These coastal retreats, spanning cliff-top spas to harbour-view hideaways, are made for winter hibernation. Whether you’re after a wellness weekend, a romantic escape, or a bracing dose of sea air, here are seven of the best places to stay by the shore in Devon and Cornwall this season.
The Lugger, Portloe
Perched on the edge of a tiny fishing cove, The Lugger is the definition of coastal charm. With its whitewashed exterior, creaking wooden beams and sea views from nearly every window, it’s the kind of place where you can truly slow down. After a blustery walk along the Roseland Peninsula, warm up with local seafood in the candlelit restaurant or curl up by the fire with a glass of red as the waves crash outside. Book it.
The Harbour Hotel, Salcombe
Overlooking Salcombe’s shimmering estuary, this boutique bolthole blends maritime chic with laid-back luxury. In winter, the glass-fronted spa and pool are the perfect places to thaw out after a coastal walk, while the restaurant’s local seafood and West Country wines make staying in a pleasure. Don’t miss the private balconies for sunrise coffee over the harbour - or sunset G&Ts as the boats bob below. Book it.
Gara Rock, East Portlemouth
Tucked above one of Devon’s most beautiful stretches of coastline, Gara Rock feels worlds away from the everyday. Its design-led suites and sea-view apartments are matched by panoramic ocean vistas and a spa that’s made for storm-watching in style. Head down the cliff path to the beach for a brisk walk, then back up for cocktails by the fire or dinner in the glass-walled restaurant as the Atlantic roars beyond. Book it.
Cary Arms & Spa, Babbacombe
This ‘Inn on the Beach’ combines the best of a seaside pub with the comfort of a boutique hotel. Perched above Babbacombe Bay, the Cary Arms offers log fires, hearty Devon fare and sea-facing terraces even in winter. Stay in one of the luxurious beach huts or cottages, then indulge in the spa’s hydrotherapy pool and sauna – the perfect antidote to a bracing cliff-top stroll. Book it.
The Scarlet, Mawgan Porth
Eco-conscious and effortlessly luxurious, The Scarlet is Cornwall’s ultimate adults-only sanctuary. Its cliffside spa features a natural outdoor pool, cliff-top hot tubs and a sea-view sauna – perfect for watching winter waves roll in. With Ayurvedic treatments, yoga sessions and an award-winning restaurant championing seasonal produce, this is wellness, reimagined for the wild Cornish coast. Book it.
Lympstone Manor, Exmouth
Michael Caines’ elegant country house hotel overlooks the tranquil Exe Estuary, offering fine dining, vineyard views and contemporary coastal calm. In winter, the Michelin-starred menus feel even more indulgent — best enjoyed beside the fire after exploring the nearby South West Coast Path. Add in local wines from the on-site vineyard and you have a destination that’s as restorative as it is refined. Book it.
The Idle Rocks Hotel, St Mawes
Sitting proudly on the harbour wall in St Mawes, The Idle Rocks epitomises seaside sophistication. Think log fires, plush interiors and windows that frame the ever-changing sea. After exploring the village’s festive lights and coastal walks, return for Cornish gin cocktails and candlelit dining overlooking the waves. A coastal classic that’s as inviting in December as it is in July. Book it.
