Check In: Book Into The Cool Cornish Adults Only Eco-spa

One of Cornwall’s most loved spa hotels, The Scarlet has been proudly flying the flag for adults-only eco-luxury since it opened.

Minimalist modern design makes the most of its cliff top position, while the wooden barrel-like hot tubs are the place to come on a summer sunset.

The rooms

Stretching like a mid-century modern Californian villa across the cliff, the hotel’s rooms all offer outside space, overlooking either gardens, cliffs or the sea.

Open plan is the name of the game here, with bathrooms included in the rooms and a wet room separated by a frosted glass door. There’s no AC so in summer slide open the full length windows and breathe in the sea air.

The views

Take in the sweeping square jawed bay of Mawgan Porth from the lobby’s floor to ceiling windows, gaze over the natural pond pool or soak up Cornwall’s coastline from your room.

The service

The Scarlet follows a pretty informal style of staffing, which is attentive without being presumptuous.

The menu

Seasonal and Cornish, the dinner menu offers two or three courses for a set price plus a wine flight, while the breakfast menu changes daily but always includes Polgoon Cornish apple juice, house-blended Cornish roasted coffee and fresh smoothies. For dinner the Chateaubriand with hand-cut chips is eternally popular.

The bar

While the mid-level bar can be a bit dark in summer, there are plenty of spots to order your fizz to, from hidden away terraces to the famous hot tubs that sit on the cliff-edge. Book a bottle and a hot tub and gaze over the Atlantic.

The spa

Let’s face it most people come here for the spa, which is one of the best spas in the UK.

An Ayurvedic approach sees you sit with a consultant to personalise your treatment. Then it’s face down in one of the rooms that are separated with what look like duvets hung up to make an adult sized fort. There’s also a rhassoul for mud treatments and a hammam for scrubbing away the urban dirt.

The sustainable bit

From eco-design and recycled materials to keeping you connected to the landscape at all times, the Scarlet’s eco-luxe ethos has been well documented.

It’s authentic, well thought out and inspiring. You can also give a donation to one of their charities; Surfers Against Sewage, COAST or the National Trust. It has a gold grading from Green Tourism.

3 reasons to book

Inside the spa is a dark room with teardrop shaped pods hanging from the ceiling like empty cocoons of mythical sized moths. Climb inside amongst the blankets and we’ll defy you not to calm the fuck down.

Complimentary teas and coffees throughout your stay sounds like a little thing, but it makes all the difference when you’re lounging around and fancy a cuppa. The black T-shirted waiters do a grand job of spotting when you’re in need.

The Scarlet’s yoga packages are excellent and include one-on-one time with one of their yogis who are trained in Vinyasa and Hatha yoga. If it’s sunny take a mat down to the beach for a downdog on the sand.

Where is The Scarlet?

A few miles north of Newquay and close to Newquay airport, Mawgan Porth is a tiny coastal village that backs onto a wonderfully off-the-radar surfing and swimming bay.

Free Wifi? Yes.
Dog friendly? Yes.
Child friendly? No