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Oh, how I love this place. We are returning this year with our two children (aged 2 and 5) for our fourth consecutive year. Our friends are on their sixth visit. It's my own seventh time, since I came three times as a child.
It was fantastic then and it's even better now. Back in the 70s I remember my mum and myself wearing long dresses for dinner, with dancing to a live band several nights a week. Now it's the children who have the weekly fancy-dress disco (do pack dressing-up clothes, the children take it all quite seriously!), and the adult dress code is a little less formal (though it is a golden opportunity to get your nicer clothes out). The other reviews on this site give all the details of food, pools, playgrounds and so on, so I'll just add a few thoughts that may be helpful. Firstly, the beach is just amazing. It's huge, both in depth and width. At the top there are some wonderful beach and surfing shops, a pizzeria, and a couple of pubs and cafes. Then there's a shallow stream that runs through the sand down to the sea - my little one so loved this that she took her first real steps in the water. Along the cliffs there are caves and rockpools, and then there's the sea itself which, on a sunny day, is full of cheerful children trying to bodyboard. The lifeguards are very much in evidence to ensure safety.
Secondly, there are dozens of lovely places to visit that are reasonably close by. Lots of little fishing villages such as Mevagissey and Port Isaac, the ubiquitous Ricksteinville (formerly known as Padstow) and St Ives a little further afield. The hotel has an excellent information room with leaflets and details on everything you could possibly want to visit. The babylistening service is a lifesaver (although you live in fear of the barman striding through the restaurant shouting "Room 44, your baby's crying!). For the slightly older children, the clubs operate into the evenings so you can still have a civilised adults-only evening. As with any English holiday, you are a bit dependent on the weather When the sun shines, it's paradise, but if it rains or it's cold (which it often is, even in August), there's not a lot to do other than stick the kids in the clubs and retire to the adult lounge with a good book, cursing at the thought of how great it would be here if the sun would only shine. You can take them to the indoor pool or the soft play room, but only for so long... The emphasis is on the children, with the adults receiving excellent care too. You wouldn't stay here if you didn't have children under 10 or so. It contrasts with other family hotels we have stayed at such as the Wooley Grange group, which I would characterise as hotels for adults with the children taken care of too. Last year my son was so desperate to get back to Bedruthan Steps that he wouldn't even let us stop for coffee on the motorway down there. Just go - I can't believe there's a better family hotel in England.
Karen Lush
2005
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The Bedruthan Steps Hotel on the North West coast of Cornwall is a child's paradise. Everything here is geared towards children with pockets of adult only areas. From the car park this hotel looks quite holiday campish. Inside and to the rear is a different story. The hotel is well furnished and excellently laid out. It overlooks Mawgan Porth beach which is just a short walk away so most areas enjoy wonderful views and of course beautiful sunsets. The hotel is laid out in terraces, the roof of each section is laid to lawn which enhances the outlook and provides more space for play areas and outside relaxing areas.
For children there are four play areas (3 outside one of which is an adventure playground perfect for 5 years plus and a large indoor soft room with sides, ball pit, climbing walls etc), 2 outdoor pools and one indoor pool, little tikes cars and soft play toys all day in the main hall area, crèche facilities for newborns – teenagers, and a restaurant for children only with dinner being served until 6.15pm. The food was perfect for our children. A choice of pizza, chips, fresh vegetable, fresh fish, a selection of fruit, fairy cakes, and hot chocolate cake with hot sauce!!! And to cap it all a complimentary mug of tea for parents supervising their children's meals. Every evening between 6pm – 7 pm there is some form of children's entertainment in the main hall. We watched a highly amusing magician / balloon sculpture enthral the children with his talent. Our children left the show having been assistants and with their arms full of balloon flowers, animals and pirates swords!
Bedruthan also boasts an outstanding OFSTED registered all year round childcare programme catering for Tadpoles (birth to 18 months), Minnows (19 months – 3 years) and Dolphins (age 3 – 6 years). During each school holiday period childcare can be arranged for children up to 16 years of age. The crèche facilities were well laid out with excellent indoor activities but with an emphasis on outdoor play time (at least twice a day).
We (2 adults and children aged 7, 4 and 16 moth old twins) stayed in a Sea View Villa. This was surprisingly spacious with an open plan double bedded room (with direct views across the sea) / sitting area with a room divider incorporating a door between the two areas. The large rear facing en suite bedroom had two bunk beds and a cot (well two cots in our case!). Plenty of space for us all to 'live' and the fantastic bonus of large patio doors opening out onto one of the play areas. With its own pirate ship, see saws, mini golf, swings etc. It was lovely for us to be able to sit on our patio watching the children running free in such a large play space. In the early evening there were also rabbits running free which amused our children enormously.
Once we had settled our by now exhausted children into bed, we dressed for dinner (there is no strict dress code – but t-shirts and jeans are not recommended), turned the baby monitor on and headed for the dining area. We enjoyed good wine, excellent service and a delicious meal. Coffees and liqueurs were served in the bar afterwards.
At breakfast we chatted with other guests. One family with three children were back for their third stay, saying that for them it was the ideal family holiday location. Plenty of things for children to do on site and in the surrounding area (Padstow is about 10 minutes away, the fantastic Eden Project just 30 minutes away and beautiful beaches all around), the option of some daytime childcare and the knowledge that evenings are just for parents with time to relax and enjoy good quality food in a delightful setting.
My husband indulged in a massage at the Ocean Spa. A wide range of treatments are offered from Indian Head Massages to Japanese Silk Eye Zone Therapy. He came out so relaxed he remained positively calm throughout the 6 hour drive home with a 16 month old screaming with car boredom!!!
When it was time to leave our 4 year old asked hopefully "Will we ever come back here?" I think we probably will. It really is the prefect family holiday spot.
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I just wanted to write a few comments about our stay at Bedruthan Steps in
October. First of all we had a lovely time! The hotel staff were very friendly and accommodating to our needs. The food on the whole was very good as was the atmosphere in the hotel. The facilities were very good, there were lots of things to do and see & we all really enjoyed ourselves. I will be recommending this hotel to my friends. |
We spent a week at the Bedruthansteps hotel in Cornwall in September, the
week after the schools reopened which meant that there were lots of young
families with sub 5 year olds.
We had the luck of the best weather of the summer which enabled us to spend
time on the fabulous beach nearby.
The real treat for us however, with a 2 year old and a 3 month baby, was to
have a candlelit dinner each night while the reception staff monitored the
children over the baby listening service.
The staff were attentive and good humoured and we were never made to feel
awkward with a badly behaved child.
We've already recommended both this venue and the website to friends. |
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We went to Bedruthan during a cold February half term. Despite the weather we had a fantastic time! The hotel is spacious, welcoming and comfortable. The facilities for families with young children are excellent. My two could have spent the week in Jungle Tumble, a soft play area The pool was clean and warm, changing facilities were fine. We had dinner, bed and breakfast - what a luxury! We pre-booked a babysitter and enjoyed a four course meal every night in the lovely restaurant. A real treat. We had a really relaxing time.
Kath Jordan
Feb 06
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