Hip-hip hotels
Hotel Tresanton
St Mawes
01326 270055
When designer Olga Polizzi's Tresanton opened in 1999, it sent shockwaves through the British hotel world: surely designer hotels belonged to Notting Hill, not an English seaside town? Now a favourite with stressed-out Londoners, the 26 roomslook out to sea. Keeping with the picturesque fishing village, the interiors have a simple nautical air with tongue-and-groove panelling, mosaic tiling and gleaming wooden floors. In summer, sit on the deck slurping oysters and a good wine while enjoying sweeping views of the bay.
£150-£265, including breakfast.
Rick Stein's hotels
Padstow
01841 5327000
The TV celebrity chef has expanded his Padstow accommodation empire to 29 rooms: 13 are above his Seafood Restaurant; 13 in St Petroc's Hotel overlooking the estuary; and three above the Rick Stein Café in the winding backstreets of town. He is opening another six luxury rooms next week in two converted houses behind his restaurant, leading to local mutterings that the town should be renamed Steinland. Rooms feature power showers, big baths, generous wardrobe space, CD players and fridges stocked with half bottles of white wine.
£70-£170, including breakfast.
St Enodoc
Rock
01208 863394
Opened in 1998 by the Marler family, who also own the Knightsbridge Green Hotel in London, the hotel was a trailblazer in trendy Cornish hotels. The Med interiors, the work of designer Emily Todhunter (best known for her work on celebrity chef Raymond Blanc's Le Manoir aux Quat' Saisons near Oxford) has all mod cons from pool, gym, sauna, squash court as well as superb views of the Camel Estuary.
£70-£195, including breakfast.
Fowey Hall
Fowey
01726 833866
Just 10 minutes' drive from the Eden Project, Fowey Hall is an unusual combination: it's posh and welcomes kids. Parents can escape their broods if they want - there's a daytime creche. Other highlights include a heated indoor pool and a Nintendo lounge. The hotel has 26 spacious rooms and is in a splendid nineteenth-century mansion that overlooks Fowey town and river.
£145-£375, half-board.
All hotel prices above are per room per night.
Foodie Cornwall
Beach Hut Bistro and Bar
Watergate Bay
01637 860840
This old bucket-and-spade shop has been converted into a laid-back eatery. It's decorated with driftwood and surrounded by large wooden decks. It's a cool surf hangout and it's easy to think you're in northern California rather than seaside Blighty as you watch the sun set, drinking an Amazingly Extreme Hot Chocolate (a mass of whipped cream, marshmallow and hot chocolate). The food is great too. Try the Thai chicken with deep fried noodles or the chef's speciality mint chocolate chip grilled scallops.
Sam's
20 Fore Street, Fowey
01726 832273
Another trendy, fun, surf dude hangout featuring lots of fresh mackerel, crab, oysters and scallops with background jazz. Specialities are the local mussels, covered in white wine and onion, served with crusty bread and salad or the bouillabaisse rich fish stew.
Blue
Porthtowan
01209 890777
More a beach bar than an eatery (though it does serve great Thai crab cakes, crispy buffalo wings, etc) Blue is an old pub right on the beach that was boarded up until rescued five years ago. In the evenings live bands play and killer cocktails go down a treat.
Porthminster Beach Café
Porthminster Beach, St Ives
01736 795352
This is a really good beach café with upmarket food. Housed in a Thirties art deco style structure, it was closed during the Second World War and stayed boarded up until the Nineties. The walls are lined with local artists' work. The food is heavily fish-biased (Cajun marinated king prawns, wok-fried squid in ginger, grilled John Dory etc). There are great views of St Ives harbour.
Rick Stein's Restaurant
Padstow
01841 5327000
You've seen the TV programme and read the book. Now it's time to eat in the restaurant. Book well in advance. Expect to splash out. Two-course set dinners start at £37, and a fixed lunch is from £31.50.
Your own place
Carn Eve
two miles from Land's End
Classic Cottages, 01326 555555,
Sits on clifftops with beach below and beautiful views out to Whitesand Bay and on a clear day, even the Scilly Isles. It has a large deck, and nothing between you and the stretch of beach in front. Recently renovated with big windows and equipped with everything you need, including a microwave and dishwasher. More affordable if split between 14 friends, the maximum number it sleeps.
£936-£2,541 per week.
Penvose
on the Boconnoc estate between Loswithiel and Liskeard
www.forgottenhouses.co.uk, 01326 340153
This is a member of Forgotten Houses (which has some of the most unusual properties in the area) all of which come with architectural floor plans so you can decide which bedroom to bag beforehand. The star of the 2001 brochure is Penvose, a secluded house on a 26 sq mile estate, with woods, streams and parkland, a south-facing terrace, conservatory and huge rooms.
£560-£1,195 per week.
Getting there fast
Fly to Newquay from Gatwick on British Airways (0845 7733377) in one hour 15 minutes. Fares from £99.30.
• Contact the Cornwall Tourist Board, 01872 322900.
