Great British boltholes: The stunning hotel by Cornwall’s Camel Estuary offering charming coastal-style rooms, Michelin-star-baiting food and epic views
- Vicki Reeve checks into St Enodoc Hotel in Rock where ‘nothing is flashy or try-too-hard’
- Her estuary-view double room has a super-king-size bed and a fresh white bathroom with Bramley toiletries
- She enjoys a nine-course tasting menu at Karrek, the ‘smarter, more intimate’ of the hotel’s two restaurants
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On Camel Estuary, a stone’s-throw from Polzeath and a ferry-crossing from Padstow, Rock in Cornwall is beloved by boaties.
Its long, sandy beach and wonderful walking trails also make it a magnet for holidaymakers. But when the waterfront’s busy, it may well all feel a bit hectic, so praise be for the marvellous St Enodoc Hotel.
Perched on a hillside overlooking the estuary on one side and plush countryside on the opposite, it was originally built as a non-public house in 1924.
Vicki Reeve checks into St Enodoc Hotel in Rock, pictured, which offers epic views over the Camel Estuary
The hotel is run by young couple James and Lucy Strachan, whose family bought and renovated St Enodoc in 2019 and reopened just weeks before the lockdown
The aloof location means you’re removed from the madding crowd, but capable of dip out and in of the excitement below as and once you select.
After we arrive, climbing the steps from the automobile park through its nicely planted gardens, we pass the outdoor pool, a petanque court and Zen zone. Friendly, relaxing vibes permeate the sunshine, vibrant, cozy interior. Nothing is flashy or try-too-hard.
Young couple James and Lucy Strachan, who run things, are very hands-on. Their family bought and renovated St Enodoc in 2019 and reopened just weeks before lockdown. A Rocky start? You’d never comprehend it now.
Vicki describes the hotel’s interior as light, vibrant and comfortable. ‘Nothing is flashy or try-too-hard,’ she notes
Vicki stays in a ‘charming’ coastal-style Estuary View Superior Double, one in every of which is pictured above. ‘It has a super-comfy, super-king-size bed (our spoilt dog secures a fleecy cushion), and bench seat on which I flop to benefit from the vista,’ she says
The property was originally built as a non-public house in 1924. Pictured is a Superior Twin Room with an estuary view – one in every of the hotel’s 21 guest rooms
Vicki picks up on the hotel’s ‘friendly, relaxing vibes’. Above is a comfy Family Suite with an estuary view
After a wonderful Elemis massage and facial within the spa, then walk, I return to our charming coastal-style Estuary View Superior Double. One among 21 rooms and suites, it has a super-comfy, super-king-size bed (our spoilt dog secures a fleecy cushion), and bench seat on which I flop to benefit from the vista. The fresh white bathroom boasts Bramley toiletries. There’s a sensible TV, Nespresso machine, kettle, tea and biscuits aplenty.
Not that we nibble pre-dinner, as we’ve booked the nine-course tasting menu at St Enodoc’s pièce de résistance: Karrek. Celebrating Cornish produce and far of it from the family’s Devon farm, Karrek is the smarter, more intimate of two restaurants overseen by executive chef Guy Owen.
Suffice to say that is one of the crucial exquisite meals I’ve ever had.
Vicki enjoys a nine-course tasting menu at Karrek (pictured), the hotel’s restaurant that is overseen by executive chef Guy Owen. ‘That is one of the crucial exquisite meals I’ve ever had,’ she admits
Pictured is the hotel’s Brasserie restaurant where the doors open on to the terrace and barbecue lunches are served within the summertime
The Brasserie restaurant (pictured) has a ‘cracking menu’, says Vicki
Just when we expect we’ve tasted probably the most delicious dish – shiitake broth with seaweed, or oyster and mussel risotto – one other ambrosial plate arrives.
Dessert is a gorgeously delicate rhubarb and white chocolate ‘Viennetta’.
It’d sound ridiculous to say £100 per head for dinner is a bargain, but at this standard it truly is. A Michelin star can’t be far off.
The airy, casual Brasserie also has a cracking menu, including breakfasts featuring avocado, smoked salmon or a full Cornish. Its doors open on to the terrace, where barbecue lunches tempt on summer Saturdays. Rock on!
Rock’s long, sandy beach (pictured) and wonderful walking trails make it a magnet for holidaymakers, based on Vicki
TRAVEL FACTS
St Enodoc Hotel, Rock, Cornwall. B&B from £170 per night (enodoc-hotel.co.uk).
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