St. Ives Hotels and Accommodation

(St. Ives, Cornwall, England, UK)

The captivating town of St. Ives has long been an extremely popular Cornish holiday destination, with a wide range of accommodation options on offer. Many people arrive in St. Ives each year to soak up the sunshine and enjoy the sandy beaches.

During the official school holidays, from the end of July to the beginning of September, hotels tend to raise their prices and quickly become full. Similarly, self-catering flats, cottages and houses in St. Ives tend to be at their most pricey during the summer months, when they can only be booked for a minimum of a week, as opposed to weekends and short breaks which are readily available at other times of the year.

Where to Stay

Term times tend to be especially busy periods in St. Ives, and many people are looking for accommodation here at Easter, in the summer and also over Christmas. Outside of these times, accommodation here is somewhat cheaper and for those without children at school, these times offer the best value for money.

Many of the most popular hotels and guesthouses in St. Ives are within walking distance of Porthmeor Beach, the main surfing beach located on the northern side of the town, and also the smaller Porthgwidden Beach, to the east. The best of this accommodation offers good views of the harbour and the extremely attractive St. Ives Bay, such as the Toby Jug Guest House along Park Avenue.

Families visiting St. Ives often choose to stay on the southern side of the town, around Carbis Bay, the Port Kidney Sands and also Porthminster Beach. Especially popular is the Pedn-Olva Hotel, which stands next to Porthminster's sandy beachfront and features its own private swimming pool. Other popular hotels and guesthouses in St. Ives include the Gowerton at Sea View Place, which boasts views at the far end of the headland, and both the Grey Mullet and the Anchorage on Bunkers Hill, close to Wharf Road and overlooking Smeaton's Pier.

Those looking for the cheapest accommodation in St. Ives should consider inland B&Bs and small hotels, away from the beaches, and also the town's International Backpackers hostel, which is a converted chapel located at Lower Stannack. On the western side of St. Ives, the Ayr Holiday Park at Higher Ayr, is a popular camping site where both caravans and small cabins are available for hire.