Best Bed & Breakfasts In St Ives
Theres something about having a seaside holiday in Cornwall. And staying in a bed and breakfast is a great way to contribute to the local community and get all the best tips for where to eat, where to go, and what to do. B& Bs in the UK are today often boutique and just as well equipped as hotels, so weve picked the best St Ives B& Bs to make your stay here in West Cornwall that little bit more special.
Wonderful Place To Stay
This is the fifth time we have stayed with Rob at Harbour View and as usual we have really enjoyed our time here. Rob is always helpful and friendly and knowledgeable about the local area. Breakfast is always varied, freshly cooked and delicious! The room is comfortable along with tea and coffee facilities. It is in a great location, being just a five minute walk from the town centre and beaches. We look forward to visiting again!
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0.9 km
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0.8 km
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0.2 km
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0.3 km
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0.2 km
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0.2 km
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2.2 km
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1.7 km
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0.3 km
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0.4 km
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242942
We got stuck in traffic and were late arriving but Rob was on the doorstep to greet us and help with our bags. The room was the best. Our 14yr old daughter was with us so Rob put a comfortable single bed into the large double, but we still had plenty of room. Our bed was amazingly comfortable and the view from it was gorgeous. Breakfast was plentiful and hot, and Rob was keen to offer advice to help us make the best of our stay. It is clear how much he loves St Ives and wants his guests to love it too.
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Is St Ives A Good Holiday Destination
St. Ives is one of the best destinations for travelers in England, because its locations boast some of the most incredible scenery in all Cornish towns. St. Ives many attractions, namely the endless ocean, rugged cliffs, cozy architecture, and art galleries, make it perfect for relaxing on beautiful coastlines.
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Why Book With Us
When you book with Smith, you simply get more:
1. Best-price guarantee . If you find it cheaper, well match it, and give you a US$75 voucher too just let us know.
2. Free Smith extras with every stay, such as champagne, cocktails, breakfast in bed or spa treatments.
3. 24-hour expert service and support from our dedicated in-house team just call .
4. Nothing left to chance: every hotel is personally visited by the Smith team, then reviewed anonymously and regularly reassessed.
The Cons Of Staying In St Ives

There are a few cons of staying in St Ives although, in my opinion, the spectacular views and laid back culture make up for them!
One is the fact that it is such a famous town. This means that it gets very crowded in the summer. Id recommend visiting in Spring to avoid this. Read more about when to visit Cornwall here.
Also, accommodation can get very expensive here again, in the popular summer months. If you visit during shoulder season, you should find it ok.
One last negative is that St Ives is very far west in Cornwall, so its a long drive time from most places in the UK. However, this might be just what you want West Cornwall is exceptionally charming, and its an ideal stop if youre doing a road trip around Cornwall. Just know that it will take a while to get here from anywhere outside Cornwall but it will be worth it.
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Transport: How To Get There
Driving
St Ives is a compact town, easily explored on foot but the traffic in high season is hellish, said Oliver Berry on the i news site. Parking is expensive and devilishly hard to find. If you are to take the car, driving distances are around 190 miles from Bristol, 270 miles from Birmingham and 290 miles from London.
St Erth Park & Ride St Ives Bay Line
One top tip is to leave the car behind if you possibly can, said Lucy Cornes on CornwallLive.com. The small streets of St Ives were not designed for the volume of traffic youll find there today. Park your car at St Erth and take a short train ride on the St Ives Bay Line to the town. This is one of the most spectacular train rides in the country.
Which Is Nicer Newquay Or St Ives
You wont find large crowds partying at beaches in Newquay, but some of it could be attributed to the large crowds drinking there. Those who like to take a spring break may visit this location. It tends to be a more laid-back place than St. Ives, because the transportation connection is better and many different activities are available.
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St Ives Has The Best Beaches One For Surfing And The
St. Ives has the best beaches, one for surfing and the others better for family swimming. The beaches are soft sand and very clean and I was pleased to see lifeguards on duty there.If you like art, there is the Tate Gallery and plenty of art shops and other galleries to visit. The whole town is walkable but be prepared for lots of steep hills!Cornish pasties and ice creams are a must – but beware the seagulls!
Explore St Ives Harbour
The town of St Ives is situated around the Harbour. Here youll find beautiful shops, delicious eateries and tasty ice cream parlours along with a small beach and stunning views.
At the Harbour, you can see beautiful turquoise waters with charming fishing boats bobbing along. We also noticed on our visit that stopping off at the pier was popular, especially for those catching crabs in buckets and nets.
Along the Harbour, you can find an array of shops and cafes to explore and enjoy with unique gifts to take home and freshly cooked food to boast about to friends and family on your return.
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Is St Ives Lively
The usual suspects like St Ives are going to be lively, but the real liveability depends upon the destination and, yes, it should be possible to visit just about everywhere . The following restaurants and pubs offer a good entertainment for a long weekend There will be many lively pubs in harbour towns that are even smaller.
The Best Hotels In St Ives 202: Where To Stay For Seaside Charm
St Ives is a quintessential Cornish fishing town with its white-washed cottages, postcard-perfect harbour and pristine white sand beaches. Whilst the sound of fishermans boots stomping along its cobbled streets has been replaced with chattering tourists, it has retained its original charm albeit updated with a fresh lick of paint. Chic boutique hotels that wouldnt look out of place in Nantucket sit alongside centuries-old pubs, while just outside the town in Carbis Bay, a five-star resort with a showstopping infinity pool awaits. Heres our pick of the best places to stay.
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An Introduction To Newquay
Newquay is one of the largest towns in Cornwall, located on the north coast of the region. Here you can find one of the UKs best surfing spots Fistral Beach leading out to the Atlantic Ocean.
Newquay has over ten beaches perfect for everyone to explore, from families, couples and even dogs. So even if you find Fistral Beach a little too busy or not for you, there are plenty more to explore along the coastline.
Best Hotels In St Ives

The best hotels in St Ives, chosen by our expert, including luxury hotels, boutique hotels, budget hotels and St Ives hotel deals. Read the reviews and book.
- 9/10Telegraph expert ratingThis luxury guesthouse, set along Penzances prettiest street close to the shops, offers perfectly personalised guesthouse service with serious style. Some of its eight rooms afford marvellous views over Mounts Bay while an over-12s age policy further adds to the sense of serenity.Check availability for dates and prices
- 9/10Telegraph expert ratingIts hard to imagine a more stylish place to stay in St Ives than this family-run, six-room guesthouse. Some rooms have harbour views all are beautifully, individually designed breakfast is exceptional and your hosts extend the very warmest of welcomes. Theres also a little lounge-bar area perfect for aperitifs.
From
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Polmear Holiday Cottage St Ives
Polmear is a charming and cozy cottage situated in Downalong, the oldest town in Cornwall known to be occupied by fishermen. It has a rustic wood burner, a blend of old and new features, and exposed stone walls. See what else Polmear Cottage has here.
It is an easy and short walk to the nearby sandy beaches of Harbour Sand, Porthmeor, and Porthgwidden. Polmear has a modern kitchen, washing machine, dishwasher, and a shower.
Polmear in St Ives features
- Off-road parking
Fantastic Views Everywhere You Look At St Ives Miles Of Open
Fantastic views everywhere you look at St Ives miles of open space and sea. Loved the fact there are 3 good beaches there with facilities as well as Carbis Bay approx 1 mile away. Very busy with restaurants fully booked so ate from the takeaway places. Pasties, fish n chips etc. It is very hilly and steep so need decent mobilty to get around.As a solo traveller i did a boat trip to seal island. Caught the Lands End explorer bus which take you around the area and out to Lands End which was very good. I also caught the bus and visited St Micheals Mount and Mousehole. East to follow bus timetable
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The John Francis Basset Wetherspoon
Located in Penzance, The Mount View Hotel, Bed & Breakfast offers a full English or Irish breakfast every morning at its restaurant. There is also a bar and free parking available for guests. All the hotel rooms are equipped with a kettle, flat-screen TV, and hairdryer. It also offers a variety of rooms for guests to choose from, including family rooms and twin rooms.
As for places you can visit, this hotel is only 1.1 km away from Marazion Beach, 9.6 km away from Tate St. Ives, 14.6 km away from Minack Theatre, and 16.8 km away from Lands End.
Where To Stay In St Ives
Carbis Bay Hotel
Ask for a sea view and enjoy a glass of champagne on your private balcony. With comfortable rooms and bright, jaunty décor, theres nothing drab about this seaside hotel, which has been the pick of the leaders jetting in for this years G7. For the ultimate beach break, check into one of the multi-room Beach Lodges. Youll wake up in your sea-room view to find a breakfast hamper of delicious Cornish treats on the doorstep, before stepping off your private terrace straight onto the beach. The lodges all boast rooftop or beach gardens, with open-plan lounges and floor-to-ceiling windows leading out to private sun decks, plus access to all the hotels spa facilities. Oh, and the sea-view hot tub will keep both you and the kids happy.
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Heron Cottage St Ives
Heron cottage in St Ives is a one-bedroom contemporary holiday home located behind the famous Tate St Ives gallery. It is a ground-floor apartment with one double bedroom. The rooms have a charming interior that has been renovated with original granite features, high ceilings, and elegant bay windows. Check rates and availability here.
The rooms have an open plan living area with a kitchen, a vintage table, a walk-in shower, a heated towel rail, and a smart TV with sky. This is a great contemporary holiday home and a great romantic getaway for couples.
Heron in St Ives features
- Off-road parking
Want to stay at Heron Cottage, St Ives? Check availability and book your stay in this fabulous cottage in St Ives here.
Downsfield Bed And Breakfast St Ives
Downsfield Bed and Breakfast is situated in Longstone Hill Carbis Bay, St Ives. Its about a 10-minute drive from St Ives and around 7 minutes walk to the closest beach. The Downsfied B& B has great family rooms with a guest lounge, en suite bathroom, bathroom robes, flat-screen TV, shower, hairdryer, complimentary chocolates, and a garden. There are great restaurants in the surrounding area that serve locally sourced food produce. You can book a room at the Downsfield B& B here.
- Downsfield Bed and Breakfast Address: Longstone Hill Carbis Bay St Ives, St Ives, TR26 2LJ, United Kingdom
- Is there Parking at the Downsfield Bed and Breakfast? Yes, its free
- Is there a Restaurant onsite at the Downsfield Bed and Breakfast? No
- Is there free Wifi at the Downsfield Bed and Breakfast? Yes
- Is Breakfast available at the Downsfield Bed and Breakfast? Yes
Check availability at the Downsfield B& B, St Ives, here.
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Best Hostel In St Ives Cornwall
Located in an old Wesleyan Chapel, Cohort is a simply amazing hostel in St Ives. The hostel has both private rooms and shared dorms, with an in-house bar, lounge, and courtyard. The Cohort hostel is located extremely centrally, just five minutes walk to the bus and train station, and has laundry and dry room facilities with free tea and fresh coffee served every morning.
Theres a really well-equipped kitchen and all the rooms have custom-built pod beds each with its own light, plug socket, USB port, and lockable storage space curtains on all the beds ensure privacy within the dorms and most rooms have sinks en suite. This is a truly fabulous hostel in St Ives in a great location. Book a room or dorm bed here!
Best Holiday Cottages In St Ives

Sometimes its nice to go back to your home away from home after a long day of doing what it is that youve come to Cornwall to do. Holiday cottages in St Ives and in her surroundings are often in short supply, especially in the holidays, and weve picked the ones that youll want to book sooner rather than later!
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St Ives Harbour Hotel & Spa St Ives
The St Ives Harbour Hotel & Spa is an elegant hotel that is only two minutes from the beach. This hotel gives you an impressive view across to the Godrevy Lighthouse and St Ives Bay. St Ives Harbour Hotel & Spa has a traditional restaurant where you can enjoy delicious local seafood and a variety of fresh local produce. This is a truly lovely hotel that books up quickly, check rates and availability here now!
St Ives Harbour Hotel & Spa has spacious, elegant rooms that have been furnished with natural warm colours. Rooms with balconies offer an amazing sea view, an evening breeze, and an even more dazzling sunset.
- St Ives Harbour Hotel & Spa Address: The Terrace, St Ives, TR26 2BN, United Kingdom
- Is there Parking at the St Ives Harbour Hotel & Spa? Yes its free
- Is there a Restaurant onsite at the St Ives Harbour Hotel & Spa? Yes
- Is there free Wifi at the St Ives Harbour Hotel & Spa? Yes
- Is Breakfast available at the St Ives Harbour Hotel & Spa? Yes
Book a room at the Harbour Hotel & Spa in St Ives now!
Downsfield Bed And Breakfast
Downsfield Bed and Breakfast is a cosy hotel with comfortable, homely rooms. You can also opt to stay in a luxury shepherds hut a self-contained accommodation option on the grounds, and certainly one of the cosier options in St Ives!
A splendid breakfast is cooked up each day and included in your room rate. This property is a 10-minute walk from Carbis Bay.
Read more about Downsfield Bed and Breakfast here.
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What Not To Miss
- Families should definitely spend a day at The Flambards Experience amusement park – complete with thrill rides, a Victorian Village and children’s play area. A fun-filled day out.
- Head over to the National Maritime Museum Cornwall and check out their fascinating variety of exhibitions, including one on British tattoo art and another on Captain Bligh.
- Mên-an-Tol, known locally as the “Crick stone”, is an iconic formation of standing stones thought to date back to the late Neolithic or early Bronze Age.
- The 22-acre Tremenheere Sculpture Gardens features a range of modern art installations, surrounded by plant-filled gardens and with fantastic views of the bay. A lovely way to spend an afternoon.
Don’t forget that if you plan to visit the town during the peak summer months , you’ll need to be organised and book well ahead. The best places to stay in St Ives can be very difficult to reserve!
The Boskerris Hotel St Ives
The Boskerris hotel is a lovely hotel in St Ives, just 4 minutes walk from the beach and the famous Carbis Bay is just 200m away. The hotel rooms are fully furnished and all have an HD flat-screen TV, a comfortable desk, private bathroom, coffee machine, wardrobe, an electric kettle, and separate storage space for your luggage. You can see more reviews of the Boskerris Hotel here.
The rooms are free from allergies, there is a restaurant on-site that offers a continental breakfast. Some of the rooms at Boskerris hotel offer fantastic sea views.
- Boskerris Hotel Address: Boskerris Hotel Boskerris Rd, Carbis Bay, St Ives, TR26 2NQ, United Kingdom
- Is there Parking at the Boskerris hotel? Yes, its free
- Is there a Restaurant onsite at the Boskerris hotel? Yes
- Is there free Wifi at the Boskerris hotel? Yes
- Is Breakfast available at the Boskerris hotel? Yes
Reserve a room at the Boskerris Hotel here.
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