To spend your birthday in Cornwall whilst the sun is shining is truly a beautiful thing; however, spending your birthday weekend being pampered at the coolest hotel in Cornwall – The Scarlet hotel – is raising those ‘birthday goals’ to exceptional levels. A sanctuary immersed in nature and tranquillity, the Scarlet offers sustainability meets serenity with clifftop hot tubs, Ayurvedic spa treatments, exceptional dining opportunities, and unparalleled ocean views.
This adults-only boutique hotel has been on my radar for several years now, so imagine my excitement when I was invited to spend a weekend there last month. The Scarlet is set high upon a clifftop in the charming town of Mawgan Porth, blending effortlessly into its stunning natural surroundings. It’s an ideal escape for those who are hankering after some much-needed serenity.
Mawgan Porth is somewhat of a star-studded affair, the list of who’s who reads like a copy of Vogue magazine. Hollywood’s finest got ahead of the curve and their presence has earned Mawgan Porth the moniker ‘Hollywood-on-Sea’ thanks to the likes of Cate Blanchett, Chris Martin, Jason Statham, Imogen Stubbs, Jamie Dornan, and Stanley Tucci all purchasing homes in the area.
Whilst there were no celebrity spotting during my time at the Scarlet, myself and my partner were made to feel like Hollywood royalty.
From the moment we arrived, the level of care was exemplary. We were offered a drink and sat down in the stylish reception area that has Missoni-esque armchairs, a seventies style sofa and a striking sculpture – the style credentials were off the chart and definitely resonated with me. There was also a great collection of art on display, with the majority being designed by local artists.
Throughout the hotel, you can really get a sense of light and air. With floor-to-ceiling glass doors that take you out to the veranda overlooking the sea, you can immediately feel yourself shaking off the stresses of day-to-day life.
We were recommended to have lunch over the road at The Scarlet’s sister hotel ‘The Bedruthan’ where I indulged in the most fabulous gluten-free fish and chips. The restaurant overlooks Mawgan Porth and sits directly above The Scarlet, therefore affording an even more staggering panoramic view of the sea, sand, and cliffs.
Eager to walk off the carb-tastic lunch and a few glasses of prosecco, we made our way down the clifftop to the beach, which was as expansive and wild as you would imagine. Cornish beaches and in particular, Mawgan Porth beach are absolutely beautiful, and you can see why both Hollywood’s finest and discerning travellers have been heading down to this enviable place for years now.
Calories (well, a few of them!) eradicated, it was time to head back up the cliff to The Scarlet to explore the hotel’s facilities. Wellness and sustainability are prevalent throughout the hotel, and The Scarlet has garnered an impressive reputation for its green credentials. One example of that is the lack of slippers, plastics, and lack of kettle in the rooms – all of which go a long way to making those small adjustments that make a huge difference overall.
A restorative break was most definitely needed, and the Scarlet’s spa was a huge hook – one of the biggest factors that would make me book a return to this fabulous hotel.
There’s a real boho coastal-chic vibe in the spa – think driftwood, rattan, and a real feeling of bringing the outdoors in. I have never wanted to spend so much time at a hotel, despite the lure of nearby Cornish gems like Rock, Newquay, and the perennially charming Padstow nearby. The spa at The Scarlet is based on the philosophy of Ayurveda, from India, with the difference being a holistic approach to treatment.
The Scarlet at Mawgan Porth
From the natural outdoor pool, ideal for a cooling dip, to the expansive light-filled relaxation lounge which has an abundance of places to chill out in – there’s even a meditation room – all to help you amp up your Zen levels even more.
Serenity should really be synonymous with The Scarlet. Even relaxing in the sun by the outdoor natural pool was an absolute delight. For those who prefer less newts and a warmer temperature for their swim time, the indoor pool is truly sublime. At the time of visiting, it was reasonably quiet, but its expansive size guarantees that even if there are a few other people in the pool, it still doesn’t feel crowded.
Immersing yourself into nature at the Scarlet
There’s also a great steam room which was operated at a high temperature, but my personal favourite was the outdoor wooden sauna cabin which looked like a little shepherd’s hut. The Scarlet has a real aptitude for blending both outdoor and indoor spaces throughout the hotel. The sauna cabin is perched overlooking the beach and has its own porthole allowing you to feel like you are truly immersed into nature.
Exploring the Elements
As someone who follows the lunar cycles and is at one with the elements, I was intrigued to try the Scarlet’s ‘Elemental Spa Break’ – just one of the many offerings from the hotel. Each of the Elemental spa breaks is inspired by the four elements – Water, Fire, Earth, and Air.
We opted for the ‘Air’ package which is inspired by the gentle, coastal breezes of Cornwall and that, combined with the Ayurvedic principles of clarity and movement, seemed like the ideal choice to not only feel revitalised but to also invigorate mind and body.
A clifftop hot tub experience
One of the highlights of the Air package was the opportunity to enjoy the clifftop hot tub. We did relaxed in the hot tub Friday evening before dinner at the Scarlet restaurant – what a perfect way to start my birthday evening. Unlike jacuzzis that we have enjoyed before, the hot tub had no bubbles, it was literally just hot water in a deep circular wooden tub that (naturally) overlooks the sea.
Luckily, the bubbles came later in the shape of two glasses of prosecco, which was an absolutely gorgeous way to get the party started. The Scarlet has become renowned for its signature clifftop hot tubs, and it’s easy to see why. I didn’t want to get out as it was so relaxing and the view was utterly mesmerising.
Sustainability is at the heart of the Scarlet
Spurred on by the lure of dinner, we hot-footed it back to our room, which had a wonderful sea view. As previously mentioned, the Scarlet prides itself on fulfilling their eco-credentials, so there are no slippers, no plug sockets by the bed, and upcycled materials are used throughout. There was a walk-in shower in the same space as the loo, which I wasn’t crazy about, but the room was clean and functional.
There was a little outdoor area with quirky retro-inspired chairs that fall back when you stand up. The Scarlet’s proximity to the clifftop was staggering, and it was a really beautiful experience to take a cup of coffee in the morning and walk down to watch the sun rise. As previously mentioned, there is no tea- or coffee-making facilities in the room, but the professional and welcoming staff are on hand to hand-deliver hot beverages at any time.
Sundowners at dinner
The restaurant at dinner was pretty busy (possibly bolstered by locals and non-hotel guests), so at times the service was a tad slow. However, the staff were so utterly helpful that this was not an issue at all. I started with the terrine, which was impeccable, and followed this up with the lamb, perfectly cooked. The restaurant has floor-to-ceiling windows, and it was something else watching the sun go down over dinner!
We ate breakfast twice at the Scarlet, which was a two-course affair. We started with a healthy juice and a gluten-free muffin, followed by warm dishes from the varied menu.
The Elemental package – the Tula facial
Saturday was our main spa day at the Scarlet which formed a large part of the ‘Air’ Elemental experience. We were treated to a Tula facial which aimed to bring about natural balance both in an aesthetic and spiritual way. I love a good facial and can honestly say my skin had not looked that good for a long time.
As well as the usual facial techniques of cleanse, exfoliate and mask, my therapist utilised Ayurvedic massage techniques on my face and scalp in order to relax my muscles which is said to give an impression of a natural ‘facelift’. I have to say, I did feel a bit more chiselled and so did my partner who was beyond thrilled with his facial.
Ayurvedic massage
As well as my facial, my partner kindly gifted me with an absolutely sumptuous Ayurvedic Attuned massage which was simply unbelievable. Talk about being spirited away somewhere special. It was an otherworldly, relaxing and tension-relieving experience that really gave me the reset that I so desperately needed.
The ‘Elements’ packages give guests access to all of the Scarlet’s fantastic spa facilities as well as access to the Scarlet’s complimentary programme of daily yoga and wellbeing classes. Sadly, I was not able to take advantage of this, but will definitely do so upon my return to the Scarlet.
The most impressive feature at the Scarlet was how amazing the staff were – no request was too much, and they were all incredibly friendly and helpful. The Scarlet is an adults-only hotel which makes for a peaceful stay; however, their sister hotel, the Bedruthan, makes for a fabulous break for families. If you’re travelling with children, consider staying there and booking a spa day at the Scarlet instead.
An infinite sign of an amazing stay is that you simply don’t want to leave, and that is exactly how I felt at the Scarlet. I was genuinely sad to be leaving as it was just an incredible experience. Without a doubt, the Scarlet has been the best hotel that I have stayed at in the UK.
This luxury eco-hotel has it all! Whether you come for the relaxed vibes, the spa facilities, the wonderful food, or maybe even a mixture of all of the above, you are guaranteed to leave feeling completely fulfilled, relaxed, revitalised, and above all, raring to make a return to the Scarlet!
Photos: Joe Flanagan, Emma Harrison, and the Scarlet Hotel (hero image)
