Bedruthan Steps Hotel

Had a week here over the October half term with my 3 sons (7, 5 and 18 months). If money were no object then I would probably return but as I'm not a millionaire then I expect value for money and unfortunately I didn't feel we got it here. Yes, it's a nice hotel but it's not outstanding and for over

A great break away with the children - the childcare is excellent and all 3 (7, 5, 2) enjoyed the kids clubs. The adults only spa is also great, as are the outside play facilities.

Downsides: the food could be better in the evening sometimes, particularly the vegetarian options. The evening entertainment could also do with a bit of improvement.

Comments from other Mumsnetters:

"Finally a place where you can really relax and feel welcome with chidren." Bedruthan Steps is in a "great location above a wonderful beach" the service is "excellent" and the food "fabulous." "Kids' tea time" is "the best!" The evening meal is child-free which suited some but not all but there is an evening club, described as "brilliant." "It has a high rate of people returning year after year (always a good sign) and early booking seems vital." "Costly, but worth every penny." "It's a kids' heaven."

Completely over rated. This place is so out of date it felt like holidaying inan old people's home, without teh old people.

Just got back from an amazing 5 nights at BedSteps - our first trip there with our 8 month old. I couldn't recommend this place highly enough. It felt like a real break. The facilities are great (with plenty to do whether the weather is good or bad - essential for England of course!). Staff were excellent and bent over backwards to help out. Food was seriously good. Views are amazing. We went the first week of the mid-season pricing and thought it was tremendous value.

I visited Bedruthan Steps during February half-term with my DH and 7-yr-old daughter to check out the facilities of one of Cornwall's best-known family hotels. We stayed in one of their large family rooms which had a separate sleeping area with two single beds for children (complete with a blind to pull down to further separate our sleeping area from hers). We also checked out some of the other accommodation and were impressed with both the villas (we saw a 'small' one with a bunk bed area for the kids - leaving the room with the sea view for mum and dad) and the apartments - the one we saw had three bedrooms and two bathrooms, great for larger families. All the rooms have fridges and there's a parent's kitchen on site with microwave and laundry facilities.

While the natural location obviously helps - it's a four-minute walk downhill to the massive sandy beach (and about a 15 minute slog back up!) - the hotel's own facilities will cover anything the UK weather can throw up. There are two large-ish outdoors pools, plus an indoor pool and a spa area for adults only. Our daughter loved the jungle gym, which equalled in size anything we have near us in London. There are also numerous children's clubs - more during half-term - and if you go during the holidays the hotel puts on a series of daily activities (food foraging, beach safaris) and evening entertainment which was of a really high standard - magicians, fancy dress discos etc. The playground is particularly well set out with a zip wire, pirate climbing frame, assault course, wendy house etc.

It's useful to be aware of the hotel's policy in the evening - they believe firmly in allowing parents some child-free time. This means that under-8s have to take a separate high tea, or eat with their parents in an early sitting in a separate part of the main restaurant (only available during school holidays) Babysitters are bookable, and there's a baby-listening service combined with a room alarm system. Alternatively, during school holidays there's an evening club which runs to 10.30pm allowing parents to dine on their own. The hotel's public areas also become child-free zones after 10pm.

We had a mixed experience in the restaurants -a fairly average evening meal (which listening to other regulars, seemed to be an exception to the rule) and an excellent Sunday lunch. We also ate out one night at Bedruthan's sister hotel - the adult-only Scarlet Hotel which is a 5 minute walk away and an ultra-modern eco hotel with a swish restaurant with great sea views. It's well worth trying to book a meal here.
As for the staff - they were uniformly friendly and helpful - nothing was too much trouble for them, although a few - particularly in the restaurants - did seem to be still learning the ropes.

Once you've got the hang of how Bedruthan works, it's a great holiday for all the family. They get a lot of regular customers, including those who came as children and now return with their own kids - so they're obviously doing something right!

We've stayed at Bedruthan Steps on a couple of occasions and the views from the bedrooms take your breath away. We had a panoramic view of the sea and the sunsets were magical!
The focus is on keeping both the children and their parents occupied, with childrens clubs, entertainment, pools, a soft play area and outdoor activies. For the adults there is a wonderful spa and beauty area, deep relaxing sofas etc. However, the service we experienced each evening in the restaurant is what prevents this family friendly hotel from being perfect.
As mentioned in previous reviews the staff either ignore you or clear your plates before you've had a chance to finish your mouthful and lack knowledge of food or service.
Despite the cost of staying at this hotel (particularly during the school holidays) being fairly pricey there appears to be little in the way of management presense, asking whether you are 'enjoying your stay' or 'need anything further'.
Sadly, none of the staff go beyond what is considered expected, although I must say I wouldn't rule out staying again as the other aspects simply out weigh the negatives.

Overall, had a lovely holiday. Went with 15 month old. The kids mealtimes are fantastic, with a great choice - perfect for a little one who changes his mind about what he likes! The team in the children's restaurant were simply amazing - and my little boy was transfixed with one waitress! Lots of details that make a difference - plastic bibs, lots of children's plastic cutlery at all meals.

The facilities are good, didn't use the creche as want to spend time with my little boy on a holiday. But everything i came across was wonderfully clean - and i was quite happy for my little crawler to trawl the corridors and equipments - the soft play area was scrupiliously clean and you could see cleaning going on throughout the day in the main hotel.

The bedrooms were okay - not as luxurious as i would have expected for the price, but the views are amazing.

However i do have one negative - the service in the main restaurant was just appalling - not the team's fault as they were in the main very lovely indeed, but there is just no process. You were either ignored completely or hounded by 3 waiting staff. They didn't really notice which were 'their' tables and whether you had been served. On our first morning we didn't have a clue what to do and no one came to us to explain or take our coffee order at all. The same with the dinner. The restaurant management should be able to sort this out very easily - it's not what you expect from such a lovely hotel, and really annoyed us because everything else was so good so it really stood out as a negative.

I agree with other posts however, no camarderie with other guests which is a shame, we're all in the same boat, and again this let the break down a little.

Bedruthan Steps is an excellent family hotel. The new improved spa facilities were wonderful. the beach is just a 5 minute stroll down a few steps. The seaviews from your hotel room are magnificent.
Rooms are spacious and very well designed.
Children meals - both variety and quality were good.
My only real complaint about Bedrurthan would be the choice and quality of the adult meals served, as I did not feel that These lived up the the standards shown throughout the rest of the hotel.

A lot of thought has gone into ensuring that the kids have a great time and parents don't need to worry. From homebaked fairy cakes at kids' teatime to step stools in the bathroom and an integral babylistening service as well as prompt, and kind babysitters. Fabulous spa with great choice of treatments. Food excellent but rather rich! We went there as tri-generational party with grandparents and can highly recommend it.

We had a fantastic holiday - they really have thought of everything to keep toddlers and their parents happy. Genius roller-blind screens in the bedrooms to create a separate sleeping area; heaps of different play rooms; baby listening that lets you free in the evening; a stunning child-free infinity pool with a view; and lots of friendly and helpful staff. Only half an hour from the Eden Project and loads of other days out too. Would definitely recommend.

Even though I've given this place reasonable marks out of 10, what I would like to say is that it lacks soul. We never felt any warmth or cosiness there, and never felt any cameraderie with other families, even though we were all pretty much in the same boat. A shame really.

great for families with pre-schoolers - go outside school hols - otherwise v pricey

We have two kids aged 4 and 18 months. So much to do, indoor softplay, kids entertainment each night 6-7pm, trampoline, outdoor pool and jacuzzi, indoor pool, outdoor play areas. The villas back onto the pirate ship play area. Family dining in lovely restaurant at 7pm which really suited us. Big bed although a little firm.

A good location with great views and a lovely beach at the bottom of the cliff. DS (age 2) loved the playgrounds and the children's club. It was a real treat to be able to leave him and nip into Padstow for a slap up lunch. The pool is lovely, and there is an adults only area too, but I wouldn't go to this hotel unless you have kids - they get everywhere! Kid's teatime is a really good idea. Baby listening seems to work, but I was slighlty worried the DS could have let himself out of the room very easily if he'd got out of his cot. I think they would have provided a stairgate if we'd thought to ask - I saw one on another room. The villa suite was great as it meant that we didn't have to have DS in with us (he's a very noisy sleeper)Service at dinner was sometimes a bit haphazard, and the food was quite rich, but the overall experience was great.

The childcare and spa were fabulous. Despite mixing up my spa bookings they finally managed to find me a session. The spa area was lovely and DH and I really relaxed.

Access to beach is difficult if you are not fit - I was heavily pregnant and we had to drive. Not sure I could have got a pram down there either. The beach and view are both lovely. DD loved it! the pools are also fab.

The rooms are hot. No airconditioning and we all found we did not sleep well. It was not even particularly hot when we went, so would avoid in summer.

Food quite nice and a very good wine selection. You can now choose to eat with your children but at an earlier time.
Children's meal times are a great idea and should work well, but I am not sure what happens. Parents (not children)turn feral, shoving for the last sausage/chips (more always come), stressing out about how much their child/ren have eaten etc. DH and I could not believe it and actually found it most hilarious to watch.

YOu do not need to do much but there are some lovely villages to visit locally.

The childcare really makes this place. The creche is lovely, the listening devices are great and our DD loved the evening entertainment. It also meant DH and I got to enjoy time together and relax.

There is a cafe on site where you can get lunch - we found the selection poor, prices high and they totally botched our bill when we checked out but as we had been given no receipt had no way to prove this. Best to go down to beach cafes for lunch and provisions.

Very very nice - and VERY VERY overpriced!

Approached the whole family holiday thing somewhat sceptically! Always done exploring remote parts of Italy previous summers but after a weary 2 years with our youngest we decided to spoil ourselves and let DD1 become a dolphin in the clubs for a week! It was just heavenly! Everything was spot on - the staff couldn't do enough for us and the facilities were marvellous. The weather was appalling but it made no difference! The children adored the soft play area, we adored the coffee! Plenty of outside space for the odd bit of sunshine but it didn't matter. Children's clubs were such good fun for our girls and really appreciated the quiet time before we picked up at 10pm so they were ready to be tucked up into the incredibly comfy beds with fab fluffy duvets - wonderful! Made tacital error of forgetting to pack any "going out" shoes and did feel a little scruffy for dinner so will remember for next year to pack a little more carefully ..... we've already booked again!! Italy can wait for a couple of years!

Sea View villas are worth the extra

Great holiday spot. The food (for both parents and kids)was better than Watergate Bay Hotel though access to the beach is not as good. Our 4 and 1 year old thoroughly enjoyed the beach, pool and indoor and outdoor play areas. The grown-up enjoyed the food tremendously - we have our expanded waists to prove it. We will go back again. (We thought they could do with air-conditioning.)

A small slice of heaven on earth for families with younger children.