The Idle Rocks

Everything was excellent, from the lovely room with a great view, our own coffee machine and freestanding bath; to the incredibly relaxing lounge, especially when we were sat in front of the open fire, to the delicious food in the restaurant with friendly helpful staff. In short, we'll be back! 😄

St Mawes is a special place, unchanged by time and offering the very best Cornwall can give. The Idle Rocks is situated overlooking the harbour with simply beautiful views, over the harbour directly in front, to the left towards the Percuil River and beyond St Mawes Castle towards Falmouth. We made our booking with Emma, and experienced excellent service. We parked at one of the hotel's private car parking spaces in the main car park and checked in easily. Summer took us to our room which was in Carricknath Cottage, a beautifully appointed room overlooking St Mawes Harbour. This room was tastefully furnished with all the extras you would expect and more! Aromatherapy toiletries, bath robes and slippers in an immaculately presented bathroom which contained a superb power shower and fluffy towels. Thoughtfully presented extras included make up remover and other essentials were also available in matching wicker baskets. The huge bed was exceptionally comfortable and strewn with tasteful cushions which could be moved to the window seat to offer even more comfort in gazing out at the harbour and the regular chugging of the St Mawes to Falmouth passenger ferry. Chilled sparkling and still water was available in the mini fridge and a good range of speciality teas or coffee from the Nespresso coffee machine, with fresh milk from a jug, no sachets. When we returned from our evening out, our bed had been turned down, fresh water placed on our bedside tables and dim lights switched on to welcome us back. We settled down to watch the sun setting over the horizon as a few moored boats turned down their lights for the evening. A unique idea was perhaps a welcome card addressed to us which we noticed as we unpacked and our names written on our room's from door - both of these added to the personal touch which The Idle Rocks has clearly been doing so well for many years. Summer deserved a special mention for being so determined to help us find somewhere local to eat when the hotel's restaurant was full. We went to the Plume of Feathers at Portscatho, a 15 minute drive and a truly traditional Cornish pub. The only disappointing part of our stay was the slow service at breakfast. The food was wonderful but it took a long time before we were able to order our tea or coffee, seemingly sitting unnoticed for quite some time. Overall, a fabulous stay and a beautiful place we highly recommend. Thank you!

I was genuinely looking forward to a meal at the idle rocks and what a mistake it was, over priced and lack of imagination, I don’t post or write bad reviews but this was a joke I’m shocked that a beautiful place has such a lack of quality and imagination to there food if anything after being so annoyed it just turned in to disappointment. I genuinely hope rather than make excuses you look at the issues and find a way to make it a better experience but I doubt they will and nothing will change.

This was a shambles, lack of staff and personality, the breakfast was awful, believe that the chefs had been sacked the previous day… will not be returning - £400 a night very disappointed. Only plus was the views are stunning and the decor is ok

Having arrived at the Idle Rocks as a bit of a surprise, after not being allowed to board our flight to Turkey to celebrate 20 yrs of marriage! (I had 5 days less than what I needed on my passport and had no idea… thought it was 3 months not 6). We were exhausted & a little bit emotional. The welcome at reception from Emma was just what I needed. Calm, cheerful and so wonderfully kind. She had booked us restaurants for supper on the evenings we were staying and sent us out onto the terrace to relax whilst they put our bags in the room. We were given a lovely glass of sparkling and quite simply… that view … looking out at the busy St Mawes harbour, all the beautiful boats going back and forth, was so mesmerising… it made everything that had happened that morning melt away. But… this is the best bit… having lost all our money on the hotel in turkey we could only afford to book the smallest room, however we went upstairs and got shown into the most STUNNING sea view room. Emma & her team had upgraded us, we were speechless. The room was heavenly, beautifully decorated, awesome bath & shower. Super comfy bed and well… the view was nothing short of magic!!! Thank you to the Idle Rocks for the best 20th wedding Anniversary ever… we hope to be back. Oh and DEFINITELY don’t miss the Cornish Cream Tea 🫖 ♥️ 🍰

From the very welcome tea and scones on arrival to the last delicious breakfast, The Idle Rocks does not dissapoint. Brilliant staff, excellent chef, informative bar staff. We had a peaceful, cozy and comfortable stay and thoroughly enjoyed every meal and drink in the hotel. Cannot wait to return.

Beyond amazing. From the reception we got on arrival to the exquisite food we enjoyed, to (sadly) checking out, everything was absolutely perfect. The room was so comfortable with every tiny detail thought about; a night light in the bathroom, real milk (not creamers!) in the mini fridge , our names on the door and the Zzzz plaque, the personal welcome card, the quality of all of the furnishings, it honestly couldn’t have been more perfect! We were celebrating our 20th wedding anniversary and it couldn’t have been better x thank you to Karen & David for creating something so comfortable and luxurious and it was so pleasing to hear the staff are happy there too! Total compliments to your chefs and catering team. We have eaten at the Ritz & Fortnum and mason before, but they have nothing on your offering! We can’t wait to come back x

Unbelievably expensive breakfast and absolutely dreadful. Shop bought avocado on toast, eggs Benedict was just one egg. Not freshly squeezed orange juice. Lunch was good and the terrace is beautiful.

We stayed here for my 60th birthday and it was superb! We were upgraded to a sea view room which was stunning and so comfortable - really good bed. The food is exceptional and it was a lovely breakfast. One of our favourite places to stay and eat.