Great British Boltholes: Inside Merchants Manor in Falmouth – a stylish grown-up escape thanks to a bijou spa, indoor pool… and a ban on children under 12
- Vicki Reeve thinks the Cornwall hotel has “old-school elegance” combined with “breezy modernity.”
- And thanks to a ban on under-12s, plus hot tubs and a bijou spa — “a more grown-up vibe”
- ‘The relaxed ambiance is maintained by a team who ensure the independently run place feels like a family business’ – Vicki
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A look at Merchants Manor above Falmouth, the bustling port town on Cornwall’s south coast, reveals two dog sculptures in front of a Queen Anne-style mansion, leaded windows and a turret. Is it a little… set? How wrong impressions can be.
Inside, calm and airy modernity blends with old-school elegance. The lounges and restaurant are decorated in cool grey-green tones with wooden floors, mirrors, cozy sofas and cozy window corners. The art – alongside images of the grand mansion as it was built for a shipping merchant in 1913 – adds real interest.
Merchants Manor describes itself as an ‘adult haven’ – children under the age of 12 cannot stay. Two whirlpools in the secluded garden add to the more grown-up vibe, as do a bijou spa, indoor lap and hydrotherapy pools, a steam room, and a gym. In short, there’s nothing quite like it here, and the laid-back ambiance is maintained by a team whose warmth and quick wits ensure the independently run place feels family-run.
Says Vicki in the self-contained landlubber suite at Merchants Manor, one of two timber-frame self-catering “luxury rustic residences” built in 2018 with full access to the hotel
The Rastella restaurant offers an excellent seven course tasting menu which at £59 is excellent value. There’s tasty, crispy monkfish, traditional grain sourdough with farmed butter, excellent Falmouth scallops and char belly.
Vegetarian highlights? A tangy tomato consommé, beetroot with a chili hit and a stunning reinvention of strawberries and cream.
Rastella emphasizes local produce, and you can’t be more local than his talented chef, Aiden Blakely-May, who went to school across the street.
The Tardis-like hotel has an annex that houses all but five of the 39 varied rooms.
There are flat screen TVs, free WiFi, and the beds are comfortable. With showers, baths or both, all feature luxury Temple Spa products. While ten of the rooms have sea views, you’re not paying more for one, so it’s an added bonus.
We are located in the Landlubber, one of two timber frame self catering ‘Luxury Rustic Residences’ built in 2018 with full access to the hotel.
The quiet and airy Rastella restaurant, which offers “an excellent seven-course tasting menu”. And that for only €59
Merchants Manor is located above Falmouth, the bustling port town on Cornwall’s south coast
The elegant ground floor suite with glass walls, a 30m terrace and a private jacuzzi is quite fabulous. On the industrial style table in the lounge/kitchen area, a welcome hamper filled with local Polgoon wine, scones and ginger beer is another treat.
The linocuts by local artist Lou Tonkin are beautiful, as are the bright green-and-white zigzag floor tiles. The oak paneled bedrooms have rich drapes, large beds and stylish wet rooms with brass fittings and other stunning tiling. We sleep well.
Breakfast is good too – granola, yoghurt and compote, poached eggs, mushy peas, harissa and smoked salmon.
After a stroll to Gylly, the town’s sandy beach, I return to find my other half grinning in the hot tub. Exactly my feeling.
