Pool at Seaspace porth — Miami-inspired indoor pool at SeaSpace, credit Maciej Zalewski

WHAT? WHERE?

The northern reaches of Newquay, Cornwall, are having a moment. Take the coast road away from the town centre and just on the hill at Porth, overlooking the Atlantic, is SeaSpace. It’s a zingy minty-fresh Miami inspired update to what was an old 1970s building, creating a colourful, lifestyle-led, design-led hotel with a neighbourhood energy at its heart.

You’ll find the ocean view SeaSpace a short walk from the sandy, family-friendly Porth Beach and just a five-minute drive to Watergate Bay.

THE VIBE

This is a coastal stay with a difference – everyone is invited. Rooms aren’t just places to sleep, there’s enough space for the whole family, and cooking facilities, with tables and sofas as well as bedrooms. The café is also a co-working space, the restaurant is open for locals as well as residents. The gym and pool are both open for local membership. The open plan indoor spaces are Scandi-chic with a side of American diner / motel with plenty of seating from long sharing tables to cosy arm chairs where you can also sit back and work.

After check out on a Sunday the main reception area is a bit more like a travel lounge, with groups and their luggage, and during the week full of Newquay’s workforce on their laptops, and having meetings, but it’s bright and friendly and welcoming.

SCOFF & QUAFF

Tallo is the Italian/American style restaurant on the ground floor serving pizzas, burgers, pasta, craft beer and cocktails. Festoon lighting and industrial furniture give warehouse vibes. Tables are filled with a mix of locals catching up over beers and burgers, families having dinner together and friends out for cocktails – but it is friendly and low key. It is west coast beers and east coast plates, brought to you by the people behind The Atlantic, New Polzeath, and craft makers at Harbour Brewing Co and Treleavens Ice Cream.

Every apartments has cooking facilities; the studios have hobs and the apartment proper kitchen areas including an oven, so you can also self-cater, which is great for a multi-night stay. I probably wouldn’t attempt full on multi-pan cooking in the studios (it is not the place to whip a Sunday roast) not least because the dishwasher is tiny, and the bed is practically in the kitchen, but there’s space to create a pretty decent meal if you’re creative.

All rooms have tea and coffee making facilities, with coffee, tea and fresh milk provided for your first night, but if you fancy barista brewed or some brunch or breakfast, the café & deli in the open, bright lobby space offers freshly baked pastries, and also light lunches. The blueberry and bacon pancakes were so good I ate them both mornings, and the chorizo, sweet potato and pepper dish was excellent. Service was quick and you don’t need to stay upstairs to head over for breakfast, just saying. The little self-service top-up larder shop is also handy and sells local Origin coffee, as well as milk, bread and other staples.

PILLOW TALK

Plenty of choice here to suit all needs, whether you’re nipping down the road for a night away, or heading down to Cornwall for a week’s coastal stay. The studios all have king sized beds and kitchen facilities, plus easy chairs, and a table. The large studios are the winner for beds with sea views, and have a bunk room for two kids (but if you’ve rangy teens you might be better off in an apartment). Book the two- and three-bed apartments for options with twin and bunk rooms in addition to the king sized main room.

interior apartment at SeaSpace Porth Cornwall

37 of the 56 apartments and studios have sea views, the rest look over the countryside. All are stylishly decorated (thank local interiors expert Dynagh Designs there) in cheerful bold colour schemes which major on seaside colours but don’t feel at all coastal in a naff way – the overall effect is playful and joyful. The bathrooms are all striking powder blue stripes with gold hardware and Land + Water toiletries, with white towels; the studio bathrooms have walk-in rainforest showers, and some of the apartments also have free standing tub baths. No robes or slippers though, you’ll need to bring your own.

SPA

Ok, it’s not a spa, but it is a Miami-inspired indoor pool just named by Forbes as one of the most gorgeous indoor pools in the world, saying the “arched windows at this vintage-inspired pool provide views of the Atlantic”. From 7am-9am and 7pm-9pm, the 19m heated indoor pool is adults only – outside of these times it is a hit with the kids, and there is also a splash pool for little ones, and a hot tub to escape them. Live locally – join as a community member.

The changing area is stripped back and familiar: blue & white striped towels and the group’s (very nice) Land + Water toiletries are in all the showers. Lockers are available but no whizzy thing to dry off your suit so bring a bag down with you.

Miami inspired heated indoor pool at at SeaSpace Porth Cornwall — credit Maciej Zalewski

KID-FRIENDLY?

Yes! Very much so, with plenty to keep them occupied. Inside, there’s a fun games room, with fusball and indoor basketball and darts. Outside, there’s a big playground and a lovely mature planted maze. All guests can hire the Padel court once it is back open (it was damaged in recent storms and under repair, so we didn’t get to try it out) but teens should be aware that the gym is 18+.

School holidays see lots of activities, like an Easter trail, and SeaSpace also hosts events, like this fun sounding Family Brunch Club with Naughty Nonnas.

Guests staying at SeaSpace can make use of SUP and board hire brought to SeaSpace from adventure partner Wavehunters, based at Watergate Bay, below. Book surf lessons with Wavehunters at Watergate, or have a go yourself at either beach. My kids joined a group lesson at the beach and had a complete blast with the excellent instructors – their two hours flew by, and all equipment even boots and gloves was included, and there is space to change / leave your gear while you’re in the water at Wavehunters at the top of the beach at Watergate Bay. Wavehunters also do private tuition, yoga and fitness classes and run boat trips.

OUT & ABOUT

It’s just a five-minute drive up to Watergate Bay, but the South West Coast Path will also take you there along the cliffs – and the views are immense – or, you could head down the hill to another wide sandy beach at Porth. There is a café, pub, and Roo’s Beach – clothes and lifestyle shop. It is also an easy drive into Newquay itself (check out our guide here) for meals and shopping, plus aquarium, zoo and arcades.

SeaSpace is a great place to stay for Boardmasters in the summer, Cornwall’s biggest festival as you’ll be just five minutes away from all the action.

The nearest airport and railway station are at Newquay, and an easy taxi ride away (it’s Cornwall though, so pre-book). If you are driving, Porth is not far off the A39 and there’s plenty of parking behind the hotel, along with ten universal type two charging points and one accessible charging point.

DOG-FRIENDLY?

Well-behaved house trained dogs are welcome at SeaSpace. A charge of £15 per night for the first dog and £5 per night for a second dog is made.

ACCESSIBILITY

Easy-to-access lobby spaces, sensory gardens for anyone who needs time out from the bustle, pool hoist and under-counter hearing loops make sure everyone gets the full SeaSpace experience. They’ve also signed up to the Makaton aware initiative to key into guests’ needs.

Ground floor accessible studios & apartments have walk-in showers, grab rails, and stretching garden views. The restaurant and café are also on the ground floor and fully accessible. SeaSpace also work with partners who offer accessible active activities including surfing and beach access. Read their full statement here.

THE MUDDY VERDICT

Fun, friendly, chilled and welcoming, SeaSpace is as popular with the locals as it is the holiday makers. Rooms are playfully decorated with stunning sea views, and the food in the café is great. We loved the laid-back surf vibe, and the pool was a stand-out.

Good for: Families, especially when you’ve three kids, or a mix of teens, as you need only book one room and have enough space to sleep. We also saw that it was popular with groups of friends having a night off, or a weekend away. SeaSpace’s beauty is it is informal, flexible, and vibey.

Not for: It’s very laid-back and can be busy with kids. If you’re after somewhere that offers room service, or more formal dining, or is adults-only, there are other places which might suit you better locally.

The damage: Book studio stays for just £45pppn.

SeaSpace, Watergate Road, Porth, Cornwall, TR7 3LX

Review: SeaSpace, Porth, Newquay, Cornwall

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