Stunning location, comfortable accommodation, delicious cuisine, first-class service…here at Travellowdown, we could go on and on with superlatives when describing The Carlyon Bay Hotel, which is perched atop the Cornish cliffs on the outskirts of St Austell. But I think you’ll have got the picture by now: we rate the hotel highly after enjoying a three-night stay.
Part of the award-winning, family-owned Brend Collection – comprising nine hotels dotted across Devon and Cornwall – it’s rightly regarded among the group’s premier hotels. If proof was needed to show just how special it is, pause for a moment as you step inside the lobby. Look around and you’ll see a plethora of certificates and awards adorning the walls – everything from “Best for Families Condé Nast Johansen Award Winner 2019” and “AA Recommended Spa Award 2023/24” to “SW England Tourism Gold Award for Large Hotel of the Year 2020/21” and, claiming pride of place, “AA Small Hotel Group of the Year 2025/26”.
History
Originally christened the St Austell Bay Hotel, it opened in 1925 and soon attracted celebrities of the day – even Royalty. Edward, Prince of Wales, and his future wife, Mrs Wallis Simpson, frequented the hotel which was the first built at Carlyon Bay.
If you treat yourself to a night or two here, wander along the Hall of Fame. Photos of famous people who’ve stayed here cover the walls – everybody from the Princess Royal, Jane Asher and Ronnie Corbett to Jimmy Tarbuck, Gordon Ramsay and Kevin Keegan.
During the Second World War, pupils from two Canterbury schools were evacuated to the hotel. But soon after the cessation of hostilities, the hotel was welcoming guests once again.
Fast-forward four decades and it was acquired by the Brend family who’ve subsequently transformed it into the first-class hotel you can experience today.
Location
When it comes to location, the Brend Family certainly know how to pick their hotels – and the Carlyon Bay Hotel is no exception. Sitting amid 250 acres of lush grounds, including manicured lawns and an impressive 18-hole championship golf course, you couldn’t ask for a more pleasant position.
The hotel provides a perfect base for exploring not just St Austell but the region’s many attractions, such as The Eden Project, Lost Gardens of Heligan and traditional Cornish fishing villages like Mevagissey; and if you enjoy walking, you’ll be delighted to hear that the South West Coast Path runs along the edge of the hotel’s grounds. We recommend donning your walking boots to enjoy the 1.25-mile stroll to nearby Charlestown, famous for – among other things – a pretty harbour which appeared in the recent Poldark remake.
Style
In the Brend-owned hotels we’ve experienced, a recurring Art Deco theme is present when it comes to décor. Here, sparkling chandeliers, an emphasis on geometric shapes, high-gloss finishes, plenty of glass and shining chrome hark back to that popular design period.
These influences work seamlessly with the elements of classic styling and the light grey and stone tones running through the public areas. Overall, the hotel exudes a luxurious opulence which guests can only be impressed by.
Family-friendly?
Absolutely! The Brend Collection is a family-run business so understand exactly what families require. In terms of rooms, many are suitable for families with cots, Z beds and connecting rooms available.
The hotel’s brochure states: “…we’re proud of the reputation we have built up for providing top-class family holidays going the extra mile to add additional perks…” and the owners and staff are true to their word. On offer during school holidays, for example, are discounted days out, family entertainment and complimentary treats for under 15s, such as ice cream, lunch and soft drinks. And if you’re taking your kids down to the hotel’s privately-owned beach, Carlyon Cove, grab a fishing net for some rock-pooling fun.
Service
Some hotels seem to have everything going for them but then fall disappointingly short when it comes to service; nothing taints a guest’s experience more than below-par service. That’s certainly not the case at the Carlyon Bay Hotel or, for that matter, any of the Brend hotels we’ve had the pleasure to visit; always providing quality service is one reason the Brend Collection has been crowned “AA Small Hotel Group of the Year 2025/26”.
Whether you’re relaxing in the lounge, enjoying a meal in the restaurant or treating yourself to a spa session, staff are attentive, polite, helpful and have a clear understanding of what quality service entails; quite simply, they seem to have an ingrained knack for knowing what guests need and are happy to provide it.
But it’s not just the guest-facing staff who impress. The hotel is spotless thanks to the diligent housekeeping team while the gardening staff keep the grounds looking immaculate, including maintaining hedges at a sufficiently low height so that guests can always see the English Channel whether they’re sitting on the terrace, in the lounge or relaxing at the outside pool.
What we did like the sound of is the complimentary golf buggy rides to Carlyon Cove. Anyone who wants to explore the hotel’s privately-owned beach at the end of the course but has mobility issues or simply fancies a ride in a buggy can book at Reception.
Facilities
You’re not short of choice when it comes to amenities at the hotel and across its 250 acres of grounds, starting off with the 18-hole championship golf course which stretches out along the coast. If you haven’t time for a full round, there is a nine-hole course and small putting green to sample.
Inside the hotel, guests can enjoy a game of snooker on either of the two full-size tables, head to the gym or check out the attractively designed spa. Here, you’ll find a heated pool, sauna, steam room, hydrotherapy bath and hot/cold stone loungers. Spa treatments are offered, too: Hollie sampled a full-body massage which was one of the highlights of her stay.
If golf isn’t your game, what about tennis on either of the two courts, take a dip in the heated outdoor pool before relaxing on the loungers dotted around the pool or simply stroll around the lush grounds?
Accommodation
Boasting 86 bedrooms, there is something to suit everyone’s budget and taste. If your finances allow, book a room overlooking St Austell Bay rather than the inland-facing bedrooms.
The nine room categories range from the unbridled luxury of state rooms and deluxe sea-facing to single sea-facing and single inland. But whatever you choose, your room will include Freeview TV, tea/coffee-making facilities, dressing gowns, slippers, hair dryer and a pillow menu.
Our sea-facing rooms were spacious and comfortable with light greys and beige décor providing a relaxing vibe.
Food & Drinks
The excellent service experienced throughout the hotel extends to the restaurant and other eating spaces, of which there are several. The main restaurant, The Bay View, does – as the name suggests – boast uninterrupted views out to sea through floor-to-ceiling windows.
This AA Rosette eatery offers dishes inspired by cuisine from around the globe together with an extensive wine list to complement the meal.
We enjoyed our dinners at The Bay View, especially as a dedicated vegan menu was available and the chefs were always more than willing to adjust dishes if, for example, they contained ingredients we didn’t like.
Other options where food is served include Taste of Cornwall, a relaxed brasserie decked out in the county’s official colours which is open seasonally in the evenings. The Spa Bar, meanwhile, offers a cosy corner by day where light bites are served while in the evening it transforms into a bar serving a grill menu and offering live sport on the TV.
Breakfast is served in The Bay View with a more than adequate offering, including plenty of cereals, juices, pastries and everything needed for a full English. A small à la carte menu offers a few additional items.
Details:
Address:
Carlyon Bay Resort Hotel
Sea Road
Carlyon Bay
St Austell
Cornwall PL25 3RD
Tel: 01726 812304
3 Must-dos
Visit The Eden Project
A shining example of how redundant land can be reclaimed and transformed into an award-winning, world-famous attraction. Creator Tim Smit wanted to showcase some of the world’s most important plants when he bought the former china clay pit. Two biomes form the backbone of this popular Cornish attraction, including the Rainforest Biome which is twice as high as the Tower of London and home to over 1,000 different rainforest plant species. But that’s just one of many areas visitors can marvel at when visiting the Eden Project.
Explore the Lost Gardens of Heligan
For decades, the gardens were forgotten and overgrown after the employees headed off to battle during the Great War. In 1990, it was re-discovered by Tim Smit and John Willis (a descendant of the Tremayne family which originally owned the estate) and the restoration began. Now, there are 200 acres to explore, including everything from formal gardens and woodland walks to our favourite – The Jungle. Here, boardwalks guide you through dense foliage and around the myriad ponds.
Head for Wheal Martyn Clay Works Museum
Find out how the county’s china clay mining industry helped change our everyday lives at this impressive museum which also houses a café and shop. Woodland trails, a look-out post above a working deep clay mine and real-life stories of the industry are just some of the experiences found at this highly informative museum.
P.S.
If you decide to visit during the lead up to Christmas, you’ll be treated to the delights of the illuminated Night Garden at Heligan and fantastic light display within the biomes at the Eden Project. Check the websites, however, because arrangements may change each year.
Location:
[Visited: December 2025]
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