Escape to…Landal Gwel an Mor
Zara Gaspar checks into luxury self-catering home away from home Landal Gwel an Mor for a relaxing seaside break in Poldark Country
First impressions:
Gwel an Mor means “view of the sea” in Cornish and this 5-star luxury self-catering accommodation offers just that – sweeping views of the sea at Portreath and the perfect break (especially if you’re a Poldark fan, as the TV series was filmed nearby and you can even see where cast members stayed at the resort).
We stayed at The Residence, stunning contemporary pine lodges, which boast a spacious sun-deck with barbecue and hot tub, two or three bedrooms, a stylish open plan lounge/kitchen with wood-burning stove and underfloor heating. However, the resort also offers classic Scandinavian-style lodges and studio lakeside lodges.
The rooms:
The rooms have modern decor with a countryside-chic feel and the lodge is decked out with everything you could need. On arrival there are chocolates and lollipops on the pillows and white bath robes. It has been well thought out with lots of nice touches including board games and books, and DVDs to choose from at reception. Our lodge even had a television in the bath!
Food and drink:
As the lodge is self-catering, if you’re eating in you’ll need to stock up food at the nearby town of Redruth as there are no shops on site, but there is a welcome pack with coffee, tea, and biscuits, as well as a bottle of wine in the fridge. And there’s a small cleaning starter pack which is ideal if you’re only there for a few days. You can also pre-order a breakfast pack, a picnic or cream tea and there’s a takeaway menu if you fancy a pizza or meal delivered to your doorstep.
The accommodation may be self-catering but you don’t have to eat in at all if you don’t want to. The Terrace restaurant and bar serves lunch and dinner, as well as coffee, afternoon tea and Sunday lunch. The menu has everything from pub grub like fish and chips and burgers to slow-cooked pork and the daily fresh fish special. I enjoyed a tasty halloumi salad at lunch and in the evening my crab cakes, lemon sole and stick toffee pudding were all delicious. The restaurant also offers a flight of four different Tarquin gins to sample – ideal for a sunny day on the terrace. Breakfasts are served at the Basecamp cafe in, where you can also get light lunches and snacks.
Spa:
You can relax and unwind at the resort’s spa which includes treatment rooms, swimming pool, whirlpool, sauna and steam room. I enjoyed the Treatment of the Month which included a hot stone black placement, foot exfoliation, mask application and massage, a radiance booster facial, head and scalp massage and hot stone neck and shoulder massage. The one-hour treatment was a wonderful treat and left me feeling refreshed and my body renewed.
Extras:
As well as the spa, there are a whole host of other activities for guests to enjoy from golf on Landal Gwel an Mor’s “famous nine” golf course, which is based on legendary holes around the world, to tennis and fishing in the lake. Walkers can enjoy a number of nature trails and paths to discover the area and its tin-mining heritage. But the real gem of the resort is the Feadon Wildlife Centre. It’s the only place you can hand feed foxes in the UK and you can get involved in falconry and badger exploration or meet the resident animals from the reindeer to the ferret,
There’s also plenty to see in the surrounding area, The beach is a short walk away and St Agnes, where parts of the television drama Poldark were filmed, is only a 15-minute drive from the resort.
The verdict:
Whether you’re looking for a relaxing break, an active getaway or a seaside holiday, Landal Gwel an Mor is a luxurious stay with friendly staff that’ll make you see self-catering in a whole new light.
