[Disclosure: We were invited for a complimentary stay at the Talland Bay Hotel for the purposes of this blog]
At first glance, the Talland Bay Hotel could be just another lovely Cornish coastal hotel. Stunning views of the coastline and coast path, plush rooms, a great restaurant serving top quality food. But look a bit closer, and you’ll quickly realise all is not what it seems.
This isn’t ‘just another’ Cornwall hotel – it’s a unique, magical destination full of whimsy and wonder. A place that transports you far from reality and into a world that somehow combines colour and quirkiness with luxury hotel life. Where nothing is too much trouble and enjoyment is the name of the game.
Sounds a bit OTT doesn’t it. But I just can’t help myself. I first set eyes on the Talland Bay Hotel a good few years ago when we were walking the South West Coast Path from Looe to Polperro and could just about spy the edge of its manicured gardens. Later that night, as I looked up what that glorious place was, I regretted not stopping to inspect it closer and enjoying a drink in its gardens. In the years since, I’ve seen many a rave review, and vowed to go – but little did I think serendipity would mean we’d get invited to be guests of Talland Bay.
As hotels go, it ticks all my boxes. It’s dog-friendly, for starters, so we don’t have to leave the kids at home. But that doesn’t mean it isn’t the epitome of luxury, serving up food that’s won it the title of ‘best restaurant’ at various regional awards and two AA rosettes.
The rooms are spacious, many of which have views across the glorious gardens and beyond to the sea. From the moment we arrive, when deputy manager Kyra helps us find a spot to squeeze our rather large campervan in to, to when we leave having had to wake her up the night before because we were so relaxed we’d locked ourselves out of our room, we feel more like guests of friends than paying punters.
While the coastal charm is clear to see, there’s an Alice in Wonderland quirkiness to Talland Bay. The zebra print sofa and glass table from which a Jaguar’s head emerges in the bar area are the first clue. Then there are the Lewis Carroll quotes on the wall, the eclectic collection of artwork, the individual key hooks behind reception that ooze personality. No simple numbers here.
But whimsy doesn’t mean detail is lost. Dog blankets and dog towels are tucked discreetly by the front door so you can come and go with your four-legged friend without feeling like the worst guest in the world. Rooms have everything you can think of, from a doggy welcome pack to all the usual facilities, plus fresh milk, toiletries, robes and slippers and homemade shortbread.
Our first afternoon, after being wowed by our room, we make it as far as the gardens where we spend the next few hours nursing a bottle of fizz as we gradually move from the terrace area to a small table overlooking the terraced lawns to get more of the view, eventually ending up on two of the collection of sun loungers right at the front where the view is captivating enough to keep you there for the whole day. Who needs the Caribbean when the sun shines in Cornwall?
That night we leave the dogs in the room – something Talland allows providing you’re still on the premises – and enjoy dinner in the restaurant. We can take them with us and dine in the conservatory instead, but decide to save that for breakfasts and afternoon tea, allowing us to enjoy more of Talland’s epic decor and the full dining experience.
There’s an a la carte menu or a nine-course tasting menu experience. We opt for the former, starting with carefully-crafted cocktails in the bar area as we peruse the menu before being taken through to the dining room.
It’s a great meal. Classic British dishes with an unsurprising focus on locally-caught fish, though still offering plenty for the meat eaters. A delicate starter of John Dory stacked up with chicory, golden raisins, cauliflower and a Macadamia dressing for me, and a classic duck liver parfait for Jamie, served as picture-perfect quenelles with sweet grilled peach and tangy balsamic.
After a few weeks of fish, I’m keen for meat, so opt for perfectly-pink lamb rump with a generous side of buttery Parmentier potatoes. Jamie can’t resist the dedicated Looe lobster menu and goes all out with surf and turf, Talland style. Predictably there are no complaints.
We take dessert on the terrace so the dogs can join us. An intricate, indulgent peanut and caramel Millefeuille with dulce de leche and banana that I decide will pair nicely with Espresso Martinis – which are by far not the only exhibits in my list of evidence to prove that Talland really can do cocktails well.
We enjoy the deepest of sleeps in our luxurious four-poster bed in what used to be the honeymoon suite, but has now been replaced by a room that includes a hot tub. The morning brings a slow start gazing out at the sea views, followed by a foray through the broad breakfast selection, taken in the conservatory where the dogs even get their own bowls of sausage and more fuss than any animal can handle sensibly (I say this in a good way).
By the time we’ve tackled the extensive buffet, complete with build-you-own yoghurt pots with everything from granola and fresh fruit to berries and seeds, and worked our way through a toast rack, the hot choices of smoked salmon and scrambled eggs for me and a full Cornish breakfast for Jamie nearly finish us off.
We walk off our bulging bellies on the handily placed coast path, taking in the tiny church at Talland as well as heading down the hill to the bay and its cute cafes, before scrambling up the path either side to soak up more of those coastal views.
We don’t really need to eat anything else, but we do, because afternoon tea at Talland is another must do. If the hotel has Alice in Wonderland vibes, then this is on brand with a Mad Hatter’s Tea Party feel.
The treats on our foliage-decorated birdcage cake stand are up there with some of the great afternoon teas I’ve had, from the finger sandwiches and addition of sausage rolls to the savoury lineup, to soft scones and patisserie that has been created with a nod to Wimbledon in mind. We vow not to eat it all, and break that vow rather resoundingly.
The gluttony prompts another walk along the coast path – this time to the fishing village of Polperro that sits about 45 minutes one way, while Looe is a bit further in the opposite direction. So basically you won’t run out of places to see. We explore the village before heading back for sundowners on the terrace. Because it turns out Talland Bay Bloody Marys are as good as their Espresso Martinis and ordinary Martinis.
By the time the final morning comes we’re of the view that we shouldn’t have to leave, and if we do, Talland Bay Hotel should be an annual break for us. It’s not just all the luxurious stuff that has us hooked – though of course that’s lovely. It’s the far-away feeling you get from spending time here. There’s a whimsy and a magic that is exactly what a holiday should be about and I’m not quite sure how they do it, but they do.
Perhaps I’m over-romanticising it, as I do so many parts of my life, but this place feels unique, packed with personality and care, and so wholeheartedly focused on the guests it reminds us all of what hospitality actually means.
Some may disagree, but for me the Talland Bay Hotel didn’t put a foot wrong. It stands out from the crowd, refusing to be just another swanky hotel, instead putting its head above the parapet by doing things differently – yet refusing to sacrificing on doing them well. A winning combination in my book, and long may it last.
What’s Talland Bay Hotel like?
If you haven’t got an idea by now, I’ll sum it up in simple words. Magical, unique, luxurious, homely, delicious, colourful, quirky, quality. Think that about does it.
Rooms at The Talland Bay Hotel
While communal areas have their ‘out-there’ elements in terms of decor, rooms at Talland are calming and homely, teaming coastal charm with luxury and pretty much everything you need in a home from home. Robes and slippers to snuggle into, a fridge and safe with all the tea and coffee you could need, plus fresh milk and homemade shortbread.
Comfy beds, huge bathrooms – in our case with a bath plus a rainfall shower, along with White Company toiletries. Plenty of space, gorgeous views, and all the other bits in between.
Food at The Talland Bay Hotel
Food is a big deal at the Talland Bay Hotel, earning it the title of best restaurant at both the Taste of West and Cornish Tourism Awards. From the breakfast buffet of dreams and hot choices that are tasty without being ridiculously over-sized to the afternoon tea that I’ve waxed lyrical about above, there’s a precision and attention to detail that reminds you this is a good restaurant.
That reminder is hammered home when you stay for dinner, whether it’s the carefully put-together a la carte menu that champions local produce and classic flavours, or the nine-course tasting menu that’s now on my bucket list.
Food is a serious game here, and it shows, running through every element of every meal right to the pastry work in our dessert and the sweet treats in our afternoon tea.
What to do around the Talland Bay Hotel
If you can actually bring yourself to step outside the grounds, there’s plenty to do around the Talland Bay Hotel. Looe and Polperro are both a stone’s throw away, either by car or along the coast path, and both can easily keep you occupied for a full day.
Down the hill is the bay itself, complete with two cafes, or you can venture further afield and explore some of the area around this beautiful part of Cornwall – then come back ‘home’ to relax.
Dogs at the Talland Bay Hotel
A lot of hotels call themselves dog-friendly. It’s a way of tapping into what is a huge market of holidaymakers in the UK. But not all dog-friendly hotels are created equal – for some the description ‘dog tolerant’ would probably be more apt.
Not so at Talland. Here there is a genuine welcome for your dog – from the doggie hamper in your room with everything you need, to breakfast for your pooch, plenty of space in the gardens and beyond to walk them, the option to leave them in your room, and areas where they can dine with you.
And all for £15 per night per dog which is well worth it – while the welcome and friendliness from the dog-loving staff is simply priceless.
The final verdict
If you’ve read to the end of this blog, I’m not sure I need to say more. Talland is a special place. If you’re after identical rooms and anonymity it won’t be for you – but if you want personality, a place to make special memories, and a bit of luxury combined with whimsy, you’ll find it here.
