Falmouth, Cornwall has a wealth of local activities to enjoy from cultural tours and shopping to amazing beach walks and water sports. In the midst of all this, there are some fantastic places to stay in Falmouth on your next visit.
What we really 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 you’ll find accommodation options tucked in among the local hotspots and perched along the beaches with stunning sea views.
In this guide, we compile some of the best hotels in Falmouth for every style and budget. But first, let’s take a look at some of the things you can’t miss on your next visit.
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Best hotels in Falmouth our personal picks
Ready to start booking straight away? Before we dive into details and depending on the kind of vibe you’re looking for…
Here’s a quick list of the best hotels in Falmouth:
⭐ Greenbank Hotel: best luxury hotel in Falmouth, with gorgeous seafront location
🏖️ Membly Hall Hotel: best hotel in Falmouth near Gyllyngvase Beach
🍺 Chain Locker: best inn in Falmouth, set in one of the town’s oldest buildings
🍳 Anacapri: best B&B in Falmouth, with superb views above Gyllyngvase Beach
Getting around:
If you’re thinking to hire a car to drive to Falmouth, or for getting around the area once you’re there, here’s our favourite car hire company
🚗 DiscoverCars: you’re sure to get the best deal with DiscoverCars!
Is Falmouth worth visiting?
If you’re looking for somewhere a bit different to stay in Cornwall than the popular tourist spots like Newquay or St Ives, then Falmouth is an excellent choice! We love its laidback and creative atmosphere.
Before we dive into the best places to stay in Falmouth, let’s quickly take a look at 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 activities, you can read our full 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. 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 prices for The Greenbank Hotel2. Budock Vean Hotel and Spa
Highlights: Upscale spa, golf course, lush gardens. Outstanding staff; restaurant with locally-sourced meals
This luxury country home resort located about 20 minutes outside of Falmouth in Mawnan Smith is perfect for a relaxed stay in a scenic coastal setting. Away from the hustle and bustle of town and set along the Helford River, the beautiful hotel has a friendly and helpful staff who will make sure your stay is comfortable. The building is set within 65 acres of sub-tropical gardens and includes a 9-hole golf course.
The doubles, twins, family rooms and suites at Budock Vean Hotel and Spa are spacious and well-equipped with light and fresh furnishings and top-quality bedding. Some rooms include sofas for lounging and in-room workdesks, and all have expansive views of the grounds.
The popular onsite restaurant offers 4-course dinners sourced from fresh, local ingredients. There’s an indoor pool open year-round and up-to-date spa facilities for soothing massages and spa treatments.
You’ll enjoy quiet moments in the building’s bar and lounge areas, and on the grounds where you can also play tennis or have a soak in the hot tub.
View prices for Budock Vean Hotel and Spa3. 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 prices for 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.
You have the option here to book rooms with a desk, which, combined with the general excellent facilities, makes this our top choice in Falmouth for a workation in Cornwall.
View prices for 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 prices for Merchants Manor Spa6. 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 prices for Penmere Manor Hotel7. 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 prices for St Michaels Resort8. Membly Hall Hotel
Highlights: spa and sauna, great breakfast served in the sea view restaurant
Membly Hall Hotel has a fabulous seafront setting just a couple of minutes’ walk from the edge of Gyllyngvase Beach. It’s a friendly, family-run hotel that has been open for more than half a century. In fact, three generations of the same family all work on the premises.
The outdoor spaces at Membly Hall Hotel are wonderful, especially the flowery gardens and terrace facing out onto the sea. And there’s also the option of absorbing the views from the sun lounge, where there is an in-house bar.
While the hotel has an intimate feel, it has very good spa facilities, including a hot tub and sauna for unwinding at the end of an active day.
View prices for Membly Hall Hotel9. The Lerryn
Highlights: peaceful location close to seafront, great breakfast included
We always love to find hotels in that sweet spot of a location that is quiet while being close to attractions. The Lerryn is exactly that, nestled in a secluded spot a couple of blocks back from the seafront, and a short walk into town. It’s also very close to Falmouth Town train station, so it’s ideal if you’re arriving by rail.
This is a cosy hotel run by a local couple, with a selection of lovely family rooms, some featuring balconies. Dogs are welcome too! The breakfast is included in room rates and is one of the most varied you will find in a small hotel like this, with smoked salmon and scrambled egg or feta and mushrooms on toast among the options.
We recommend booking a sea view room to make the most of the gorgeous location.
View prices for The LerrynBest guest houses in Falmouth
10. 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 a winner of the Laterooms ‘Simply The Guest’ Award for the Best Beach Hotel in the UK.
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.
There are some sea view rooms available, and all the rooms are very well-equipped and have oversize beds. 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 prices for Anacapri11. 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 one more great option for your next stay in Falmouth. This is another family-run accommodation, and enjoys a similar secluded location to The Lerryn.
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 available too, if you have an early departure. Vegan and gluten-free options are also a plus.
Six of the rooms have balconies and sea views, so book one of those if you can!
View prices for Poltair Guest House12. Cotswold House
Highlights: wonderful location; fantastic home-cooked breakfast, sea views
Next of our choices for the best guest houses in Falmouth is Cotswold House.This delightful guest house is conveniently located uphill from the train station, within walking distance of the town and beaches. The hosts at Cotswold House are super-friendly, and they truly cater to your needs so you have a wonderful time.
The home-cooked breakfast is fantastic, and you couldn’t ask for more comfortable, clean rooms! Plush bedding and lovely decor (including big, cosy chairs or sofas!) make the accommodations even more inviting. Some rooms also have balconies with sea views, and there’s a shared lounge and TV room for relaxing.
Altogether, this little place is a gem in Falmouth, and with free private parking on-site and easy walks into town, it’s a perfect place for a homely stay.
View prices for Cotswold House13. The Red House Guest House
Highlights: great English breakfast, value for money, charming decoration.
Five minutes away from the beach and town, The Red House Guest House has the perfect location for those wanting to explore both the natural and cultural highlights of Falmouth. The elegant Victorian house is located on a quiet street within 5 minutes walk of central sites, shops, and restaurants.
The welcoming hosts make sure that the cheery guesthouse rooms are clean and cosy, and take special care to offer a fantastic full English breakfast.
Guests can come and go with easy check-in, and the brilliant location is near the town, harbour, and the Princess Pavillion where there is often free entertainment in evenings.
View prices for The Red House Guest HouseMore places to stay in Falmouth: homely inns
14. 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 prices for Jacobs Ladder Inn15. Chain Locker
Highlights: harbour views, historic setting, great food and drink
We wrap up our selection of places to stay in Falmouth with one of its most characterful inns: Chain Locker. Set in one of the town’s oldest buildings, the charming pub dates back to the 16th century, but has been refreshed with a stylish, modern touch.
The inn overlooks the harbour, and with a large outdoor seating area, it’s a glorious spot for relaxing with a meal or a couple of pints of local ale in the sunshine. With just six rooms, the accommodation feels more like a boutique hotel than a pub, combining vintage decor with cosy furnishings.
Overall, Chain Locker has the essence of staying somewhere a little bit special while immersing yourself in a little slice in the town’s history.
View prices for Chain LockerMap of best hotels in Falmouth
Click the map below to browse the locations of the hotels in Falmouth featured in this article:
Are you planning to travel elsewhere in Cornwall on your trip? Check out these articles:
For accommodation options, see our guides to hotels in Penzance and places to stay in St Ives.
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