F

or such an intimate hotel — it’s small, with just eleven rooms, and family-owned — Old Quay House is a remarkably well-polished place. The owners, it turns out, are no strangers to the hotel business, so service is sharp and the interiors are sophisticated in their confident restraint.

The building is perched dramatically at the water's edge, and several of the rooms look out over the estuary from private balconies. Individual rooms vary slightly, but all are done in an airy contemporary style, with top-quality linens on the beds and modern bathrooms stocked with fine White Company bath products. It's as restful as can be, just watching the boats pass by, with little to disturb the near-perfect quiet.

Most of the appeal lies in the delightfully cozy bedrooms, but the few public spaces don’t disappoint. There's a sun terrace, where guests can take in the river views and the breeze, and inside, a comfy fireside lounge. The restaurant, Q, set right above the water, marries a friendly, casual atmosphere with outstanding local fare like Fowey River oysters, local scallops, West Country meats and Cornish cheeses — enough to defeat any outdated notions of uninspired British food.

Please note: The Old Quay House Hotel cannot accommodate children under the age of 12.

How to get there:
The Old Quay House is located in Fowey, approximately 24 miles from Plymouth Airport (PLH).