Pentire penthouse, Fistral Beach - review

Fistral beach has been a place of pilgrimage for surfers since the Sixties, but its proximity to Newquay's 'naff nightlife' means it’s often been overlooked by weekenders, favouring neighbouring St Ives or Padstow instead.

But new restaurants, a boutique penthouse stay and a clifftop spa is positioning this pretty stretch of the Cornish coast as an attractive rest and relaxation break for sworn urbanites looking for a cool, coastal escape. Here’s everything you should know about spending a long weekend on the coast.

Where is it:

Fistral’s glorious stretch of golden sand is situated on the north coast of Cornwall, where waves from the Atlantic ocean create year-round, world-class surf. The beach itself is backed by steep sand dunes, giving it a wonderfully remote and private feeling with all the trappings of a traditional seaside town - wander by the shore off-season and you’ll be hard-pushed to spot another soul. The view from the balcony of the penthouse sweeps over Pentire head and takes in the iconic Headland Hotel, while the bars, shops and attractions of Newquay can be reached by foot in just 15 minutes from your doorstep.

Style: Set over two floors, the circular penthouse dominates the top of a contemporary building right on the coastal path, boasting some of the most stunning views in Fistral. If country cottages aren’t your thing, this is sure to be the contemporary seaside stay for any city-dweller that doesn’t want to give up their home comforts. The style is retro and kitsch with details to please design lovers and Soho House regulars: think trendy teak side tables, Eames-style armchairs and hanging Arco floor lamps that will have you spending hours on Etsy and Made.com hunting down each piece for your own flat.

The highly Instagrammable details come alongside luxury comforts like cosy Cornish wool quilts, cowhide rugs and buttery leather chairs to curl up in on a rainy day with a stack of books and boardgames. The upper level, which contains the living and dining area, has a sleek and minimal feel with floor to ceiling windows that give a wonderfully light and airy feel to the space on a sunny day. Downstairs there are four big bedrooms that have been designed with the style-conscious in mind. Think: sheepskin rugs, brass light fixtures and carefully sourced mid-century furniture.

Facilities: The penthouse has four light and spacious double rooms while the property sleeps up to ten people. Each room comes with its own en-suite bathroom, fitted with rainforest showers, separate baths and stacks of Ren toiletries. Upstairs there’s a contemporary kitchen with everything you need should you decide to hole up for the evening and cook dinner for an intimate party. The penthouse also comes with gated underground parking, lift access and a room with a washer/dryer. Outside you’ll find a behemoth hot tub big enough to fit eight people, on a large balcony that wraps around the front of the penthouse with plenty of space for al fresco drinks and sunbathing on a sunny day.

What is there to do? Having a car is a must if you plan on visiting everything Fistral and the surrounding area has to offer. We took a Maserati Ghibli around Cornwall’s winding country roads, putting the vehicle’s firecracker engine and speed-steering to the test on along the west coast. Hiring a high-performance car is a great option if you’re looking for a weekend of pure escapism, and the sporty driving experience of the Ghibli on a sunny day felt more like taking to Italian hills rather than the southwestern tip of the UK.

The Minack Theatre, a stunning coastal amphitheatre constructed above a gully with a rocky granite outcrop jutting into the sea, is just one hour’s scenic drive away, while the independent shops, cosy pubs and pretty cobbled side streets of St Ives are just 45 minutes by car. No visit to Fistral itself is complete without taking a surfing lesson and braving the world-class waves. The beach’s surf school can lend you everything you need to get started, from a board and wetsuit to hour-long group lessons.

Walkers will love to visit here too - the South West Coast Path is also right on your doorstep, a scenic walking route that stretches for 630 miles. The section near Fistral takes in The River Gannel (which was once a bustling waterway but is now a peaceful saltmarsh), West Pentire and miles of vibrant and bracing shoreline. Here you can spot wading birds, salt-water plants and find plenty of beauty spots for a summer picnic.

Food and Drink: Fistral is starting to become a real foodie hotspot and there a plenty of places to check out on a weekend break. No trip to the seaside should go without a traditional plate of fish and chips and Rick Stein’s at Fistral Bay serves up a good portion with a relaxed, self-service vibe. The gem of the local area is Paul Harwood’s Fish House, a cosy dining spot that serves up some of the finest seafood in Cornwall in an intimate, rustic surf-shack strung with fairy lights. The menu is focused on local produce, with freshly caught mackerel and mussels, crab and lobster dishes at pleasingly reasonable prices.

The iconic Headland Hotel, meanwhile, which towers over the bay in all of its Victorian red brick glory, and does a very good afternoon tea for walkers in need of refuelling. Newquay, which is a 15-minute walk away, is mainly home to naff pubs and bars, but there are still some brilliant little gems to be found in this seaside town. Recent opening Box and Barber, for example, is a cool little coffee shop and kitchen that serves the most delicious avo on toast, creamy lattes, Instagrammable acai bowls.

Best for: Couples on a group weekend away.

When to go? The peak of summer is guaranteed to give you the best weather to enjoy sitting in the hot tub, zooming around in a sports car and enjoying the spoils of the coast. If you head here off season however (we visited in March), you’ll beat the school leavers and crowds of tourists.

Price: Rates start at £1,200 for four nights (low season) increasing to £4,800 for a week (high season) for the whole penthouse sleeping 10 guests.

Details: tregulland.co.uk

The Ghibli Diesel is available from £49,860.00. For more information please visit maserati.co.uk