Situated on Cornwall’s Lizard Peninsula with breathtaking views across the Atlantic, Polurrian on the Lizard is a place where vintage glamour meets coastal-contemporary. Retaining an air of elegance in an unfussy yet friendly way, this spectacular clifftop hangout is every bit as welcoming now as it was when it first opened as a fashionable railway hotel in the 1890s.
Boasting panoramic vistas and its own beach, this stylish property sits within attractive lawned gardens surrounded by windswept trees and blossoming flower beds. Crystal clear waters and golden sands await as a winding path from the terrace leads hotel guests down to the secluded Polurrian Cove below.
If unforgettable sunsets coupled with expertly mixed aperitifs are holiday musts, then this hotel should be top of your list. Floor to ceiling windows front the laid-back Vista Lounge where sundowners can be sipped in the form of artisan cocktails, wines from the county, Cornish-made gins, and regional beers and ciders. The sea-view restaurant serves up a variety of tasty dishes including classic hand-stretched pizzas fresh from the wood-fired Gozney oven plus Mediterranean-inspired recipes of fresh fish, locally sourced meats and seasonal vegetables.
Accommodation comprises 41 individually styled bedrooms, plus six luxury, three-bedroom self-catering villas each sleeping up to six guests. Polurrian on the Lizard also boasts an outdoor swimming pool, tennis court, Elemis spa area offering relaxing treatments, plus the Health Club featuring a gym, indoor pool and hot tub. Guests can also relax in the snug or games room, with a selection of function rooms available for celebrations, weddings and events including the Cove View Suite – a dedicated ‘blank canvas’ space with a private bar and an outdoor terrace.
This boutique hotel provides a brilliant base for exploring the rugged stretch of coastline it calls home and for discovering some of Cornwall’s untouched corners. With direct access to the South West Coast Path, guests can walk to the spot where Marconi sent the first transatlantic message, meander to hidden coves, quaint villages, and sandy beaches. The hotel offers blankets for beach picnics, buckets and spades for little ones, and crab lines for exploring rock pools. From Pilates to sea kayaking, surf lessons with a pro surfer, guided SUP trips, coasteering and horse riding, there is plenty to keep more active guests engaged.
Rooms cost from £119 per night on a bed and breakfast basis. For more information and to book visit www.polurrianhotel.com
ABOUT POLURRIAN ON THE LIZARD
Originally built in 1890, the Polurrian appealed to distinguished guests in its heyday. In 1901, Guglielmo Marconi stayed here while sending the first-ever transatlantic radio messages from nearby Poldhu Cove. In 1909, a fire devastated the original hotel, destroying everything but the terrace and steps near the tennis courts. Soon after, a new hotel was built and the Polurrian Hotel became a hive of activity once again, welcoming the likes of Winston Churchill and Hollywood stars Clark Gable and Gene Tierney. The hotel was refurbished in 2019 and reopened as Polurrian on the Lizard. The hotel is now embarking on a fresh chapter with a new owner and significant investment on the horizon.