This luxury eco bolt-hole is a must for stressed out parents looking for the perfect staycation minus the kids.
Located a short drive from Newquay airport, The Scarlet with its big kids only policy, sits nestled into the North Cornish cliffs, overlooking the ruggedly beautiful Mawgan Porth beach. Despite being bordered by residential properties, the hotel’s uninterrupted views of the vast blue Atlantic Ocean mean that once you are safely tucked up inside the feeling is that of total seclusion.
The staff are friendly and warm without being imposing and have an uncanny knack of remaining out of sight until you need them, at which point they miraculously appear. On arrival we noticed that there wasn’t a reception desk but a sign stating that someone will be with you shortly and they were. No task is too big for staff at The Scarlet but you won’t find any ‘sirs or madams’ here, just good old-fashioned friendliness and a genuine smile.
The Scarlet’s eco credentials mean that there is plenty of talk, should you invite it, of solar panels and reed-bed filtration. Whilst you’d be forgiven in thinking that might result in a lack of luxury, you’d be wrong. The Scarlet’s priority is indeed to exist in harmony with the environment, but the stylish interior of the hotel, decked out with modern furniture in luxurious fabrics, gives the overall impression of abundant opulence – all without a wind turbine in sight. Spread out over several floors, each room boasts floor to ceiling glass windows that reveal uninterrupted views of both sea and sky.
The general atmosphere is calming and familiar yet luxurious. Guests mooch from room to room in the same relaxed manner they might at home; curled up reading a book in the library or drinking a coffee and gazing calmly out at the spectacular view in the dining room.
The hotel offers five different types of room; Just Right, Generous, Spacious, Unique and Indulgent. Each one is open-plan with the focus, much like the rest of the hotel, dedicated towards the spectacular view. The Scarlet believe that tea and coffee should be freshly brewed from tealeaves and locally sourced ground coffee, so you won’t find tea-making facilities in the rooms. However, complimentary tea and coffee can be ordered as a wake-up call in the morning and is available from room service throughout the day. The beds are comfortable and inviting and the open-plan bathrooms mean that a leisurely soak in the tub whilst watching the sunset is something of a must.
The spa is at the heart of The Scarlet with the bromine infinity pool, blending uninterrupted into a view of the Atlantic, acting as a focal point. Additionally, the eucalyptus infused steam room, relaxation space – complete with suspended relaxation pod and suede recliners – and extensive list of Ayurvedic spa treatments will help you in your quest to fully relax.
The highlight of our stay was without doubt a soak in one of the outdoor log-fired hot tubs. We chose to soak in a nutritious, collagen-rich seaweed bath, which we were told would help the detoxifying process further. Perched on the edge of the cliff and overlooking the beach we basked in the early spring sunshine whilst the seaweed did its work. To finish we took an invigorating dip in the reed-filtered, freshwater outdoor pool. The hot tubs are an added extra, but we say it’s worth every penny.
The hotel restaurant, which is open all day, really comes into its own during the evening. The daily-changing menu focuses on local produce, with fish featuring heavily. There’s also a great choice of locally reared meat and seasonal vegetables available. Each dish is accompanied by a suggested tipple, which makes poring over their comprehensive wine list a choice rather than a necessity.
Because the focus is on complete relaxation, there is no mobile signal at the hotel and Internet access has to be requested from reception and plugged into a socket in your room. The upside is that this allows you to really switch off from outside distractions but the obvious downside is not being contactable should you need to be. However, once connected to the Internet point, a quick Skype chat to your loved ones before you head out for a lazy dinner would be more than doable.
The Scarlet really is the perfect get-away for stressed out parents in need of a complete break to recharge their batteries. The only real challenge here is to attempt to leave feeling anything less than 100% refreshed and relaxed.
Need to know facts:
Rooms: 37 rooms, varying in price and luxury; Just Right, Generous, Unique, Spacious and Indulgent.
Rates: Prices range from £190 p/n for BB in a Just Right room, low season to £490 p/n DBB high season in a one of the Indulgent suites.
Facilities: Relaxation terrace, spa, indoor pool, aroma steam room, tented treatment zone, relaxation area, meditation room, deep relaxation space, chemical free outdoor pool, log-fired hot-tubs, library, pool table, WiFi on request, Satellite TV, tea and coffee on request, complimentary Tri-dosha products.
Check out times: 11am
How to get there:
By plane: The nearest airport is Newquay Airport. (10 mins drive). By train: Bodmin Parkway Station (30 mins drive). By car: Located between Padstow and Newquay.
For more information or to book a stay please visit www.scarlethotel.co.uk