For when the world is back to normal
cottage provided a magical charm of its own. The nature show unfolding a pebble’s throw away almost rendered the two tellies in the cottage redundant.
Could The Lugger get any better, we wondered? Well, yes, thanks to the two-AA Rosette restaurant on site.
That, too, wrings every last ounce out of Portloe’s views – and on the stormiest of days, I was told, the waves have been known to crash against the ground-floor kitchen windows.
With such a close proximity to the salty spray, The Lugger pays homage to the fruits of the sea with the best of local fish and produce dominating the menu.
Being a long-standing pescatarian I went for a sea bass starter and sea bream main course and was left thanking my decision to ditch the meat all those years ago – both were cooked to perfection. My carnivore partner opted for the pork main course and was delighted she didn’t join me, declaring it was one of the best pieces of pig she’d devoured in her life.
Table service, like the reception staff, is relaxed and attentive with nothing too much to ask for.
Afterwards, you can retire to the Lugger’s lounge and plant yourself on one of the large sofas next to a log fire creating a warmly cosy environment.
A table-service breakfast is offered in the restaurant (or on the terrace in summer) with a selection of cereals, muesli and granola, cold meats, cheeses, pastries, fruit and natural
Rooms at
The Lugger Hotel in September start at £175 a night on B&B, or £241 for dinner, B&B. Seaview Beach Cottage costs from £300/£366.
yoghurt with berry compote, followed by cooked options.
They go above and beyond the normal morning offerings, with a full Cornish or veggie option, scrambled eggs with Scottish smoked salmon, eggs Benedict, locally caught poached haddock and grilled kipper on the menu.
The Lugger is the perfect base in which to unwind from the stresses and strains of everyday life.
For the more active, many of Cornwall’s most popular attractions such as the Lost Gardens of Heligan and Eden Project are all within easy striking distance, as is St Mawes and the ferry across to Falmouth.
For walkers (who seem to flock to
The Lugger given the sign about taking off dirty boots and wellingtons near the first floor toilet) there’s the Cornish Coastal Footpath right on your doorstep.
We gave that a sidestep, having left the necessary footwear back at home (that was our lame excuse) preferring to be at one with nature, watching the sea crashing into the cove from the Beach Cottage.
You sense Walt Disney just might have been on to something when choosing Portloe to film Treasure Island all those years ago.
The Lugger is a most certainly a treasure, too.
Coronavirus restrictions mean the hotel is currently closed