A Cornish Retreat at the Marazion Hotel 

I turned my collar to the fresh, coastal, Cornish breeze. The sun hadn’t quite got its hat on yet, but in all fairness, it was a bit early. 

The promenade was the perfect vantage point to watch the reveal, so I took a seat and waited. I didn’t notice anything to begin with. Just the rhythmic lapping of the waves on the shore. Seagulls fishing for their breakfast, and the odd local with their soggy dog – totally in their element, bounding into the water and digging in the sand (the dog).  

I couldn’t help but smile. Being by the beach induces a happiness like no other. The sort that’s wrapped in nostalgia from my seaside hometown on the east coast of England. The salty scent of seaweed filling my nostrils, and the sound of the raucous cawing of gulls. Feeling my toes dig into the soft sand and watching where the sea and sky meet on the horizon – it sends me into a hypnotic stare. 

The Magic of St Michael’s Mount 

After a while, the tide began to uncover the cobbled causeway – Cornwall's very own yellow brick road – leading straight to St Michael’s Mount. Watching it was an entrancing ritual, almost meditative, and worth the early rise!  

My boots clopped along the bricks towards the tidal island. Majestically perched off the shores of the quaint seaside town of Marazion, it reminded me of a tiered cake. The top layer is home to an ancient castle, which stands gracefully from its high position. Believed to have been built as far back as 495AD, its purpose changed over the centuries. From heeding off peril during the Wars of the Roses and the Spanish Armada, to a place of prayer and praise. Nowadays, it has a more peaceful aura.  

The middle tier is where you can find the 19th-century subtropical garden, where cacti and succulents sunbathe in the island’s microclimate. And on the bottom layer sits the island’s village with charming fisherman cottages - home to the island's 30-ish residents - and the mount's harbour where fishing boats dock.   

A Warm Welcome at the Marazion Hotel 

After several hours of exploring, the fresh coastal breeze began to tingle my fingers. I took it as a sign to head to the Marazion Hotel - my accommodation for the evening.  

The dazzling white exterior was like a beacon, beckoning me in, where Karen, the hotel manager, greeted me with a welcome as warm as the cup of tea she handed to me.  

I shrugged off my layers and snuggled into the plush armchair in the hotel’s living room. Taking a sip from my teacup, I soaked up my surroundings of calming blues, yellows, and brass maritime antiques. Coastal cosiness at its finest. 

My fingers began to thaw, and I blissfully dunked my biscuit into my tea – the only way to enjoy a cup of tea, in my opinion! 

Karen and I chatted for a bit. She told me all about the hotel’s history and how she came to settle in Marazion after decades of experience travelling around the world in the hospitality industry. I could tell by the way she spoke that she was incredibly fond of the hotel and the quaint coastal town – her adopted home.  

“It is the heart of the community. Because it’s owned by a local family, and it’s been in the family for a long time, it has a really strong local following.” - Karen, Hotel Manager 

Karen’s enthusiasm for the community and supporting small businesses was clear throughout the hotel. Items from local businesses were in every room, and most of the art fixed to the walls was by Cornish artists. There was no doubt the coast was their muse. From hand-drawn illustrations of windswept landscapes to pieces made from beachcombed finds from the shoreline, they were an homage to the coast, to the artists’ home. Even the toiletries, by land&water were from the north coast of Cornwall – a mere 37 miles away. These lathering and soothing lotions were like little mood boosters in a bottle. 

Comfort and Culinary Delights 

My room was airy and peaceful, making it very easy to relax and unwind. And the plush pillows and soft throw decorating the bed made it very difficult to move after I flopped on the King-size cloud. My feet thanked me for the lazy afternoon, but my tummy started to rumble.  

I tucked into my pan-fried hake in the hotel’s Cutty Sark restaurant. Its wooden panelling, old stone walls and wicker furnishings were an ode to its seaside location. The giant map of their 35-mile menu pinpointed all the suppliers they used in the area. It was a nice touch to be able to see exactly where the ingredients for my meal were coming from. 

The hake was paired with olive oil and Parmesan mashed potatoes, charred tender stem broccoli and giant spring onions, and capers, which added a salty zing. Hands down, my favourite meal of the trip. It was a culinary triumph, and one I've attempted to recreate many times since. 

“The chefs are all from the area and are very skilled at making Cornish dishes. They have great relationships with the suppliers. They get a text message every night, so they know what fresh fish is coming off the boats.” - Karen, Hotel Manager 

From its beach of toasted sand and glorious grounds of St Michael’s Mount, to the warm welcome and delicious food at the Marazion Hotel, the sleepy town of Marazion may be small, but it’s certainly a highlight in this part of Cornwall. 

Full of exceptional food and a comfy bed to rest in, there was no doubt I'd wake up shipshape for another day of walking along Cornwall’s coast.  

Want to Feel the Heart of Cornwall?

Words can only go so far - watch the video to experience the warmth, charm, and coastal cosiness of the Marazion Hotel.

Click below to watch the video and start dreaming of your next Cornish escape.