St Mawes is a rare thing in Cornwall — a charming village which has not yet been spoilt by the huge influx of tourists that arrive every summer. Yes, it, and the surrounding countryside, have appeared in several series of Poldark; yes, it’s got a number of excellent restaurants, but it’s still home to a living seafaring community, with plenty of local sailing vessels in the harbour. So if you’re looking for a ‘proper’ Cornish experience you could do a lot worse than opting for one of the best places to stay in St Mawes! Some of our recommendations are still owned and operated by local folk, from the warm and welcoming B&Bs to an impressive restaurant-with-rooms.

St Mawes is blessed with a picturesque view: across the mouth of the River Fal to Falmouth on one side, and out to sea in the other directions. 16th century built St Mawes Castle overlooks the coast on the opposite side of the river to Falmouth. It’s one of the village's main attractions, a fine example of Tudor military architecture in three huge, circular bastions with gun ports and impressive defensive walls.

St Mawes' two very good beaches are family friendly, and the local tennis courts and sailing club can easily be accessed by non-members. The ferry across to Falmouth, and the National Maritime Museum, makes for a fun day out: Falmouth is a chirpy Cornish centre, with a lively set of shops, cafes and bars, including plenty of places worth poking your nose into on a damp day. St Mawes is also a ferry trip from the famous St. Anthony’s lighthouse, on the eastern entrance of Falmouth Harbour, and an excellent base out of which to explore the pretty villages and hamlets of the Roseland Peninsula.

As with the majority of Cornwall's coastal towns and villages, the best places to stay in St Mawes are extremely busy during the peak summer months. If you're planning a visit in either July or August, get organised and book well ahead!

The Best Places to Stay in St Mawes

For the Perfect Beach Break

• The Hotel Tresanton is a traditional-looking seaside hotel, with a white facade, a huge deck looking out to sea, and a relaxed, but stylish atmosphere. The 33 rooms and suites are large, light, airy and individually decorated  — with family suites decorated with unfussy details, but plenty of style. No room would be out of place in an interiors magazine! The communal spaces, including several lounges and the terrace, are friendly and comfortable, and there’s a children’s playroom, a well-stocked bar, and a popular restaurant with seasonally changing menu that reflects local farming conditions. The hotel also has a private yacht and a fleet of motor boats.
• The St Mawes Hotel is a chic, nautical-inspired hotel, its seven rooms, cosy communal spaces, and popular Cornish seafood restaurant offering plenty of seaside charm and style, using stripes, pale wood furniture, contemporary art, huge windows and plenty of blue and white. Unusual touches include the 25 seater cinema, take-away pizza option, and easy access to private dining. You can also expect sea views and easy access to the sea. Two of the rooms are dog friendly, and more are family-friendly.

For a Romantic Escape

• The Driftwood Hotel is an intimate choice, set in private grounds overlooking Gerrans Bay and Porthbean Beach, with its own perfect crescent of sand at the bottom of its cliff. There are just 14 rooms and suites, all stylishly decorated with a nod to the nautical, offering the perfect blend of comfort and luxury. The restaurant is similarly relaxed, but boasts 3 AA Rosettes, and an impressive wine list. About halfway between the hotel and the beach there’s a private cabin — perfect for romantics — and close to that is a pavilion where they will serve a private lunch, or an aromatherapy massage.

For Water Views

• The Idle Rocks is a 20-room hotel right on the harbour wall in St Mawes — a location difficult to top for sea views. The terrace is the best spot for enjoying the views, plus there's the popular ground floor restaurant, with its award-winning, Asian-twist-on-Cornish-classics menu. We recommend booking one of the sea view rooms on the first floor — some which have French windows onto private, sea-view balconies. The decor feels fresh and on-trend, with plenty of wide, white stripes, walk-in showers and fluffy towels.  Stylish simplicity, with great family-sized options.

Best B&Bs

• Nearwater is a warm and welcoming B&B on the opposite side of St Mawes to Falmouth. There are three lovely guestrooms, plus a self-catering annex, decorated with just the right amount of nautical charm, a cosy, but stylish, shared lounge with a fireplace and a small garden.

Prefer a Private Apartment or Cottage?

• If you'd prefer the privacy of a self-catering option then browse through the wide variety available online with our partner, Booking.com.

Travel Information

• The closest airport to St Mawes is Cornwall Airport Newquay, which is about 50 minutes away by car or taxi. Exeter and Bristol Airport are the other local alternatives. Exeter is about two hours away by road, and Bristol Airport is about three hours away by car or taxi. If you’re travelling via London trains leave from Paddington and take around five hours to Falmouth. From there it’s a ferry trip, or a taxi to St Mawes, which adds another 30 to 40 minutes. 
• If you want to hire a car we recommend you visit our online partner, Rentalcars.
• St Mawes is busiest in the summer when many families beat a path towards a beautiful swimming beach. But the charms of St Mawes last beyond the summer holidays, with good restaurants, galleries, and attractive shops appealing to ocean-loving visitors at all times of year. The Castle, and Lamorran House Garden, plus the ferry to Falmouth, mean there’s plenty to do in here year round.

Still not sure where to stay?

• Expand your search to include all the best places to stay in Cornwall
• Expand your search just beyond St Mawes, to include neighbours, like the best places to stay in Falmouth, or Mevagissey
• Refine your search by the type of accommodation you’re looking for and consider the best hotels in Cornwall for families, Cornwall’s best pubs-with-rooms, the most romantic hotels in Cornwall or Cornwall’s best sea view hotels
• Alternatively, you could contact one of our friendly Gurus for personalised advice.