These are unusual times, and the state of affairs can change quickly. Please check the latest travel guidance before making your journey. Our writers visited these hotels pre-pandemic.
With big beaches, coastal paths and seaside towns within walking distance from many hotels, Cornwall is ideal for holidaying with four-legged members of the family. Many offer complimentary bowls, beds and treats, and some don’t charge extra for the pleasure of bringing pets along. Here’s our pick of guide of the best dog-friendly hotels in Cornwall, in locations including St Ives, Newquay, The Lizard and the Roseland Peninsula.
Fowey Hall
Fowey, Cornwall, England
Wind in the Willows author Kenneth Grahame used to stay at this Victorian seaside mansion when it was a private home and would approve of its reincarnation as a luxury family hotel. Set in landscaped gardens on a bluff above the sailing town of Fowey in south Cornwall, the hotel has far-reaching sea views and access to 630 miles of coastal walks. Head west on the footpath to the Menabilly estate, Daphne du Maurier’s former home, or east to do the Hall Walk around the estuary, famous as a place to dally since Tudor times. Two dogs are permitted in each of the main house’s rooms (£15 per dog, per night) and get doggy blankets, feeding bowls, a tennis ball and biscuits.
From
£
169
per night
Rates provided by
Booking.com
• The best hotels in Cornwall
The Nare
Cornwall, England
With spacious bedrooms, traditional décor and a sunny south-facing position on the Roseland Peninsula, The Nare is one of the loveliest places to stay in Cornwall with dogs (from £16 per dog, per night). They’re welcome in the gardens, bedrooms, and field behind the car park, and will enjoy boundless walks along the coastal paths and beach, which the hotel has direct access to (they will need to be on a lead in summer). As with other guests in the hotel, dogs are offered a pooch-friendly table d’hôte menu, with any dietary requirements taken care of. There are also self-catering kennels for ‘outdoorsy’ and working dogs. Biodegradable dog bags are available from reception.
From
£
299
per night
The Gurnard’s Head
St Ives, Cornwall, England
When staying in St Ives, dog-friendly hotels like The Gurnard’s Head are ideal for a low-key, restorative break in a wild coastal location. The striking yellow inn is situated at the half-way mark on the South West Coastal Path between St Ives and St Just, and is ideally situated for visiting local attractions and exploring the surrounding coast and countryside before returning for outstanding food, comfortable rooms and warm service in a cosy atmosphere. Dogs are allowed in bedrooms and are even permitted to sit by some dining room tables in the excellent restaurant. Dog-friendly accommodation in Cornwall can sometimes be unexpectedly costly, but here there’s no fee.
From
£
125
per night
Mullion Cove Hotel
Cornwall, England
A delightful traditional seaside hotel for pet-friendly holidays in Cornwall. On a clifftop location near Mullion on the Lizard peninsula, it has a welcoming and convivial atmosphere and will appeal to couples and families with older children. In glorious isolation above an historic fishing cove, there are far-reaching views towards Land’s End, and the coastal footpath runs past the door, giving access to sandy beaches. Dogs are allowed in some bedrooms and one lounge (plus the main guest lounge); they are given a complimentary welcome pack; plus there’s no charge during low season (£9 per night during other times of the year).
From
£
109
per night
Rates provided by
Booking.com
Polurrian Bay Hotel
Cornwall, England
In the most southerly point on the UK’s mainland, the Polurrian Bay Hotel perches on the edge of a high cliff outside the village of Mullion, with wonderful sunsets over the Land’s End peninsula, and from where it’s just a five-minute walk to a lovely sandy beach. Aside from enjoying the excellent walks in the surrounding area, dogs can curl up in the Snug, a cosy family room packed full of games, toys, puzzles and books. Feeding bowls and dog blankets are provided, and there’s a charge of £15 per dog, per night. Look out for “Paws Breaks” packages as well, which include extra treats and bigger rooms.
From
£
119
per night
Rates provided by
Booking.com
The Scarlet
Mawgan Porth, England
With lashings of style, comfort and breathtaking sea vistas, this adults-only, eco-minded, Newquay dog-friendly hotel is ideal for a restorative coastal escape. Days can be spent exploring the beautiful cliff paths situated right on the doorstep (the Bedruthen Steps are a 30-minute walk away; while Watergate Bay is well worth the hour’s trek for the stunning expanse of sand (and surf) that awaits), or lounging in the wonderful spa. There are both dog-friendly and dog-free areas throughout the hotel, and six bedrooms in which pooches can stay with their owners (£15). Food and water bowls, blankets, waste bags and even dog treats are provided. Overall the look is bright and arty.
Rates provided by
Booking.com
Watergate Bay
Newquay, Cornwall, England
This is the only hotel on Watergate Bay, a two-mile stretch of beach near Newquay, with fabulous views in both directions and the beach laid out just below. It’s particularly ideal for dog walkers and those who enjoy an array of watersports, especially as the area is peppered with sandy coves begging to be explored. This is the aim of the hotel – to encourage guests to enjoy the beach and sea before venturing back inside to relax, swim, enjoy good food and drink with family and friends. Many of the rooms are dog-friendly, as is the beach, but there is a charge of £15 per night for one dog (a second dog incurs a £5 supplement).
From
£
185
per night
• The best hotels in Newquay
St Michaels Resort
Falmouth, Cornwall, England
This revamped resort near Blue Flag Gyllyngvase Beach is perfect for unwinding, with interiors that draw from the coastal surrounds, reflecting a beach-chic vibe that is contemporary yet unpretentious, and a spoiling spa on-site. Just a 15-minute walk will take you to Swanpool Beach and the town centre, where you will find a variety of independent shops and cafés, at the hub of a growing art and entertainment scene. The main house boasts 52 rooms, some with great sea views and balconies, with 32 Deluxe rooms in the beach house. Dog-friendly rooms are kitted out with a large dog bed, water bowls and treats, for those staying with their pets.
From
£
130
per night
Rates provided by
Booking.com
Contributions by Hattie Garlick & Natalie Millar-Partridge