Hotel of the week

The Lugger Portloe, Cornwall

WHERE AND WHY

Sitting on the edge of the water in Portloe, on Cornwall’s tranquil and enchanting Roseland Peninsula, The Lugger is the ideal place for those needing a change of scene.

The old smugglers’ inn – the only one in Cornwall with five stars – offers a perfect, traditional Cornish getaway thanks to its dreamy surroundings. Located right by the small harbour, the hotel boasts 24 bedrooms and four private cottages, all designed to make you feel at home.

Our room had, like the rest of the hotel, a simple but beautiful coastal theme and mixed old with the new. It had a clean and stylish bathroom, but the star of the show was its large window with dramatic views over the cliffs, sand beach and harbour.

Waffle robes and slippers were left on our bed made up with crisp white linen. But the most special part of our stay was waking and falling asleep to the sound of the ocean waves.

ON THE MENU

The Lugger has a two-AA Rosette restaurant, serving up local cuisine. There is also a bar and lounge. We dined and had breakfast at the restaurant which has incredible sea views.

We loved all the food and the portions were a perfect size.

Our favourites were the prawn, baby gem and quail egg salad, the wild mushroom and root vegetable risotto and the assiette of desserts (chocolate delice, peanut parfait and toffee macaron). Dinner starts at £25 a head.

WHILE YOU’RE THERE

Try out The Lugger’s bar and lounge in the evening. The atmosphere is cosy and warm and the staff are lovely. Its Smugglers cocktail, with spiced rum and ginger beer, was delicious.

Of course, discovering the unspoilt fishing village of Portloe and its coastal paths is a must and the Lugger has maps for a couple of scenic walks.

You can also go for a morning swim (weather permitting!) and explore the whole Roseland Peninsula, which is usually quieter than the rest of Cornwall. It has many charming locations including St Mawes, Portscatho and St Anthony Head.

Cornwall’s more popular attractions, including the Eden Project, the Lost Gardens of Heligan, Mevagissey and Charlestown, are less than an hour

away too.

WAKE-UP CALL

Rooms from £169 a night on

B&B. luggerhotel.co.uk