Saffron Cottage, St Ives

Hotel Description

You know what struck me first about Saffron Cottage? It’s tucked away on Academy Place – this little street that most tourists walk right past on their way to the harbor. I mean, you’re literally a two-minute stroll from all the St Ives chaos, but somehow you’ve landed in this quiet pocket that feels almost residential. The building itself has that proper Cornish cottage charm without trying too hard, if that makes sense.

The rooms are honestly what you’d hope for in a place like this – not huge, but cleverly done with those thick stone walls that keep things cool even when it’s blazing outside (and surprisingly cozy when the sea mist rolls in). I particularly liked how they’ve managed to squeeze decent storage into what are obviously old cottage rooms. The bathrooms are modern enough that you won’t be wrestling with ancient plumbing, which – trust me – is something you appreciate after staying in some of the “characterful” places around here. What really works is the little touches that show someone actually thinks about what travelers need: proper reading lights, enough outlets for your devices, and curtains that actually block out the light when you want a lie-in.

Here’s the thing about the location that the photos don’t really capture – you’re close enough to hear the gulls and catch glimpses of the harbor between buildings, but far enough back that you won’t have drunk tourists stumbling past your window at midnight. During peak summer (July and August, basically), this matters more than you might think. The walk down to the Tate St Ives takes about five minutes through those narrow streets that Instagram loves, and you can reach Porthmeor Beach without breaking a sweat. But honestly, what I found most useful was being near enough to Fore Street for morning coffee runs without being right in the thick of the tourist bottleneck.

The 7.9 rating feels about right – it’s a solid choice that does what it promises without any major surprises, good or bad. Staff are genuinely helpful with local recommendations (they steered me toward some great lesser-known coastal walks), and check-in was refreshingly straightforward. The only minor gripe is that parking can be a bit of a puzzle – there’s no dedicated spaces, so you’re dealing with the usual St Ives parking dance. But then again, that’s true for pretty much everywhere in the old town center. Overall, Saffron Cottage hits that sweet spot where you get authentic Cornish character without sacrificing the practical stuff that makes a stay actually comfortable.

Rooms

• Estimated price from: $264. Two-Bedroom House with 1 extra-large double bed and 1 double bed for Max persons: 4

Reviews

• Rebecca from United Kingdom – 19 September 2023 (8/10)

  The rooms were very cosy. The outdoor space was very nice for having breakfast in. Everything is beautifully decorated. We liked that the TV had a few apps so that you could play films on quieter evenings.
  
  What could be improved: Two small practical things:
  
  – There isn’t anywhere to hang multiple wet towels or clothes to dry. As the washing machine is provided it would be good to have a washing line outside and/or a clothes rack. It would be good to have somewhere to hang multiple wet towels that isn’t a clothes hook on the back of bedroom doors.
  – There isn’t a draining or drying rack for kitchen ware. The side can get wet easily. Would be good if this is provided.

• Patrick from United Kingdom – 20 May 2024 (9/10)

  Perfect location. Close to the centre but quiet.

• Ian from United Kingdom – 19 December 2023 (8/10)

  Lovely location, no parking which we knew. Local car park was fairly close and not expensive. House was cosy. Great shower 👍
  
  What could be improved: Felt that 1 toilet roll for 4 people over 3 nights was a bit stingy. Surprised to find the vacuum cleaner in one of the bedrooms on arrival? A lot of cobwebs in the lounge above the door to the boiler cupboard. Looks like they’ve been there for quite some time.

• Gordon from United Kingdom – 4 May 2024 (8/10)

  Location. Accommodation.
  
  What could be improved: We had to buy a toilet roll.

• Helen from United Kingdom – 17 February 2024 (8/10)

  Location to everything
  
  What could be improved: Nothing

• Lorraine from United Kingdom – 28 April 2024 (5/10)

  Location was great.
  
  What could be improved: Attention to detail. It could do with some updates as the interior is tired. The Back door did not shut properly causing a draft. It would have been great if we could have light a fire, electric or gas? As the property was damp.

• Alice from United Kingdom – 30 July 2023 (8/10)

  Location was perfect for St Ives.
  The kitchen was very well resourced
  Cornish Monopoly game
  Information booklet left was really helpful but some of the information was last years and it would be helpful to have a 2023
  bus timetable
  Thank you for leaving a pint of milk , and was nice to have some tea and coffee. vinegar salt and pepper, although would be really good to have some tomato ketchup as always forgetting this and am sure all guests will be having fish and chips sometime during the stay
  
  What could be improved: The cleaning products were not eco friendly
  No recycling of rubbish
  Windows in the bedroom were difficult to open to let fresh air in
  Be helpful to have a couple of spare beach towels – we ended up going to mountain Wearhouse to buy towels

• Karen from United Kingdom – 14 December 2024 (5/10)

  The cottage was perfectly fine but not luxury as was claimed
  
  What could be improved: Bin man entering the house with space key during our stay, no oils, etc in the kitchen

• James from United Kingdom – 1 January 2024 (8/10)

SURROUNDINGS

Facilities