Cultural tours, amazing beach walks, water sports and shopping are just some of the activities you can enjoy in Falmouth, Cornwall. What we love about this place is its sense of community, as Cornwall’s only university town with a cosy population of just 20,000 inhabitants. And this is not just a personal opinion, since Falmouth happened to win 2016’s Great British High Street award in the “Coastal Community” category. Looking for places to stay on your next visit? In this article, we will go through some of the best hotels in Falmouth.
But first, let’s take a look at some of the things you can’t miss on your next visit.
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About Falmouth
Culture in Falmouth
Before we talk about the best places to stay in Falmouth, let’s quickly review the two sides that bring charm to this beautiful town: culture and nature.
In case you don’t know, Falmouth has been the setting for several films and television programmes like Windbag the Sailor, Treasure Island, and War World Z. It was chosen as a location because of the quality of the scenery and the culture that lies behind all of its streets, stores and theatres.
We strongly suggest you include these plans if you decide to go on a cultural day out in Falmouth day:
- Take the Falmouth walking tour to explore the hidden gems of the town
- Visit the National Maritime Museum
- Visit the Falmouth Art Gallery
Nature spots and beaches in Falmouth
If you are not so much into exploring culture, but rather want to spend all your leisure time connected to nature, there’s plenty of that in Falmouth too. That town has great beaches, coastal views and water sports that anyone can enjoy. Make sure you don’t miss Falmouth’s best beaches:
- Gyllyngvase Beach
- Swanpool Beach
- Castle Beach
For a complete overview of acitivies, you can visit our blog post on 15 fabulous things to do in Falmouth, Cornwall.
Best places to stay in Falmouth
Let’s jump into our top picks of the best places to stay in Falmouth. First, we’ll go over hotels in Falmouth, guest houses, and last but not least, a bonus pick for budget travellers.
Best hotels in Falmouth
1. The Greenbank Hotel
Highlights: pet-friendly hotel. Amazing breakfast and dinner service. Only hotel in the South West with private pontoons.
The first of our choices for the best hotels in Falmouth is Greenbank Hotel. This is the perfect choice for sea views and water sports lovers. It is the oldest hotel in Falmouth (dating from 1620) and the only in the southwest with private pontoons. That means that you can get here by boat and arrive right to Greenbank Hotel’s doorstep. You can arrange a drop or pick-up at this point or even moor up your own boat!
This hotel is located 15 minutes away from the National Maritime Museum and has a restaurant that, as you will see, is one of its highlights. Food is local and fresh, and you’ll enjoy an exceptional harbour view with each of your meals.
The hotel is also pet-friendly, rooms are fully-equipped, and you will receive some welcome treats on your arrival. Port-view rooms are available.
View and book The Greenbank Hotel2. Rosemullion Hotel
Highlights: freshly cooked breakfast, vegan and gluten-free options. Outstanding staff.
If location is your priority, then Rosemullion Hotel must be among your top picks. This is a family-run hotel owned by Gail, who takes great pride in being the second generation running the place. You can tell the staff here have been selectively picked for their hospitality skills and have worked here for many years, since the service they provide is outstanding.
There’s plenty of parking available upon arrival, and you’ll be just a ten minutes walk from town, and five minutes to the beach and train station. Sea-view rooms are available, and we highly recommend them if you can get one.
Breakfast is one of our highlights since there are so many options, including fresh vegan and gluten-free menus. They even offer a take-out breakfast if you can’t have it in the hotel before checking out.
View and book Rosemullion Hotel3. The Royal Duchy Hotel
Highlights: free EV charging, Beachfront location.
Only ten minutes from Gyllyngvase Beach, The Royal Duchy Hotel is also on our list of best hotels in Falmouth. With a beachfront location, this place is perfect if you want a vacation surrounded by nature. You can easily get to Falmouth centre within walking distance as well.
Parking is easy. The hotel has high-standard rooms with 24-hour room service. Rooms with Cornwall coast scenic views are available. Not only is breakfast amazing, including many vegan-friendly options, but you also get to enjoy it sitting on a wonderful sea-view patio.
Electric vehicle charging is available at no extra cost.
View and book The Royal Duchy Hotel4. The Falmouth Hotel
Highlights: sea view, amazing building construction, common areas.
The Falmouth Hotel is an outstanding Victorian construction located right in the sea, also known as the “Grande Dame of Falmouth”. Views from this hotel are just amazing, and due to its classic construction, it has sizeable and comfortable bedrooms with large beds, and jacuzzi options are available too.
This is a pet-friendly hotel. Parking is available onsite, and it has a fitness centre in case you want to stay fit during your vacation. Pool and spa services are available for visitors, and there is also a very nicely decorated sitting area where you can interact with other guests.
View and book The Falmouth Hotel5. Merchants Manor Spa
Highlights: amazing breakfast with a view. 24-access to free barista coffee service.
Maybe one of the top highlights of Merchants Manor Spa is that it hosts Falmouth’s highest-awarded restaurant: Rastella. Of course, that makes it hard for other hotels to compete with this in terms of its exclusive and fresh-cooked breakfast (which you also get to enjoy in the sea-view dining room, a pretty hard combination to beat).
Sea-view rooms with hot tubs are available upon reservation. The hotel has a gym, pool and spa that all guests can access.
Something we also like about this place is the 24-hour access to barista coffee and incredible staff service.
View and book Merchants Manor Spa6. Anacapri
Highlights: comfortable beds. Beach chairs and towels to borrow for free.
Anacapri is a 5-star Falmouth B&B located just above Gyllyngvase beach. Not only is this featured in our list of best hotels in Falmouth, but it is also the winner of the Laterooms ‘Simply The Guest’ Award for the Best Beach Hotel in the UK in 2017.
The location is great, with walking distance to town and right on a beach access point. The hotel provides beach towels and chairs that guests can borrow and take all day to the beach for free.
Rooms have comfortable, king-size beds and are very well-equipped. Sea-view rooms are available. You can pre-order your breakfast the night before, which we appreciate since this is a policy they use to avoid food waste. Tea, coffee, bottled water and snacks are available in the reception area for guests to serve themselves all day long.
View and book Anacapri7. Penmere Manor Hotel
Highlights: swimming pool, big family rooms, staff.
This Georgian home is located at a one-mile distance from the main centre of Falmouth. Its decoration and style is classic, which many would consider old-fashioned, but we enjoy it since the history behind Penmere Manor Hotel is one of its main attractions.
Rooms are large, with very comfy beds, and you can pick either the garden or woodlands view. Family rooms are huge, so if you are on a family-vacation plan then this might be a good option for your stay.
There’s also a nice common area with an interior swimming pool, jacuzzi and sauna. Parking is available, and you will be impressed by the amazing staff and restaurant service.
View and book Penmere Manor Hotel8. St Michaels Resort
Highlights: hydrothermal experience in spa, Amazing breakfast and meals with sea view.
St Michaels Resort is a 4-star hotel, located just two minutes away from the South West Coastal Path. Cornish executive chef Darren hosts the amazing restaurant Brasserie on the Bay, which you’ll find within the resort. Breakfast is served here, with a varied menu that includes vegetarian and vegan options.
The hotel has two swimming pools, free parking and beachfront rooms. You must enjoy the hydrothermal experience in the award-winning spa, which received a gold recognition in 2021 in the “South West Tourism Award for Spa & Wellbeing Experience of the Year” category.
The fitness centre, jacuzzi and swimming pool facilities are available for all guests. Don’t miss the fruit juice stations around the hotel, specially prepared with fresh locally sourced fruits.
View and book St Michaels ResortBest places to stay in Falmouth: homely inns
9. Jacobs Ladder Inn
Highlights: pub-hotel. Live music and entertainment, pet friendly.
Jacobs Ladder Inn is a pub-hotel built in a typical Falmouth pub. You’ll want to consider this B&B if you get bored easily. Live music shows, entertainment events and live sports are shown on the pub’s projector screen. You can also play darts while enjoying a beer with the pub’s owners, who will make you feel at home as soon as you arrive.
The best part: according to most guests, music is not an issue at night. Owners know exactly how to manage this, and it makes both pub and hotel guests enjoy 100% of their stay.
Tea and coffee makers are available in all rooms, and cooked breakfast, lunch and dinner are served in the pub. The hotel is also pet friendly.
View and book Jacobs Ladder Inn10. Seaview Inn
Highlights: breakfast, atmosphere, treats for pets.
Seaview Inn is another family-run pub hotel, located just a few steps from Falmouth centre.
Other than the pros of staying in a cool-atmosphere pub-hotel , this place has an outstanding full-English breakfast, prepared with many fresh ingredients and homemade bakery options. Veggie options are also available.
There is a courtesy beer upon arrival for guests and biscuits for dogs, details that make you feel at home as soon as you arrive at Seaview Inn. The rooms are spotless and the views are gorgeous.
View and book Seaview InnBest guest houses in Falmouth
11. Chelsea House
Highlights: baked treats in the room fridge, superb beds and pillows.
The first in our selection of the best guest houses in Falmouth is Chelsea House. This is a family-run B&B hosted by Sharon and Nigel, located just five minutes away from Gyllyngvase beach. It has nine themed rooms, two of which are pet friendly.
Breakfast is served every morning, with many options from Cornish meats and hams to continental and full-English breakfast options. Sharon will even give guests take-away muffins for mid morning snacks, which we find to be a gentle detail.
A highlight of the rooms is beds and pillows (so comfy), but also a fridge stocked with essentials and Sharon’s baked treats, which make your stay very special. Like we always say, small things make the difference, and that is why we included this hotel in our selection of the best guest houses in Falmouth.
View and book Chelsea House12. Poltair Guest House
Highlights: complimentary treats and bottle of wine at the room, location.
Close to the railway station and walking distance from Gylly beach, Poltair Guest House is another great option for your next stay in Falmouth. This is also a family-run hotel, run by the Andrew family for over 65 years. There are currently three generations of the family working here, which we find to be a very special thing.
Owners can’t be more attentive to details such as extras in the room like milk, sweets and even a bottle of wine for you to start your “vacation mood” after a long trip. Definitely in our list of best guest houses in Falmouth.
There’s a stunning tropical garden just outside the property, and you can easily park your car for free in the surrounding area. Cooked breakfast is served, with take-out options available too if you have an early departure. Vegan and gluten-free options are also a plus.
View and book Poltair Guest House13. Oasis House
Highlights: easy check-in, great kitchen and dining area.
Next of our choices for the best guest houses in Falmouth is Oasis House. If you are looking for a place to spend the night, with easy, contactless check-in and check-out, Oasis house may be the best choice.
This house is owned and operated by Prosper Serviced Accommodation, and has a very nice set of common areas like a full kitchen, washing machine and dining spot that all guests can enjoy during their stay.
Rooms are small but fully equipped, with coffee and tea makers in all units. The property is spotless, recently refurbished, with everything you need for a leisure trip or Cornwall workation. Value for money is a highlight here.
And even though the check-in/out process is contactless, a very nice staff team is there to help you out if you need someone to assist you in your stay.
View and book Oasis House14. Tregenna Guest House
Highlights: great breakfast, value for money, charming decoration.
Five minutes away from the beach and town, Tregenna Guest House has the perfect location for those wanting to explore both the natural and cultural highlights of Falmouth. This guest house has seven recently refurbished rooms, very nicely decorated with panoramic views to the Harbour and Carrick roads. Beach vibes are all over this B&B.
The hotel provides free parking and a full-cooked Cornish breakfast for all guests, with homemade bakery options. Treats for guests are provided in all rooms. Great value for money.
View and book Tregenna Guest HouseBonus: best places to stay in Falmouth for budget travellers!
15. Falmouth Lodge Backpackers
Highlights: affordable price, great atmosphere, option to rent the full hostel for a 12-people group.
If you are looking for a place to stay in Falmouth on a budget, Falmouth Lodge Backpackers is the place to go. This is a friendly, charming, affordable house where you will find cheap rooms that can accommodate up to four people. You can also choose the “whole hostel exclusive” option, where you can have all the place for yourself (up to 14 beds) for a very affordable price.
The place has a sun terrace, fully-equipped kitchen and a very nice sitting room where you can interact with other guests. In addition, they offer activities to its guests like hiking, snorkelling and windsurfing. The location is great, near the beach and the city centre.
View and book Falmouth Lodge BackpackersMap of best hotels in Falmouth
The map below shows the locations of the hotels in Falmouth featured in this article:
Are you planning to travel elsewhere in Cornwall on your trip? Check our articles on the best things to do in Penzance, things to do in St Ives and things to do in Truro.
For accommodation options, see our guides to hotels in Penzance and places to stay in St Ives.
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