The Scarlet is an adults only eco luxe beachfront oasis. Located on the coast of Cornwall, the 37 room boutique hotel has been carefully designed with wellness at the heart of everything they do. From the menu to the spa treatments to their personalised laid back approach, the Scarlet feels like your home away from home that you never want to leave.

Floor to ceiling windows wrap the building and local art and sculptures complete the corridors. A weekend at the Scarlet hotel will leave you feeling refreshed and rejuvenated. And that’s exactly how I feel as I write this blog post. Here are a few highlights from the stay:

THE NON HOTEL EXPERIENCE

The hotel’s presence fits seamlessly into the hills above Mawgan Porth beach in Cornwall. Only a ten minute drive from the Newquay airport, this pet-friendly hotel is easily accessible yet you are not. There is barely any phone reception in this area which lets you switch off completely. The hotel has been designed to blend into it’s surroundings of blue, green and natural materials. It feels more like a beach mansion than a hotel, with so many secluded areas of complete privacy.

As you step into the entrance of the hotel, you feel like you have stepped into another world. Your gaze will drift over the infinity pool water feature and out to the beach below. A sudden veil of serenity sweeps over you as the host welcomes you to take a seat in the lounge. There is no check in desk or reception, rather a personalised meet and greet which continues with a tour around the hotel.

THE QUIRKY ACCOMMODATION

The luxury design hotel has 37 gorgeously appointed rooms which span over 5 levels. There are five types of room; from the “Just Right” to the “Indulgent.” Each room has an open plan bathroom, a sea facing view with an outdoor balcony. They have also included all your important girly bits including a bathrobe, slippers and a powerful hair dryer (yes this matters to the ladies). You can expect pops of scarlet and natural materials in their Scandinavian designed rooms.

THE DELICIOUS FOOD

Whether you eat at the restaurant or dine from the 24 hour menu elsewhere in the hotel, you are in for a treat. There are fresh daily juices, creative salads and heart warming soups – perfect for your post spa treatment.

The team are more than happy to switch out the bread for a mushroom in your breakfast, or offer almond milk for your cappuccino (thank you so much). But there wasn’t much swapping needed as the menu has been designed with many “wellness” dishes – so all the hard work has been done for you.

My favourites of the stay was the eggs florentine for breakfast and the honeycomb pudding for two (this was an artwork and tasted even better than it looked). Even if you are too tired in the evening to get dressed up and dine out, they offer a healthy selection delivered straight to your room for no extra charge (this may have happened). And every dish comes with a view of the ocean. Devine!

THE AYURVEDIC SPA

Designed for customisation, there is so much to choose from at the Ayurvedic Spa. There are bespoke journeys that could last up to 4 hours (or more), each element designed to leave you feeling a million dollars. Choose between salt and seaweed scrubs, a massage with hot poultices or a traditional hammam. I opted for the Rhassoul treatment for a bit of sea salt scrub and mineral mud mask. Best experienced with a partner or a friend for maximising the fun. The scrub, rinse, mud mask, steam and rain shower left our skin soft and silky. We were literally radiating beams of sunshine.

THE DAILY YOGA

No matter what day of the week you stay, there is a morning class of yoga for all to attend. They mix up the styles including vinyasa flow to restorative and everything in between. In the cooler months they have a dedicated ocean facing yoga room or a garden sun trap to get downward facing, and in the warmer months, they take the yoga alfresco. If you’re up for more than one class daily, you can also request a private lesson.

THE POOL + SAUNA + STEAM ROOM + HOT TUBS

The wellness facilities at the Scarlet hotel are beyond amazing. There’s a turquoise tiled steam room, an indoor pool which faces the ocean with floor to ceiling windows, a natural reed filtered outdoor pool which would be ace in the warmer months, wood cladded hot tubs, an outdoor sauna, a mediation room and a heaps of places to chill out. 

Bean bags and hanging cocoons make for the best post spa rest spot served with a cup of Pukka herbal tea. The best part is, you can come as a day guest to experience all the tranquility that is on offer.

WHAT’S THERE TO DO

There is no reason at all to leave the hotel. You have everything you need and more for a relaxing wellness weekend. You can eat, drink, spa and be merry. However, if you are feeling adventurous, there are two beautiful coastal walks I would recommend you take from the hotel.

The first option will have you climbing the left footpath from the hotel. You will have a stunning walk that hugs the coastline for just over an hour. After the walk you will reach Watergate Bay where there is plenty to choose from for some refreshments. We dined at Jamie Oliver’s beachfront restaurant, Fifteen. The menu was fantastic and so was the glass of bubbles. The next day we took the path to the right and walked for about 30 minutes. In this direction you will find a cliff top tea house that serves breakfast, lunch or afternoon – whatever takes your fancy.

THE SERVICE

The staff are welcoming yet invisible. They immediately appear when you need them, and quickly disappear when you don’t. Our evening complimentary teas were delivered with a smile, and there was no request too big or too strange. My iPhone got as excited as I did about our hut tub session and went for a swim in the tub. Oliver, our hot tub attendant was more than happy to go and fetch a bowl of rice to help resuscitate my phone (and yes it came back to life).

I stayed for two nights, but it felt like a week. Time stopped, my batteries were recharged and I couldn’t think of one thing that would have made my stay better. Five stars for wellness and luxury and an extra star for sending me away on cloud nine.

For rates and more information, visit The Scarlet Hotel’s website.

X Phoebe

Phoebe Greenacre was a guest of The Scarlet Hotel in April 2016.

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