After living in England for almost two decades, I finally made the journey down to Cornwall, where I had the pleasure of staying at Fowey Hall, Luxury Family Hotel’s flagship hotel. A stunning Victorian mansion overlooking the beautiful Cornish fishing town of Fowey and its estuary, it recently relaunched in spring this year, after having undergone a significant multi-million pound renovation and expansion since 2020.
The hotel’s 36 bedrooms, lounges, restaurant and children’s games areas have all been given a fresh and luxurious new look, a real labour of love by their interior designer team who have worked with renowned local artists and craftsmen to create a range of bespoke interiors which celebrates the best of craftsmanship in both Cornwall and Britain.
You are struck by a feeling of grandeur the moment you walk through the entrance, passing by a grand piano and the hotel’s historic lobby lit by an eye-catching Jamb globe chandelier hanging from the ceiling. The lobby retains many of its original feature and charming parquet flooring which dates back to 1899 when Fowey Hall was built as a private house by local businessman Sit Charles Hanson. I was particularly fond of the lounge areas furnished with inviting sofas upholstered in classic British heritage fabrics, alongside feature fireplaces which would be a great spot to warm up with a book (or glass of wine) during the chillier months. Their extensive library which retains its original bookshelves has been fully restocked with more than 700 new books for adults and children of all ages to enjoy. Games rooms have been kitted out with retro arcade machines, table tennis and pool tables, popular with guests young and old. The hotel even boasts a cinema room, playfully furnished with vintage cinema seats.
Another new addition is the Morning Room Bar which overlooks the garden terrace, offering a versatile space for morning coffee through to evening drinks. Blessed with good weather, guests (us included) were particularly drawn towards the garden terrace which was the perfect location to while away the balmy summer evenings.
The Room
We stayed in one of their Deluxe View Rooms, Claire, one of The Mansion House’s 16 bedrooms which have been refurbished and featured oak wooden floors, elegant pieces of antique furniture, an oversized wool rug, and a bespoke handmade turned oak bed, beautifully lit by the abundance of natural light flooding through the two large paneled windows which looked out towards the sea. Coffee and tea amenities were provided (I do love a cheeky Nespresso caffeine fix), and the crab-shaped short bread biscuits was a nice touch. There was plenty of hanging and storage space which was certainly ideal for those like myself who packs multiple outfits for each day! The en-suite bathroom featured a waterfall shower over the bath and came stocked with Bramley toiletries, robes, and slippers.
Charlotte was also provided with her own dogbed, bowls, towels, as well as a little welcome pack with snacks and another tennis ball to add to her collection.
The Food
We enjoyed dinner at their in-house restaurant on our first night where their chefs create seasonal menus using the best local ingredients, complemented by Cornish-inspired flavours. For starters we had the smoked salmon served with sourdough, capers, egg, and gravadlax sauce, and the decadent Fowey Hall twice-baked cave-aged cheddar soufflé. I’m often partial towards seafood and went for the buttered hake, with chorizo, and mixed bean & fennel stew as my main, whilst my meat-loving guest tucked into the rump steak cooked medium rare with a red wine jus and chips, complemented by some sides; triple cheese and chive croquettes, harissa roasted green beans, and BBQ’d hispi cabbage. Finishing on a sweet note, we shared between us the egg custard tart with fresh berries and a knickerbocker glory.
Hotel breakfasts are one of highlights of any holiday. They had a breakfast buffet laid out which offered a selection of pastries, cereal, fruit, cheese and charcuterie, as well as a small menu of made-to-order hot dishes such as eggs benedict, smoked salmon with scrambled eggs on sourdough toast, and a simple but wholesome bacon muffin. We dined in their opulent dining hall on our first morning and then opted to have breakfast on the terrace the next day which was a delightful affair – apart from a sneaky visit from a local resident, Steven Sea-gull, who swooped in for a cheeky pastry and swig of my orange juice whilst our heads were turned. He must enjoy hotel breakfasts as much as I do.
The hotel has also thankfully lifted restrictions on pets in dining areas, allowing guests to enjoy their meals with their four-legged family members. Good news for Charlotte who has become an avid restaurant reviewer.
The Spa/Pool
The spa is located a short walk from the main hotel building with a 12-metre indoor pool and a vast terrace equipped with lounge chairs where guests can enjoy relaxing views out over Fowey to the sea beyond. They also have a brand new expansive outdoor pool with panoramic coastal views, the only luxury hotel on the south Cornish coast to offer this facility, and an exciting addition for the summer months.
A word of thanks to Fowey Hall and Luxury Family Hotels for hosting us over the weekend; one my favourite hotels that I have stayed in to date, and certainly a strong start to a glorious summer ahead of us.
- My experience at Fowey Hall was complimentary – views and photos are my own.
