The Lugger, Portloe
A cluster of whitewashed buildings huddled together in the tiny harbour of Portloe, if you were to paint a picture of the archetypal hotel in Cornwall by the sea, itd look something like The Lugger. On the facilities front its romance credentials are impeccable, too: the rooms are gorgeous, theres a tiny spa, an excellent restaurant, and a bar where, to hole up in and listen to the wind whistle in from the Atlantic on wild, wintry nights, counts as one of the most atmospheric hotel experiences anywhere.
Read our full review of The Lugger
The Llawnroc, Gorran Haven
Over in the lovely little village of Gorran Haven is The Llawnroc, one of the newest and boldest additions to the Cornwall boutique hotel scene. In contrast to the typical Cornish seaside surroundings, the interiors are a model of sleek, urban, boutique chic. The modern look might not be to everyones taste, but the luxe-y facilities and, especially, the food in the fine dining restaurant almost certainly will be.
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Driftwood, Rosevine
Contrary to the images the name conjures up with its hints of beachside flotsam and jetsam and perhaps even a faintly hippie vibe Driftwood is smart. Very smart, in fact. Yes, theres the odd sculpture of sea-smoothed sticks, but the rooms are simple but stylish, there are LOccitane smellies in the bathroom and the restaurant has recently been awarded a Michelin star. If thats not enough, stretching away from the hotels cliff top location, the Roseland peninsula is a series of one jaw-dropping view after another the perfect setting for windswept walks by the sea with the other half.
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The Old Quay House, Fowey
The Old Quay House boasts a handful of coastal cool rooms, a fabulous quayside location and a top-class bistro-style restaurant. Better still for anyone looking for a romantic Cornish weekend away by the sea, there are no small children allowed. Wearily settling in for a meal of Fowey Estuary mussels, Cornish lemon sole and chocolate brownies after a days being battered and blown about on the South West Coastal Path is absolutely heavenly...
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Westcroft Guesthouse, Kingsand
In some ways, Westcroft Guesthouse should have been the first name down on this list of Cornish hotels by the sea. Because, at just a hop, skip and a jump away from Plymouth, its one of the easiest to get to in a notoriously inaccessible part of the country. Not only that, but the 15-minute Cremyll ferry crossing provides a wonderfully romantic start to the weekend.
A slender Kingsand townhouse, it's more stylish little boutique B&B than hotel: the rooms are a lovely mix of Toile de Jouy patterns on the walls, four-posters and wooden floors, while the very special Clocktower Suite has a bath with a view up amongst the skylights. It even has its own gallery should you fancy picking something up to take home with you.
Read our full review of Westcroft Guesthouse
Like our pick of the best romantic hotels in Cornwall by the sea? For more wintry weekend away ideas, check out our selection of the best inns in the UK. Or see our full collection of places to stay.