Speedwell

Hotel Description

You know what struck me first about Speedwell? It’s tucked away in Charlestown in this spot where you feel like you’ve discovered something the cruise ship crowds haven’t figured out yet. I mean, Charlestown gets busy during the day with people coming to see the historic harbor (it’s where they filmed Poldark, if you’re into that), but by evening it settles into this lovely, quiet fishing village vibe that honestly makes you want to just sit with a pint and watch the boats.

The hotel itself is one of those places that actually lives up to its 9.5 rating – and I’m usually skeptical of ratings that high because they often mean either fake reviews or a place trying way too hard. But Speedwell gets it right in all these small ways that add up. The rooms have this perfect balance of being updated enough that everything works properly (the shower pressure is fantastic, thank god) but they haven’t stripped away all the character. You’ll find thick stone walls that keep things cool in summer and cozy in winter, plus windows that actually open – revolutionary concept, I know. The beds are properly comfortable, not just Instagram-pretty, and there’s enough space to spread out your stuff without living out of a suitcase.

What really makes this place special though is how the staff knows Charlestown inside and out. They’ll tell you the best time to walk down to the harbor when the light’s perfect for photos (early morning or just before sunset), and more importantly, they’ll point you toward the local pub that doesn’t jack up prices for tourists. Parking can be a bit tricky in Charlestown itself – the streets are narrow and definitely weren’t designed for modern cars – but the hotel sorts that out for you. The breakfast is the kind where they clearly give a damn about sourcing local stuff, and you can taste the difference. I actually ended up staying an extra night partly because I didn’t want to give up those morning views over the harbor with proper Cornish coffee. It’s the sort of place where you find yourself planning your next visit before you’ve even checked out, which honestly doesn’t happen to me that often anymore.

Rooms

• Estimated price from: $345. Holiday Home with 1 large double bed, 1 double bed and 1 single bed for Max persons: 4

SURROUNDINGS

Facilities