Perfecting the art of the family holiday, Watergate Bay hotel has become one of the destinations for those looking for an active, yet equally relaxing and hassle-free escape with children of all ages.
For a family beach break without leaving the UK, Watergate Bay has it all: superb accommodation; child-friendly restaurants; excellent childcare; and water-sports galore. On a magnificent stretch of Cornish sand and with a super-cool surfy vibe, Citizen Enfants visited to discover why so many families rebook year after year (often before they have even checked-out).Â
Set between dramatic cliffs, and overlooking the golden sands and rolling waves of the Atlantic, Watergate Bay hotel – named after the stunning beach it sits on – offers the very best of a chic British waterfront escape. Life here centres around the beach, which, stretching to over two miles at low tide, is one of the most scenic in the country.Â
The Vibe
A family-run hotel, everything at Watergate Bay is easy to navigate and joyously well organised – which is one of the many reasons parents love it. If anyone wants to go surfing no problem; you can hire a board, wetsuits and have lessons all just steps from the hotel’s front door. Fancy a more tranquil swim? Take a dip in the 25-metre indoor infinity pool with a child-friendly area and panoramic views of the waves below. If adults want a quiet stroll or time in the spa, check little ones into the fantastic kids’ club (with inspiring beach school sessions). This place takes the hassle out of trying to plan the perfect stay – it’s all right here and very accessible.
Bought by the Ashworth family back in 1967, the property was converted into a hotel in 1971. But it was in 2004, when their son Will and his wife Pix took the reins, that the place started to take the shape of the modern resort it is today. By expanding the restaurants and adding more self-catering options, this next-generation of ownership has taken the hotel from firm family-favourite to one of the UK’s most sought-after holiday destinations.Â
Referring to itself as a ‘ski resort on the beach’, the hotel’s raison d’être is to recreate that same ‘active leisure’ vibe. A constant buzz of activity and fun is palpable as everyone goes about the business of happy-holidaying – it’s every inch the summer version of the ski-resort atmosphere the owners look to emulate. Guests rebook before they leave, and new bookings for peak weeks are snapped up in minutes.
Once you’ve stayed here, you’ll understand why.Â
The Rooms
Watergate Bay caters for everyone – from honeymooning couples to solo travellers and groups of friends – but in many ways it’s families who will really be wowed by a stay here. Not least because of the practical and straight-forward accommodation options.
Split into a few different buildings – all connected by outdoor paths – self-catering apartments, two- or three-bedroom suites, interconnecting rooms, and dog-friendly rooms are fitted with king-sized beds, bunk beds, and roll-aways configured as-you-like as well as cots, stair-gates, highchairs and all the bits and bobs those with little ones need. You’d be hard pushed not to find a set up that works for your gang, regardless of ages or size. Some rooms have spectacular sea views, balconies, and easy access to the beach paths but, regardless of where you stay, you are never more than a hop, skip and jump from the sand and all the action.
Décor gives a constant nod to the laidback surfy vibe that the setting naturally inspires (and one the hotel has very stylishly tapped into). You won’t have to look too hard to find a vintage surfboard mounted on the wall (the hotel has a super-cool collection of them), a grainy sepia photo of someone riding the perfect wave, or a plethora of prints showing beachy scenes and sunsets over glistening water. Shades of white, blue and neutral sandy tones make up the background in the soft furnishings and painted wooden furniture. Think bleached clapboards, comfy leather armchairs, woven rugs and chunky throws. Mini palm trees, petrified wood side tables, and rattan lampshades accents add another layer of interest and warmth. It’s a masterclass in surfer-chic, putting a cosy Cornish slant on the Malibu/Bondi aesthetic.Â
The Food + Drink
As you wander down to breakfast in The Living Space, the first thing you’ll notice is the delicious aroma of freshly baked waffles. On arrival in the vast dining area you’ll see why. Beside the heaving buffet of pastries, cereals, yogurts and fruits are some nifty little waffle makers, complete with a very tasty pre-prepared mixture in jars. Simply pour it in, close the machine, set the handy timer for three minutes and voila – the perfect waffles. Kids will love this breakfast wizardry that comes complete with a sauce station too – Nutella and maple syrup anyone? Add a great selection of cooked items (from full English to veggie options) plus freshly brewed coffee, and you’ve got a pretty good start to your day. The best bit? Tucking into it all while checking out an awesome view of the beach.
Split into two large dining/lounge areas, one section of this space welcomes pooches too. And expect plenty of chatter and laughter from families seated around you (no one cares if your three year old drops a spoon, or if your dog wants to say hello). The same applies for lunch and dinner here, with an all-day menu to suit all tastebuds. It’s also a great place for an afternoon cuppa and a Cornish scone and jam.Â
Just out the sea, pulled off your wetsuit and fancy the kind of hearty burger that you need after a surfing session? Head straight to The Beach Hut to refuel in style. With an all-day-dining menu that caters for fussy toddlers through to ravenous teens, this is a great place for a long lunch or a supper playing cards with your crew (dogs included).Â
Last, but definitely not least, expect fine dining at Zacry’s. Exquisitely presented dishes here include scallops with pork belly, tuna carpaccio and Côte de Boeuf. Locality, seasonality, and provenance drive the menu, and the attention to detail is on par with some of London’s best restaurants – though perhaps with an even better view: soak in sunset-meets-sea views through floor-to-ceiling glass windows as you dine. Parents may well like to book a babysitter or make use of the kids’ club for a special night here sans enfants, but that’s not a requirement; there’s a children’s menu and, while it might be a tad grown up for very tiny guests, older kids and teens will be very comfortable here. In fact, you might even be served by one of Ashworth’s delightful teenage daughters who regularly works around the resort as a waitress – a fact that’s indicative of everything about this place (even the very swish restaurant) which exudes the warm, family-focused atmosphere that the owners have cultivated with such genuine enthusiasm and dedication.
The Child’s Play
No child is ever getting bored here: full stop. First up you have a cracking beach to play on (pick up buckets and spades at the on-site shop), where little ones can potter around for hours. Then there is the sea and the endless fun it offers. Expect waves and cold water, but don’t let it put you off. Even tinies can dip their toes in the shallows while older kids have a world of fun at their finger tips. Hire a surf, body or SUP board (also probably a wetsuit unless there’s a heatwave) and take advantage of the outstanding watersports centre right on your doorstep. Wavehunters is a superb surf school accredited as a Centre of Excellence by Surfing England. They offer individual and group lessons for complete beginners aged from seven upwards, while private sessions can be booked for younger children (parents or guardians have to be present during the lesson). There’s a lifeguard stationed on the beach keeping a watchful eye on all swimmers and surfers.
Back at the hotel, the Ofsted regulated Kids’ Zone is the playroom of dreams. Whether little ones want to paint pictures, read stories, build LEGO creations, bake cakes or do science experiments, this is a little haven where their imagination can run wild under the careful supervision of an expert team. Alongside the large indoor space there’s also a fun outdoor area with a climbing frame, toys and plenty of room to run around. There are toddler (for those aged six months to two years) and kids’ (three to eight) sessions too, with sleep routines and dietary requirements catered for. Older kids will love XO Club, with movies, craft sessions and sports tournaments. Teens also get their own cool hangout room with a pool table, computer games and table tennis.
During the summer months the hotel partners with Land Rover to create the Land Rover Discovery Beach School, teaching kids as young as six all about the local environment and marine life. The forest school-inspired beach pop-up sessions for children aim to build confidence and social skills through exciting activities such as firepit cookery and bushcraft, practical conservation and survival skills.
The Spa and Fitness Centre
When you’re not rock pooling on the beach or learning how to surf, Swim Club is a great place to hang out – with or without kids. So much more than just a spa, this wellness centre is a wonderful alternative to the outdoor options. The 25-metre infinity pool with floor-to-ceiling ocean views is a treat on both sunny days – when huge glass doors bring the outside in – and in less clement weather. The pool is open from 7am to 9pm with dedicated adult and family swim times. The Club also has a cardio and fitness room (for over 16s only) complete with Concept2 rowing machines, Skier Matrix hybrid cross trainers, running machines, fitness bikes, free weights and yoga mats.
At the spa, choose from massages, scrubs, facials, reflexology, pedicures and manicures. All use the hotel’s own signature range of products, Land&Water, that were created by Pix Ashworth in collaboration with apothecarist and perfumer Richard Howard. Made from natural botanical ingredients and vegan-friendly, you’ll also find them in your hotel bathroom. There are mum-to-be treatments too, as well as double-treatment rooms, if you fancy having a massage side-by-side.Â
Outside, book into Yoga and HIIT classes on the beach and pop into the outdoor timber Finnish sauna and hot tub – only available to those aged over 16.Â
The To Do List
You could easily while away a week at Watergate Bay, but it’s well worth venturing out to explore more of the local area. Just a short drive will bring you to the likes of Constantine Bay, Fistral and Porth beaches, all of which regularly feature on lists of the UK’s best family-friendly beaches. Surfing is the watersport of choice around these parts and you’ll be spoilt for choice – so many of the local beaches offer great waves and conditions as well as all-important RNLI life guards stationed on the sand. Whether an expert or a complete beginner, there is something for everyone. Watergate Bay (beach, not hotel) is a bucket-list spot for surfers. The English National Surf Championships are regularly held here and the beach’s gentle slope and consistent waves create the perfect conditions for surfing, bodyboarding and swimming.Â
If you fancy nine holes then head to the beautiful Trevose Golf Club, where there are also tennis courts and coaches available in both sports. The Southwest Coastal Path crosses the hotel – ask at reception for a map of nearby walks. For a scenic route just moments from the hotel’s entrance, head over the hill to the town of Newquay – it’s a relatively easy 3.5-mile stroll, and at low tide you can walk for stretches along the beach.Â
Picture-perfect Padstow, a quintessential Cornish fishing village, is 30 minutes away by car and packed with charming little shops and great restaurants – including some super pastie shops of course. Or for an adventure that the kids will love, check out the Camel Creek Family Adventure Park with over 40 rides and attractions to keep all ages entertained.
But if part of the joy of being on holiday is not having to plan too far ahead then don’t worry – pop down to reception for all the inspiration you’ll need. A huge blackboard tells you what’s on at the hotel and there’s a year-round programme of varied events plus daily activities, weather updates and general goings-on all chalked up each morning.
All images: Watergate Bay hotel
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