Bedruthan Steps: Sustainable tourism, young families and a cracking good breakfast!

The Bedruthan Steps kindly asked the Modern Family to spend the weekend in Cornwall at their family eco hotel. Perched on the cliffs between Padtsow and Newquay, the four-star hotel is a beautifully renovated 60s-style building and a tribute to sustainable tourism. It has long been known for being innovative, including being one of the first to use grass roofs to improve views (and insulate rooms). The green theme is evident everywhere, including the locally produced handmade organic soap and shampoo bars and fairtrade coffee/tea/hot chocolate in the guest rooms. You are reminded to only ask for clean towels/linens when you need them and the electrics are based on the key system – to ensure lights are left off when you vacate the room.

*This is a pic of Mawgan Porth Beach, which is right below the hotel

A fantastic location

The hotel is on the cliffs above Mawgan Porth Beach. There are steps that lead down to the beach. You need to be careful and check the tide schedule before you go, so you don’t get stuck on the beach. There are magnificent sea views from pretty much everywhere around the hotel.

The rooms

Comfortable, and newly decorated in bright cheery contemporary colours, and very clean. We had a family suite with a large room with a king sized bed for mum and dad, and the girls had a separate room with two sets of bunk beds.  There was loads of storage space to hide away all our stuff. There isn’t good mobile reception (the hotel suggests standing at the top of the car park if it’s not raining and there are cables you can borrow if you are really desperate). But why be online in a place like this? Our room had a floor-to-ceiling glass door/window that opened to a deck that overlooked Mawgan Porth Beach. I plopped myself down on the deck chairs and read a book, while the girls played. Here’s the view from our room!

Food and eating options

There are lots of dining options and the hotel goes out of its way to cater for families. We had dinner during the family seating (7-7.30) which suited us perfectly. The girls escaped between courses through the sliding glass doors for a quick turn on the zip wire and bounce on the (sunken) trampoline. Me and hubby had a relaxing three course meal with wine gazing into the sunset (don’t gag). During school holidays the hotel offers a Supper Club for kids.

There’s a children’s high tea, which is described as “very lively and not for the faint hearted”.  When I read this I simultaneously was thankful my girls were past this stage and wished some of the hotels we stayed at when they were younger had offered this option.

Cracking Cornish Breakfast

Think local and think good.  Breakfast was a highlight of the trip. Many of the items for the buffet-style breakfast are sourced locally, from the apple juice from the Cornish Orchards of Liskeard, to the fresh-based malted crunch or while bloomers from a baker in Padstow to the Bedruthan’s own recipe sausage made by a local butcher. Yum.

The Pools

Those who know me, know that I’m a bit twitchy when it comes to public swimming pools. I don’t like moist muddy changing rooms or things like hair bobbles floating in cold water. The Bedruthan Steps has three outdoor pools, a jaquizi and an indoor pool and I’m happy to report they pass the modern mother test!

Kids Clubs

We didn’t utilise these but it’s great to know they are an option. I meant to take them by the Craft Room (open 1-4) but we were too busy exploring other things!

When it Rains

We were lucky with the weather, with sunny skies all weekend. But it wouldn’t matter if the skies had opened, there are loads of things for the kids to do, including a craft table (open 1-4), indoor swimming pool, the Jungle Tumble indoor play area, a soft play area board games and ride on toys.

Out and About

We walked down the steps to Mawgan Porth Beach. It was low tide, and we walked all the way out to the rocks and explored the tide pools. Very cool!

We visited the National Trust’s popular Carnewas and Bedruthan Steps property, which has cliff top views of rock formation stretching into the sea. We walked the 142 steps onto Bethuthan beach then had a cream tea in the café and the girls bought some postcards in the shop.

Padstow (aka Rick Steinville) is a short drive from Carnewas. It’s a picturesque port town, with lots of shops, and of course, seafood restaurants.

Net

We loved the Bedruthan Steps Hotel, it’s my new favourite hotel. Cornwall is just far enough away and different that it really feels like you are on holiday.The hotel caters to children and parents, and let’s face it, if mum is happy, everyone is happy!

Note: Our accommodation was provided by Bedruthan Steps for the purposes of this review. All opinions are mine and my family’s.

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