Boasting a wonderful setting overlooking the English Channel, the four- star Royal Duchy Hotel has been welcoming visitors for more than a century. Part of the family-owned Brend Collection, comprising nine hotels across Devon and Cornwall, this pleasantly refurbished Victorian property has a high number of loyal guests who return time and time again which, in our view, speaks volumes about the quality offered.
If further proof was required to confirm how special this hotel is, just look at the award recently bestowed upon it. Yes, many hotels claim to be “award-winning”, only to refer to a prize dating back years. That’s not the case with the Royal Duchy because it’s been recognised, along with the rest of the group, as the AA Small Hotel Group of the Year 2025/26 – a truly prestigious award.
Paula and I experienced three nights at the hotel and can’t recommend it highly enough, so impressed were we with every aspect of our stay. As the company’s glossy brochure states, the hotel will become “your new favourite place” and we can definitely say it’s certainly one of our favourites!
We love discovering a little about a hotel’s history and so it intrigued us to learn that when it was built in 1893, it was among Falmouth’s first hotels.
For a time, it was called the Hydro Hotel and became popular with affluent Victorian and Edwardian tourists from London drawn not only by the seafront location but because the hotel promoted the health benefits of bathing in the sea. Fast-forward a few decades and during the Second World War the hotel housed American soldiers with anti-aircraft guns installed in the grounds.
Location
Our thoughts regarding the hotel’s location can be summed up in one word: perfect! While you can walk to the town’s high street in ten minutes, it seems like you’re miles away from the hustle and bustle of everyday living.
Across the road from the sea front, the Royal Duchy sits amid a tranquil corner of Falmouth, yet most of the town’s attractions are within easy walking distance, including the National Maritime Museum. Its proximity to the sea means wonderful views from not only the front-facing bedrooms but the recently updated Terrace Bar area and front lawn.
With the hotel’s car park offering plenty of spaces, we were able to leave our car for much of our stay and walk everywhere.
One morning, we joined the South West Coast Path – England’s longest waymarked footpath which runs in front the hotel – and headed to Pendennis Castle, perched atop a headland, which has guarded the mouth of the River Fal since the 16th century. The following day, we strolled along Cliff Road to Gyllyngvase Beach, the town’s largest and most popular beach – and only five minutes away.
Style
This classy hotel not only oozes style but an understated elegance. A seamless blend of decorative influences includes Art Deco touches, such as mirrored furniture, bold geometric designs, lacquered wood and chrome.
Meanwhile, the hotel’s Victorian roots are evident in the shape of the grandfather clock standing in the mezzanine which has been ticking away at the hotel for more than a century. Interestingly, when Brend Collection bought the hotel in 1977, it was a condition that the clock remained.
A calm, relaxing atmosphere runs throughout and is indicative of hotel personnel who are confident in their ability to deliver a top-notch service to guests. So, if you appreciate professionality over artificiality, you’ll adore this hotel.
Family-friendly?
Definitely! Although it doesn’t offer specific family-focused activities like its sister hotel, Saunton Sands Hotel in North Devon (which we had the pleasure of visiting earlier this year), staff nevertheless make younger ones feel welcome.
Service
The AA Small Hotel Group of the Year award is presented each year in “recognition of a small hotel group that has a proven track record of striving to ensure the very best levels of service, food and accommodation”. Being that the Brend Collection is the current holder of this award tells you everything you need to know about the levels of service you can expect.
What we particularly liked was that staff from every department we encountered – housekeeping and reception to restaurant and maintenance – wore genuine (not forced) smiles and greeted us and other guests warmly.
Automatic check-in and check-out, where you can peruse your bill via a tablet at the reception desk was very convenient.
Facilities
The Royal Duchy isn’t a resort-style hotel offering myriad activities and facilities, but it is a top-class base from which to explore not only Falmouth but the surrounding area. That said, it’s also the kind of place we would happily have stayed at each day, relaxing with a coffee and cake on the sun terrace overlooking the sea.
However, there are facilities, such as an attractive indoor pool (open 7am-9pm) heated to a comfortable 32 degrees for residents to enjoy plus a children’s paddling pool. Alongside, you can detox with hot coals in the cedar sauna or, alternatively, lounge on one of the heated ceramic beds. If that’s not enough, you can workout in the adjacent gym.
If the weather is clement, guests can enjoy soaking up the sun on loungers positioned on the front lawn or, as previously mentioned, on the sun terrace which runs the full length of the hotel.
If the weather isn’t so bright but guests still fancy a dip in the sea or walk along a blustery sea front, they can borrow Dryrobes from the hotel lobby which we thought was a nice touch.
Accommodation
There are several options when it comes to rooms, including standard inland, standard sea-facing, deluxe sea-facing and family rooms. A lift is available for accessing the first and second floors.
All 45 rooms are light, airy and decorated in light-toned blues, greys, etc. Tea and coffee-making facilities plus TVs are found in each bedroom with deluxe and spacious options also containing a minibar. Bathrooms feature a mix of baths or showers.
We sampled the Armada Suite which offers extra space and can sleep four.
In addition to a roomy king size bed there is a sofa bed situated within the spacious lounge area. From here, we spent many moments relaxing in the armchairs looking out across the bay towards Pendennis Castle.
If you can afford the additional price, opt for a sea-facing room. But whichever you choose, you can expect a well-presented room where layout has been considered, such as positioning chairs by alcove windows.
Artwork is used throughout the hotel, including the bedrooms, with everything chosen by members of the Brend family.
Food & Drinks
The two AA-Rosette restaurant focuses on a localised menu, whenever possible, meaning guests sample only the “freshest ingredients straight from the farm,
field or boat”.
During our stay, we sampled breakfast, dinner and a delicious cream tea in the sun-drenched Terrace Lounge. Sometimes, hotels struggle when catering for vegans like me but not the Royal Duchy! We always had plenty to choose from. In fact, the hotel will always do its utmost to provide a suitable menu tailored to meet an individual’s needs.
3 Must-dos
Visit the National Maritime Museum
Opened in 2003, the award-winning National Maritime Museum Cornwall is found on the edge of town and offers plenty to keep you interested for hours, including 15 galleries spread over five floors.
In The Boat Hall you’ll find a flotilla of small boats hanging above your head plus plenty more displayed at ground level. Other highlights include the RNLI Rescue Zone, Cornwall and the Sea and a lovely café overlooking the harbour. By the way, your ticket entitles you to return throughout the year!
Explore Glendurgan Garden
Among the best in the area, this National Trust’s Grade II-listed garden is just six miles from the town. Described by its creators as a “small piece of heaven
on earth”, one of its main draws is the cherry laurel maze. Originally planted in 1833 by Quakers Alfred and Sarah Fox to entertain their 12 children, no one could have imagined it would still be delighting all ages nearly two centuries later.
But the rest of this lush, subtropical garden set within a quiet valley is equally enticing. With a mix of exotic wild plants, with approximately 8,000 different types of trees, shrubs and flowers, Glendurgan is a treat to visit.
Sail the River Fal
At the Prince of Wales Pier, jump aboard one of the regular boat trips offered by Fal River Cornwall. Ultimately, the boat trip itself is a wonderful experience, but the journeys are about the destinations, too.
Some visitors board the St Mawes Ferry, a half-hour crossing to the charming fishing village opposite Falmouth, while others choose a longer, circular river trip with Enterprise Boats, where you can disembark at National Trust’s Trelissick, with its house and gardens, and Malpas.
Details:
Address:
The Royal Duchy Hotel
Cliff Road
Falmouth
Cornwall TR11 4NX
Tel: 01326 313042
Location:
[Reviewed: October 2025]
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