“A chic boutique hotel bursting with character in pretty Penzance. Unique rooms have eclectic art, vintage furniture, and the best have freestanding tubs. Laidback Clubhouse is a lounge and bar serving all-day food and drinks. While there are buzzy cafes and pubs nearby. A stylish stay.”

Hotel review

Artist Residence Penzance has charm by the bucketload and thankfully never feels as though it is trying too hard. It’s been around for 10 years already and was one of the first boutique hotels to open in Penzance. It’s also family and dog-friendly. Set inside a Georgian townhouse on Chapel Street, one of the best streets in town, it mixes vintage furniture, bold artwork and playful touches (bathroom doors are vintage and sliding) in a way many boutique hotels attempt but rarely pull off.

Every room feels individual. Some have sea views, others roll-top baths or exposed stone walls, and the overall feeling is much more like staying in a stylish friend’s home than a traditional hotel. There’s a cottage that sleeps six across three bedrooms, perfect for friends and family. It’s worth noting that the rooms at the top of the building in the summer months can become extremely warm.

The bar, restaurant and terrace (which has its own bar ‘The Shack’ with regular DJ evenings) gives the hotel much of its energy with locals and visitors drifting in for brunch, cocktails and dinner. There is a looseness to the atmosphere that works particularly well in Cornwall. Staff are welcoming and easy-going rather than overly polished, which suits the hotel and the location perfectly.

Penzance itself is often overlooked by people racing towards overcrowded St Ives, though staying here makes you question why. You are within easy reach of west Cornwall’s beaches, galleries and coastal walks while avoiding some of the crowds. It is creative, relaxed and a lot more fun than many boutique hotels trying much harder to impress.

Recommended for

  • Active Holiday

    • Don your wetsuit and hit the waves, followed by a blustery coastal walk, bike ride and back for a hearty nights sleep
  • Foodies

    • Nearby cookery schools offer foraging courses, and the town is peppered with lovely organic meat and produce shops
  • Families

    • While several of the rooms can take cots, families should book The Cottage which sleeps up to 6
  • Pet friendly

    • 1 dog is allowed per room (2 in the Cottage) & is provided with Lily’s Kitchen organic dog treats, bed & bowls at £15 per night
  • Other Activities

    • Take a day trip to St Ives and visit Tate St Ives, then head to the Barbara Hepworth Museum & Sculpture Garden
  • Cycling

    • Cycle to Marazion along the Cornish Way Cycle Path
  • Sights nearby

    • Fairytale island castle of St Michael’s Mount
  • Artworks

    • Each unique room was added to by a local artist
  • Restaurant

    • Laidback Clubhouse serves casual British fare
  • Surfing

    • At Sennen Cove where everything can be hired
  • Beach nearby

    • The beach at Porthcurno is 9 miles away
  • Wildlife Area

    • Eden Project is 45 minute drive
  • No restaurant

    • Breakfast is available
  • Quirky

  • Child friendly

  • Great walks

  • Chic

  • Eco

  • Family Suites

  • Full of character

Facilities

  • Rooms

    19 rooms in this hotel
  • Pet friendly

    1 dog is allowed per room (2 in the Cottage) & is provided with Lily’s Kitchen organic dog treats, bed & bowls at £15 per night
  • Restaurant

    Laidback Clubhouse serves casual British fare
  • No restaurant

    Breakfast is available
  • Walking distance restaurants

  • Bar

  • Family Suites

  • Wifi

  • Room service

  • Child friendly

  • Garden

Activities

  • Other Activities

    • Take a day trip to St Ives and visit Tate St Ives, then head to the Barbara Hepworth Museum & Sculpture Garden
  • Cycling

    • Cycle to Marazion along the Cornish Way Cycle Path
  • Sights nearby

    • Fairytale island castle of St Michael’s Mount
  • Surfing

    • At Sennen Cove where everything can be hired
  • Wildlife Area

    • Eden Project is 45 minute drive
  • Great walks

Map & Location

See what they say

Why do people love staying in your hotel?
Because we are unique! Every room is different and we aim to be a home away from home for our guests.

What is there to do in the area?
St Michael's Mount is a main attraction in the area, along with the Minack Theatre. We are also so close to the harbour for the boat to the Isles of Silly!

What kind of breakfast do you offer?
Al a carte. We do not offer a buffet. Guests can order from the menu each morning and dishes are cooked to order.

Do you offer other meals? And can you recommend good places to eat out locally?
We do evening meals every day from 6pm. There are great restaurants nearby.

Which are your most popular room types, and why?
The Lookout - our biggest suite with dual aspect views of the sea and a balcony. 

The Cottage - can fit a family of 6

What facilities do you have for children and can you fit extra beds in your rooms ?
We can accomodate in children in the Cottage, the Lookout and Mini Lookout. 
We cannot put extra beds in any other room.

What message would you like to give The Hotel Guru readers?
Thanks for coming! 

Other reviews

Artist Residence Penzance, Cornwall: hotel review

Friendly staff show us to the Picture Room, a light and airy double with crisp white linen and walls hung with playful graphic prints saying things such as “Rise and shine”. It’s modest rather than spacious: a comfy double bed leaves room for two stylish arm chairs and a desk with views to the neighbouring buildings. (Only the two attic rooms have sea views.)

Originally published by The Guardian

Artist Residence hotel, Cornwall: review

Downstairs, the original small Georgian rooms have been replaced by a stripped-back white exhibition space. Bedrooms are up narrow stairs, each individually decorated in a quirky style down to the bedside lights and tooth mugs: Admiral Benbow has colourful murals of Penzance street scenes; Upcycled has a mushroom-shaped bed and Cubist iconography; An Enchanted Forest has silver flowers and trees.

Originally published by The Telegraph

Artist Residence

Originally published by Good Hotel Guide

Artist Residence

Originally published by Good Hotel Guide

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