It offers visitors fantastic views, oodles of home comforts and no shortage of things to do, come rain or shine.

It's got to be said that it looks like an absolute monstrosity from the outside, HRH You-know-who might even call it something like a carbuncle, but its straight from the '60s exterior belies its light, airy and contemporary interior. As soon as you walk in, you can tell it's different to other hotels. Wooden ride-on toys and toddler building blocks are scattered around reception and this theme continues into the open lounge overlooking the sea. With big squishy sofas, bright patterned cushions, random local art, wooden floors, big windows and let's not forget the fabulous view, this area has a kind of relaxed casualness where mums, dads, grandparents and children of all ages feel instantly comfortable and at ease.

Checking-into and staying at many of the 'chain' hotels can at times be quite stressful as no matter how family-friendly they try to make themselves with all their free colouring books and whatever, it rarely works. Here though at Bedruthan Steps, they really have got the balance just right somehow.
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Let's take the dining arrangements for example.... genius! The little ones can have tea in their own cafe if they want to, or teenagers can all eat together with their mates instead of with their parents, or the whole family can all eat together, or couples can eat on their own in a quieter area... Yup, it really is a case of do whatever suits you best and it all works very well. Mums and dads with boisterous toddlers need not worry about disturbing others as they can choose to eat in the most appropriate area for them. And if you're a couple away for a nice, peaceful weekend then rest assured you won't be disturbed. Brilliant!

Bedruthan Steps has a great environmental ideology and it is all done in a way we've not seen before; by involving and encouraging the guests to be as much a part of it, and in as many ways as possible. Yes, we've seen, and gone along with, the restricted bedding and towel-change and toiletries regimes that many chain-hotels employ, but at Bedruthan it is done on a much broader scale and it isn't a case of 'you really should think about the environment' but more of a 'look what can be done and how easy it is!' Storyboards dotted around the hotel show how their policies are reaping dividends for not just the hotel, but for the local area and the environment as a whole. Recycling is encouraged by the placement of categorised bins in the corridors, information leaflets and other prominent features. It really does encourage a greater effort and shows how little needs to be done to make noticeable improvements.

The rooms are large, really tastefully appointed and well finished. The south-west facing aspect harnesses the afternoon sun and the sliding doors can be opened to frame the magnificent views of the beach below. Just down the hill is the sister resort for grown-ups called Scarlet: it's billed as a 'Luxury Eco Hotel' and looks absolutely intriguing. The lower levels encompass the 'Villas' which open out onto the enclosed children's play areas, so are ideal for younger families. The large 'Apartments' adjacent to the main hotel are perfect for large groups or extended families.

Food is all locally-sourced and you can expect to find plenty of seasonal stuff and fresh sea food on the menu! The choice is good and presentation was excellent. The friendly staff really make the effort to interact and our table waitress spent lots of time describing the history of her homeland and how so many people get it wrong. We really do like to interact with staff, but on a couple of occasions we really felt the need to get on with our meal before it started to get cold.

Even when the heavens opened on our second day nothing seemed to deter from the peace and tranquility that the setting offered. The black dots bobbing in the surf below put a genuine scale of Mawgan Porth Beach which is omnipresent below you wherever you are in the hotel. Every level has a panoramic view of the bay and this is made even nicer by the sympathetic grassing-over of the roof in front of each level. It is rather like a stepped lawn when seen from above. To add just just a little more interest - or even entertainment to some - we were witness to the roof-mowing routine carried out remotely by a little robotic lawnmower, who wandered around, pirouetting and bobbing around the edges and obstacles. I'd seen vacuum cleaners that did a similar job, but the lawnmowing was enthralling! We watched for ages!

A visit to the on-site Ocean Spa rounded off our post Cream-Tea afternoon beautifully. Paired with the large indoor swimming pool and again looking out over the beach, it was a place to relax, indulge and simply chill out in such a fabulous setting. The spa staff were knowledgeable, friendly and helpful, yet remained almost inconspicuous throughout. Just as things should be! We were a

little disappointed that the steam room was out of action while we were there, but the extra time in the huge invigorating hot-tub more than compensated.

Despite Mawgan Porth being tucked away in a secluded bay, the Bedruthan Steps Hotel offers quick and convenient links to all local attractions, whether by the frequent local bus service or by car. Nothing is too far away, yet it all retains the reclusive air of a remote beach hideaway. Even getting there is a breeze, with Newquay Airport only a couple of miles down the road and mainline rail connections at Truro.

A small selection of shops and eateries down by the beach offers some alternative venues to those provided by the hotel and all seemed to have been given glowing testimonials by other guests.

Conversations with other guests revealed that there's a real mix of people using the hotel, from couples away for a quiet break to whole families taking their annual holiday. It offers something for everyone and it didn't disappoint in any way. Would we return? Definitely!

Nigel & Kathryn Crawford, Mum & Dad to 5 and Editors of TheBabyWebsite
May 2011

Additional Information on Bedruthan Steps Hotel

As well as offering all the usual services you'd expect of a top hotel, Bedruthan Steps also offers parent and baby rooms with a microwave and steriliser for those with very young babies and all our rooms have cold boxes and kettles. They also supply high chairs, cots, potties, baby baths, pelican bibs and beaker cups free of charge. The Children's Café is open for 'high tea'and serves a healthy menu and traditional favourites. For younger guests Bedruthan provides freshly prepared purees, jars of baby food, pelican bibs and beaker cups!
Childcare

Kid's Clubs most ages
Nanny Service
Baby Listening Service
Jungle Tumble
Ice Cream Parlour
Teenager's Room
Outdoor playgrounds
3 outside swimming pools
1 inside swimming pool

The Ocean Spa has:
Huge Spa Pool
Sauna
Steam Room
Caldarium and relaxation area
Hamman
The usual and many new spa treatments
Facial Skincare by REN
Maternity treatments by Mama Mio

Look Here for More Information on Bedruthan Steps Family Hotel in Cornwall

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