Porth Avallen Hotel

Go for any fish, or seafood on the menu as it is bound to be good. The rooms are comfortable, clean and well equipped. The staff were all great and the only criticism I have is that the WiFi was impossible to use in our first floor room.

Following on from a few days in Devon at Soar Mill Cove (q.v. review) we came here to Carlyon Bay just outside St. Austell. Now I confess I first came to this hotel in 1977, and stayed quite regularly on business (with China Clay industry), but I had not been here since about 1992 ! I have also stayed at a number of other hotels in the area and this is my preference.
It hadnt changed a lot though I believe ownership has changed at least twice. Currently privately owned by George Abraham.
Magnificent view over the bay from the front of the hotel (a sea view room is preferable, but’extra’).
Our room was well decorated, and provided for, and comfortable.
Staff always polite and helpful.
Dinner provided a choice of 3 or 4 choice at each course, and was generally well executed, fish seemed to be particularly well done (eg Lemon Sole straight from the Looe day boat). Reasonable wine prices also.
Breakfast also served individually from the kitchen (none of those everfailing attempts to do a hot buffet that doesnt keep things hot) — the only horror was my pet aversion to butter wrapped in mini parcels, so you always get some on your fingers. They should at least manage to do ‘pull off’ ones !
I regard this hotel as better value than the Carlyon Bay Hotel (200yds away), though a good alternative would be the Cliff Head (200 yds away). I have stayed at these also but not recently.
This location is particularly good for anyone wishing to visit the Eden Project or equally enjoyable Lost Gardens of Heligan’