CORNWALL BEDRUTHAN HOTEL
Happy holidays in our house are officially classed as ‘a work in progress’. The hedonistic trips to Asia of old have been replaced with family-friendly trips, thanks to the arrival of our two wonderful sons. But after a week of self-catering, the car stuffed to bursting point with everything required to make a trip with two preschoolers run ‘smoothly’, we return home frazzled, never having turned a page of our holiday reads or enjoyed a romantic moment alone. So a weekend stay at the award-winning Bedruthan hotel and spa’s Baby & Toddler Break, which promises both family activities and grown-up time, is an offer we just can’t refuse.
Set on the clifftop overlooking the beautiful Mawgan Porth beach, the Bedruthan hotel, with its pared back Scandi-feel rooms, makes holidaying as a young family simple – from the indoor and outdoor pools to the playgrounds set among the sea-view grounds. But, as promised, it’s not just for the kids. Every facility also has a little adult twist to ensure weary parents are having fun, too. There’s a soft play room with cinema-style seating for parents, complimentary Sunday newspapers and a café with excellent coffee. There is also a family dining option at The Wild Café; for the adults, there’s a menu crammed full of local, seasonal specialities – and great wine.
Yet it’s practicality with which the Bedruthan excels. High chairs, buggies and wellies are all on hand, and the staff are totally accustomed to the highs and lows of excited children. But perhaps the highlight is the one night’s free babysitting and two hours of childcare each day. After a brilliant morning in the pool, the boys go for a session in the kids’ club and we hit the spa for a restorative couples’ massage. Later, a lovely babysitter approved by the hotel willingly takes over story time while we head to dinner. The stunning sea views from The Herring, the hotel’s child-free evening restaurant, are the perfect backdrop to our Cornish crab salad, fresh sea trout and samphire. The next morning, feeling rejuvenated, we build sandcastles in the glorious sunshine and top it off with a Cornish ice cream. We leave with big smiles all round. Result.
There is always something to do on the beach.