Situated in an elevated position overlooking Porthminster Beach, this welcoming hotel commands stunning views across the bay. St Ives is renowned for its fantastic beaches, picturesque harbour and bustling streets full of interesting boutique shops. St Ives Hotel is in a perfect location only a short walk to most holiday attractions. With open plan lounges to enjoy the views whilst listening to the evening’s entertainment, a break here is truly relaxing. A courtyard is open spring and summer for alfresco seating and you’ll be able to sample the wonderful light that has made St Ives such a mecca for painters and artists. For the more adventurous, St Ives makes a wonderful base for visiting many of Cornwall’s finest sights and attractions.
Star ratings are intended to indicate the general level of features, amenities, and services to expect. This property is classified according to Giata.
HOTEL STYLE
Quiet
Ocean View
Languages Spoken
English, Spanish, Slovak
Location
The Terrace, St Ives TR26 2BP England
The St Ives Bay Hotel
1,109 reviews
Getting there
Good for walkers
Places to stay are graded on a 0-100 scale. The higher the grade, the easier it is for travellers to find restaurants and things to do within walking distance.
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The St Ives Bay Hotel boasts an enviable location praised by many guests for its proximity to the beach and local amenities, with stunning views that are a highlight for numerous reviewers. However, many travelers have voiced concerns over the hotel's value, citing issues with room cleanliness, maintenance, and occasionally indifferent service.
While the atmosphere strikes a balance between modern and dated, according to some guests, there is a clear need for updates in certain areas. Despite the mixed reviews on cleanliness and room conditions, the hotel's position remains a strong draw for visitors.
Location
Convenient
Atmosphere
Outdated
Rooms
Neglected
Value
Pricey
Cleanliness
Mixed
Service
Inconsistent
Amenities
Satisfactory
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I'll start with a positive, the room we had had a stunning sea view, on arrival our cases were taken to our rooms which was nice, the immediate area could of been more cheery deco wise, Fred was always pleasant and accomodating, the waitering staff were always very nice, the area looked nice and clean and relaxing, on closer in inspection the carpets looked tired with red stains (large spots) scattered which didn't look good, I thought they had had a murder mystery event if they had it didn't look good. Lots of stairs, steps to negotiate totally unsuitable for people with mobility issues, the lift is really small no way could 4 people fit in. Our room could of been cleaner, the ceiling in the bathroom was in need of repair, The whole hotel needs a major facelift this is not the staffs fault, some management need to learn customer service etiquette and cut the sarcasm, On our departure our driver asked quite politely if there was a downstairs toilet he could use to which he was told yes it's over there it's been there 25yrs . Unfortunately I didn't take photos. I did enjoy the entertainment The bed in my cousins room she reported it but nothing was done about it, on entrance to the restaurant the hand rail needed good scrub and lick of paint.
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Date of stay: July 2024
Value
Rooms
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
Trip type: Travelled with friends
Room Tip:Â Beautiful views but definitely not suitable for people with any kind of disability no ramped...
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Craig Lawrence, General Manager at The St Ives Bay Hotel
Responded 29 Jul 2024
Thank you for taking your time in leaving us your feedback here at St Ives Bay hotel.. I am sorry that on this occasion we did not meet your expectations, and that your room was not up to our normal high standards, If you had spoken to our Duty Manager during your stay, we may of been able to rectify any issues for you. Thank you for your kind sentiments of Fred and the food and beverage staff. The comment with regards to the lavatory was a long standing comical banter between a member of staff and the driver, but thank you for bringing this to our attention. We will use your feedback to enhance our guest experience as our team are dedicated in creating lasting memories for our guests. Kind Regards, Craig Lawrence General Manager
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I’d read the negative reviews before I chose to stay here but I booked it because the price was really good for a sea view room in peak season! I booked through Hotels.com. I stayed with my teenage daughter for a quick getaway before the school term restarted.
Our twin room was ok. Good sized wardrobe big dresser with lots of drawers, good information pack left in the room. Kettle & tea tray in the room, you can ask for extra tea/coffee etc at reception. The bedsheets were clean and the beds were comfortable. The view was spectacular of Porthminster Beach. You need to get a sea view room if you choose to stay here for sure.
The room was manageable for the 4 nights we stayed but there were things that were really poor and had I of paid more money than I did, I would have been furious. I really don’t want to list all the things that were unacceptable in the room or the hotel as it was just a base to sleep and I’m sure the hotel is fully aware of the issues it’s facing. I do hope they rectify them as the hotel could be a real gem. It’s a shame.
Location was great, just short walk into town, parking is a pain but St Ives is pretty congested in peak season but on few occasions I managed park round the back in the private parking area which is fine by the way. I know some folk have moaned about it. Just appreciate you can park your car for free! The parking opposite the hotel which is for the beach/train station was always full. Probably not in low season but there are other car parks in the town. Short walk to Carbis Bay along the path just up from the beach.
Staff that we encountered were helpful and friendly, shame to hear some other guests didn’t have the same experience but they were nice & friendly to us. Didn’t eat breakfast or dinner at hotel so can’t comment on that.
Overall, we have had a lovely time in St Ives but probably wouldn’t return this hotel I’m sorry to say.
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Date of stay: August 2024Trip type: Travelled with family
Room Tip:Â Definitely book sea view room
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Craig Lawrence, General Manager at The St Ives Bay Hotel
Responded 17 Sept 2024
Good Morning, Thank you for your wonderful feedback, we are pleased that you enjoyed your stay with us here in St Ives. We hope to see you again soon. Kind Regards, Craig Lawrence General Manager
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This was arranged as part of a Shearings Holiday. For a single room I paid £129 single supplement and the room was extremely small, there was no room for a bedside table for water, specs, book, phone and had to edge around the bed and furniture. It was badly in need of redecoration and refurbishment, like all of the hotel that I could access. The single bed was clean and comfortable. Room service was patchy, I don't think the bathroom was cleaned during my stay, mainly it was bin emptying, duvet pulled up and sometimes the mug was changed for a clean one, otherwise I washed it in the bathroom. Although I had the benefit of a small balcony for which I was initially grateful, I soon realised that the heavy traffic below from early morning until late at night made it very difficult to relax or sleep. During the day there is also constant noise from the beach, shrieking, motor boats, jet skis etc. Whether this is always the case or just during peak holiday season I don't know. My room no was 16 sea facing. Also one night when a late coach party arrived at 11.30, being over reception and entrance, it was impossible to sleep until the early hours. The stairs and public areas are mainly "tired" and the elderly carpets in need of replacement or cleaning. I felt that the handrails and door plates were not kept clean which bothered me during the current pandemic. The food was mainly adequate or better and the staff particularly in the dining room were unfailingly courteous, helpful and friendly. It is well placed for views of St Ives, access to the beach (but this is quite steep if you have any mobility issues) and the bus station from where you can catch a bus to many landmarks and attractions. I wouldn't personally come again but it was probably not ideal to visit during a heatwave in August.
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Date of stay: August 2022
Value
Service
Sleep Quality
Room Tip:Â Despite the attraction of a front facing room you have to be prepared for continuous traffic...
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Craig Lawrence, General Manager at The St Ives Bay Hotel
Responded 6 Sept 2022
Dear Guest. Thank you for taking your time in leaving us a review here at St Ives Bay Hotel. I am sorry that on this occasion we did not meet your expectations, and that your room was not up to our normal high standards If you had spoken to our Duty Manager during your stay, we may of been able to rectify any issues for you. We will use your feedback to enhance our guest experience as our team are dedicated in creating lasting memories for our guests. Kind regards, Craig Lawrence | General Manager
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This is such a beautiful hotel in a great location too a short walk from the beach the hotel is spotless and very pretty inside the dining areas always nice colourful flowers in vases and the view from dining area is looking on the beach. Rooms cleaned regularly entertainment not too bad finishes early some nights. Food is lovely staff a bit timid don’t talk too much but I would go back .
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Date of stay: June 2023
Value
Location
Service
Trip type: Travelled solo
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Craig Lawrence, General Manager at The St Ives Bay Hotel
Responded 30 Aug 2023
Hi Bev, Thank you for your lovely review, we are pleased that you have enjoyed your stay with us and that you found our hotel to be clean. It just proves that you can't believe everything you read in online reviews. We look forward to welcoming you to our hotel in the future. Kind Regards, Craig Lawrence General Manager
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Location is bang on, 10 minute walk from the centre of St Ives, so close yet enough out the way from the hustle and bustle. Views from the room are stunning of the beach.
Unfortunately that’s about it when it comes to positives. No lift in the hotel, so had to lug our luggage up two flights of stairs. Rooms were fairly clean however the shower was very poor, water was just dribbling out the shower head, no real pressure. Bed wasn’t the comfiest and pillows were pretty solid. The Hotel in General could do with a refresh, they must make enough money with where they are in terms of location!
Lastly, do not think about using the ‘on site parking’ it is a small shed round the back of the hotel. If you have a big or expensive car, I wouldn’t risk it as it’s such tight parking and covered in bird poo. Twice I stopped someone from backing into someone else’s car. There is enough space for maybe 10 cars, so if it’s full, it’s tough. I really wouldn’t bother banking on parking and budget for an overnight car park if required. The one at the Leisure centre is £10 for 24 hours and around 7/8 min walk from the Town and the Hotel.
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Date of stay: August 2024Trip type: Travelled as a couple
Room Tip:Â Try book somewhere else first, you get what you pay for. Park Elsewhere. Get a room with Sea View...
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Craig Lawrence, General Manager at The St Ives Bay Hotel
Responded 12 Aug 2024
Thank you for taking your time in leaving us your feedback here at St Ives Bay hotel. I am sorry that on this occasion we did not meet your expectations, and that your room was not up to our normal high standards, If you had spoken to our Duty Manager during your stay, we may of been able to rectify any issues for you. Our parking facility is offered on a first come, first served basis and owners park in there at their own discretion, as per the signs in and around the garage. We will use your feedback to enhance our guest experience as our team are dedicated in creating lasting memories for our guests. Kind Regards, Craig Lawrence General Manager
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St Ives Bay Hotel offers a great location with stunning views of the Cornwall coast, making it a fantastic base for exploring St Ives. The hotel is close to the beach and town center, and some rooms have beautiful sea views.
While the decor is a bit dated and the amenities are basic, the rooms are clean and comfortable. The staff is friendly and helpful, and the breakfast is decent, though dinner options are limited. Parking can be a challenge, and the lack of air conditioning might be an issue during warmer months.
Overall, St Ives Bay Hotel is a good budget-friendly choice for travelers focused on location over luxury.
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Date of stay: July 2024
Value
Rooms
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
Trip type: Travelled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Craig Lawrence, General Manager at The St Ives Bay Hotel
Responded 3 Sept 2024
Thank you for your feedback, we are pleased that you have overall enjoyed your stay with us here at Bespoke Hotels in Cornwall. We look forward to welcoming you back to our hotel again in the future. Kind Regards, Craig Lawrence General Manager
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Unfortunately our experience was terrible. The room was smelly, dirty carpet full of dark stains bordering on decency, peeling and dirty walls. The window didn't open except a small crack and to change the air there was a small fan in the room. whose protective grill was full of animal hair (which I love but in that hotel the hygiene standards are not respected) The bathroom then what can I say I will put some photos there are no words we escaped we lasted only one night impossible to sleep in those conditions . The breakfast really sucks...avoid it!!!
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Date of stay: August 2023Trip type: Travelled with friends
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Location good as walking distance to bus and train station, stunning beach and town. No working lift for duration of our stay. Our third floor room meant we heaved our cases up 50 odd steps with no assistance or apology. The hotel is generally shabby with many previously removed fixtures leaving holes and marks on doors and walls. Paintwork old and sticky. Carpets worn and grubby looking in public areas but our room, bathroom and bedding were clean. Breakfast was bland and we only realised on last day we could possibly have requested eggs cooked other than scrambled when we saw another table of guests eating fried eggs. Staff attitudes generally made us feel we were a nuisance when we went through to bar to retrieve our room key as requested by a notice on the unmanned reception desk. It seemed this hotel is mainly used by coach tours, so, as private guests, we felt the breakfast waiting staff just wanted to clear up as soon as the coach guests had left for the day. Maybe they were not valued enough themselves to value guests?
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Date of stay: July 2023
Value
Location
Service
Trip type: Travelled as a couple
Room Tip:Â This hotel has a lot of steps at entrance and elsewhere throughout public areas. Check lift is...
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Craig Lawrence, General Manager at The St Ives Bay Hotel
Responded 24 Jul 2023
Dear Guest. Thank you for taking your time in leaving us a review here at St Ives Bay Hotel. I am sorry that on this occasion we did not meet your expectations, and that your room was not up to our normal high standards. If you had spoken to our Duty Manager during your stay, we may of been able to rectify any issues for you. We will use your feedback to enhance our guest experience as our team are dedicated in creating lasting memories for our guests. Kind regards, Craig Lawrence | General Manager
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This place is a bit like Fawlty Towers, but with some of the staff being very pleasant.
In our "superior" room the carpet was stained, walls had shoe marks all over them and badly needed decorating, the cleaner had missed details such as a dead spider on the bow window, both the curtains in the beautiful window, with a lovely sea view, sadly were unfixed in places so that daylight could leach in over the top.
I asked about getting them fixed, as we were going out, and this only involved getting a ladder and re-fixing the hooks to the curtain pole. The female staff member on the desk told me "I'll try, but we have nobody who can go up ladders on a Saturday!!"
Cyclists arriving with heavy bikes beware - no street level storage and you have to hoik your bike up ten or so steps, through the main lobby and into a store room that looks like it has dodgy electrics in it. The bikes were, however, safe here.
Despite being on a fairly major road, it's reasonably quiet in December. Might well be noisy in summer if you have a sea view.
Very near the train station but quite high above it vertically - quickest way involves about 30 steps up, but a longer way is possible if you have wheeled luggage.
Breakfast generally very good, although you must pre-order every item you want - no room for spontaneity - but that's also great to avoid food waste.
The best member of staff by far was Bermudan - polite, attentive and kind. Without him, I would have given two blobs only.
So - do go, if you don't mind scruffy, because it's cheap - it's very handy for the station and the views are amazing.
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Date of stay: December 2024
Value
Rooms
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Craig Lawrence, General Manager at The St Ives Bay Hotel
Responded 30 Dec 2024
Good Morning, Thank you for your feedback, we are pleased that overall you enjoyed your stay with us. We are currently in a period of refurbishment at present and we attempting to redecorate as many bedrooms as we can in order to give our guests a better experience. With regards to your bikes, if you had spoken with our reception team, we would have been able to keep your bikes in a area that had been more accessible for you, but still safe. We are situated in between the two main roads in and out of St Ives, so unfortunately traffic noise is expected in busy periods. We are pleased that you you found our Operations Manager to be attentive of your needs. We are competitively priced in comparison to other hotels with in the area, and we offer a quality product for the rate that we charge. We hope to be able to see you again in the future. Kind Regards, Craig Lawrence General Manager
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We thought we were reporting a problem with the toilet, only to discover it's a known issue which can't be helped, apparently! reporting it was a waste of time.Â
We asked to move rooms and were told the hotel was full, except for room 35 and we wouldn't want that one, why wasn't explained but I can guess. This was later contradicted by another guest who had moved. Admittedly theirs was a medical reason whereas ours was a cleanliness/health & safety/flushing toilet issue.Â
It genuinely is a crying shame as the location is excellent and the communal areas are fine, although the area the bus trippers use for meals feels a bit penned in when there's a vaste spacious area right next door. My party of 3 weren't quick enough to bag a table together on the first evening and were told to sit separately or ask other guests to move, considering you are told that's your seat for the entire stay, this seems very unwelcoming and sets a very inhospitable tone for the stay. A couple kindly offered to move and share with others, the whole episode was very awkward, the staff member present was particularly unhelpful, dismissive and condescending.
If you choose to stay at this hotel, don't make my mistake be very clear with any complaints or issues, it's really hard to tell someone some of their workplace is filthy but you may need to spell it out. If you are on a coach trip, make the most of it, its not all bad and St Ives is lovely.
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Date of stay: September 2024Trip type: Travelled with friends
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Craig Lawrence, General Manager at The St Ives Bay Hotel
Responded 11 Oct 2024
Thank you for taking your time in leaving us your feedback here at St Ives Bay Hotel. I am sorry that on this occasion we did not meet your expectations, and that your room was not up to our normal high standards. There is nothing wrong with the toilet in your bedroom as this has a sani-flo system in, and the flush may not be as fast as you are used to however, we have checked the toilet and it flushes. The reason why room 35 would not have been a good room for your friend, is because it is up two flight of stairs, and this would have been less that enjoyable for her with her mobility issues. Our team work incredibly long and hard to ensure that all our guest have an enjoyable stay.. We are sorry that you did not appreciate this. Amazingly you state that our hotel is filthy, yet not once did you request during your stay for your room to be serviced, and also not once did you speak with any member of the managerial team to show your dissatisfaction. Unfortunately if you don't tell us that you have an issue... How are we to rectify it for you? We will use your feedback to enhance our guest experience as our team are dedicated in creating lasting memories for our guests. Kind Regards, Craig Lawrence | General Manager
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If you look on their website some rooms breakfast is included, otherwise it's £10 per person. Not sure about the the dinners. But the website has all the information or you could ring them up.
There are more places to choose from in the St Ives area.
PRICE RANGE
S$112 - S$165 (Based on Average Rates for a Standard Room)
LOCATION
United KingdomEnglandCornwallSt Ives
NUMBER OF ROOMS
85
Prices are the average nightly price provided by our partners and may not include all taxes and fees. Taxes and fees that are shown are estimates only. Please see our partners for more details.
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