalog. The rooms are spacious by St Ives standards (which isn’t saying much, but still), and the beds are honestly some of the most comfortable I’ve encountered. Little touches matter here too – proper coffee setup, bathroom products that don’t smell like cheap soap, and windows that actually open properly so you can get that sea breeze without the traffic noise from the main roads. The 9.6 rating makes total sense once you’ve stayed there; it’s one of those places where you can tell someone’s thought through every detail of the guest experience. Parking can be a bit of a puzzle in this part of town – I’d definitely ask them about it when you book because St Ives’ medieval street layout wasn’t exactly designed for modern cars. But honestly, once you’re settled in, you won’t want to drive anywhere anyway. Everything worth seeing is within walking distance, and the hotel’s position means you can easily duck back for an afternoon rest before heading out for dinner. It’s the kind of place that makes you want to plan your next St Ives trip before you’ve even checked out.

Facilities