St Ives Harbour

St Ives Harbour
A beautiful day in St Ives

Wednesday 30 September 2015

Luxury dog friendly accommodation in St Ives…


As the beach ban is lifted and our four-legged friends may now play on the sand or splash in the sea all day long we are delighted to announce a few changes to our dog friendly policy…

These changes mean you and your pooch can enjoy a 5* break in our luxury dog friendly accommodation in St Ives anytime between September and June, including any school holidays that fall within these months. We currently offer four dog friendly properties – Curno, Harbour, Zennor and The Sail Lofts Cottage.

If you have stayed with us before you’ll be familiar with the scrumptious welcome pack you receive on arrival and we thought it was about time we extended this welcome to our furry friends, so all dogs holidaying with us will receive their very own welcome pack to enjoy during their stay. Don’t tell though; we want it to be a surprise.

We think St Ives is the perfect holiday spot for pups and with two fantastic beaches on our doorstop, The Sail Lofts 5* holiday apartments in St Ives are hard to beat. Our enviable location also gives you access to long stretches of coastal path. If you’re serious walkers you could tackle the 6-mile hike to Zennor and enjoy a spot of lunch at The Tinners Arms or The Gurnhard’s Head, both of which are dog friendly.



If you plan to stay closer to home there are plenty of bars and restaurants that allow dogs in St Ives. Some may have restricted areas so it’s worth checking in advance but here is a rundown of our favourites:

Rum & Crab Shack – Great for seafood dishes with a Forrest Gump twist. The rum list is pretty impressive too and with panoramic views across the Harbour The Rum & Crab Shack is well worth a visit.

Firehouse Bar & Grill – The burgers, pizza’s and rotisserie chicken all come highly recommended and the well-priced menu certainly offers fantastic value for money.

Pedn Olva Hotel – Dine in the bar area and your four-legged friend will be made to feel right at home. The bar menu offers a good selection of light bites and main meals and food is served from midday until 9pm.

The Loft – Enjoy lunch, tapas or dinner looking over the rooftops towards the Harbour from the heated terrace.  

Halsetown Inn (Just outside St Ives) – If you’re looking for a dog friendly Sunday lunch venue, look no further. We highly recommend booking though as it’s a popular choice.

To view our revised dog friendly policy, including any additional charges we make for bringing your four-legged friend along for the ride, please visit our luxury dog friendly page. If you need any further information please do not hesitate to contact one of the team on 01736 799175.

We look forward to welcoming you and your furry friend very soon.

Kelly x

Tuesday 29 September 2015

St Ives at Christmas...


For any of our guests at the Sail Lofts luxury self catering accommodation, in the run up to Christmas there are plenty of things to see and do, other than the more obvious shopping in the towns spectacular array of local boutique shops. Kicking off on Saturday 5th December, and then every Saturday following running up to the big day, St Ives branch line Christmas Train…

The famous Party Train with magicians and elves will be running between St Erth and St Ives every Saturday, so why not climb on board and visit Santa’s Grotto with all its festive spirit. To gain entry to the Christmas Party Train, buy your regular train ticket at the kiosk (there are family priced offers) then head to the decorated coach, where you will find music, children’s entertainers and each child will receive a goody bag. For more on the train times please follow the link below.

 
Or once darkness has fallen on a December evening, why not join the magical, mystical lantern parade as it lights the way from Barnoon, down past the Tate and along in to Fore Street and then along the Wharf. The wonderful array of lanterns depicts all things St Ives, with seals, mermaids, and perhaps the occasional sea-witch. Should you wish to be part of the making process why not pop along to a lantern-making session at the Barnoon Workshop. To view more on the procession, and workshops please see the link below. 



No run up to Christmas would be complete without a Christmas Panto, so why not book your tickets now to enjoy the Kidz R Us’s take on the traditional, combining the adventures of Robin Hood with the tale of the Babes in the Wood. Join them for this legendary story of courage and friendship as Robin Hood and his loyal band of Merry Men try to outfox the dastardly Sheriff of Nottingham and, meanwhile, help Nurse Nellie Nickerlastic protect the Babes from the Sheriff’s hopeless henchmen. It’s packed with pantomime fun and frolics, laughs for all the family, a soundtrack that you will be singing along to until next Christmas and plenty of chances to cheer and boo… 
 
To find out more about St Ives in December, please call our booking line on 01736 799175, or to learn more about our luxury self catering apartments our team are in the office Monday to Friday to aid in making your Christmas retreat one to remember.

Katy x 

Christmas availability
December availability
Christmas Party Train
St Ives Lantern Parade
Kids R Us Pantomime

Friday 25 September 2015

Sunday Lunch in St Ives...


Sunday Lunch in St Ives…

When on an autumn escape in St Ives the crisper air and long leisurely walks naturally evoke ones appetite for a warm and cosy hideaway coupled with a hearty, wholesome lunch. Whilst staying at The Sail Lofts luxury self catering apartments in St Ives there are a few nearby places that we recommend for a classic Cornish Sunday Lunch…

The Queens Hotel
Just a ten minute walk from our accommodation in the heart of St Ives is The Queens Hotel which offers tasty gastropub style food with the ambience and décor of a rural pub but in the centre of the town. Sunday lunch is served from 12pm to 9pm which gives you ample opportunity to fit in one of their delicious roasts.

Image result for the queens hotel st ives

The Halestown Inn
On the outskirts of St Ives in the pretty village of Halestown is the Halestown Inn, which is surrounded by the wild landscape of the Cornish coast and fields full of horses and ponies of every colour even some that have the same markings as a dalmation! The pub has a quirky country interior with modern murals on the walls of the surrounding countryside and even the spotty ponies! The menu is fresh and locally sourced and the Sunday Lunch is absolutely scrumptious. If you have any room left after your main it’s always worth trying to squeeze in one of their delicious deserts! I recommend the caramelised pavlova, passion fruit curd elderflower cream and salted hazelnuts – yummy. Sunday Lunch is served from 12 – 3:30pm. 

 Image result for halsetown inn

The Gurnards Head
Slightly further afield, about a 20 minute drive along the coastal road from St Ives to Landsend you will come across a bright mustard-yellow building, the colour of the surrounding gorse flowers, which is the Gurnards Head. It’s beautiful location is the perfect place for an autumnal walk before treating yourself to a hearty Sunday Lunch. Despite it’s larey exterior the Gurnards Head has a warm, inviting feel with characterful interior, open fires and beautiful local artwork on the walls. Lunch is served from 12 to 2:30pm or 6:30 to 9pm and is a popular spot for locals and those holidaying in Cornwall so we’d advise booking a table in advance.

 

Abi x

Thursday 24 September 2015

Whens the best time to visit St Ives?...


The first day of Autumn has crept up on us here in St Ives, especially with the last few sunny days lulling us into an extended summer, reminding me of a question I have heard and been asked on many occasions whilst working at The Sail Lofts, ‘when is the best time to visit St Ives?’ to which my response can be hard to believe to many enquirers.




Autumn in St Ives is truly special. Walking around the deserted harbour front on a cool crisp autumn morning can be one of the most awe inspiring moments that you will never forget. The calm stillness, the tingling chill of fresh Cornish air filling your lungs, and the sight of boats in the clear turquoise water bobbing serenely, with spectacular views of the sweeping St Ives bay beyond the safe harbour walls.

As the day warms up taking to the coastal paths is a must, to view the dramatic and ever changing coastline and nooks to catch glimpses of seals in the open coves taking shelter. Some of which can easily be mistaken for boulders, however a keen eye will see the familiar outline of one of Cornwall’s local seal population.
The local pubs again perfect for a secluded treat, where you can sit and read by open fireplaces whilst sampling the local tipples, before setting off on the next stretch of coastline.

There is warmth to Cornwall in the autumn, and I am not referring to the milder southwest climate, instead I speak of the local communities. Which come to life after the summer season quietens down. Giving visitors to the area a true sense of what Cornish life is all about. 



The beauty of getting to know a place is all in the experiencing it without the distraction of others, stripping away the noise and constant throng of tourists in the warmer months that pull you along in their current, giving little opportunity to step back and enjoy the wonder and beauty of St Ives.

The Sail Lofts luxury apartments in St Ives are currently offering 25% off all of their Autumn breaks, between September 21st and December 18th 2015. So if you would like to enjoy the wonder of St Ives for yourself, make sure not to miss out on your own 5 star Cornish retreat.

To book please call the Sail Lofts office on 01736 799175, or alternatively express your interest via email with your specified dates to info@thesaillofts.co.uk  quoting ‘Autumn 25’ to receive the 25% discount on your eventual booking.

Katy x

Wednesday 16 September 2015

Autumn days out...


With the red hues of autumn just around the corner and the prospect of long sunny beach days dwindling, we’ve rounded up our top pick of days out for when the weather isn’t so kind. Of course if you just plan to relax in one of our luxury apartments in St Ives, that’s fine, but if you fancy exploring further afield, here are some suggestions.

Tate St Ives
Porthmeor Beach, St Ives
Distance: 5 minute walk
With our guests getting free entry and it being on our doorstop this is ‘a must’. The building itself is an attraction with its obvious art deco design and thanks to its beachfront location the views are pretty spectacular too. Inside you’ll find modern art at its best alongside some thought provoking interactive displays.



Tehidy Woods
Just outside Camborne
Distance: 20 minute drive
With great woodland walks, dog friendly trails, ducks, geese and squirrels, this Country Park is perfect for an autumn stomp. The woods provide wonderful shelter so even if it’s a little wet you’re protected from the elements. Pack a bag of duck food and some nuts for the squirrels and you’ll (literally) have the wildlife eating from the palm of your hand. There’s also a lovely café buried within the woods serving a nice selection of food and drink.
 

National Maritime Museum
Discovery Quay, Falmouth
Distance: 50 minute drive
This museum aims to engage and inspire people with stories of the sea, boats and Cornwall and it certainly does that. If Cornwall’s heritage is something you’re keen to learn more about then it is certainly worth a visit. As well as the museum displays you can climb the Look Out Tower and enjoy panoramic views over the harbour, docks and estuary or head below sea level and check out the Tidal Zone. Here you can look into the harbour through two large windows and see the rise and fall of the tide. You may even get a glimpse of the wildlife that calls this harbour home. If you do make it to Falmouth I’d definitely recommend exploring the town too. There are some fabulous spots for lunch and a great selection of art galleries and boutique shops to nosey around.

Eden Project
Bodelva, Cornwall
Distance: 60 minute drive
Having quickly climbed the ranks, the Eden Project is without doubt Cornwall’s most famous attraction and once you are there it’s easy to see why. Descend into what once was a working china clay pit and you are immediately transfixed by the revolutionary design of the biomes that house plants from all over the world. With a focus on sustainability Eden gives a real insight into how we can do our bit for the environment and offers you a chance to get up close and personal with some weird and wonderful plants. Throughout the year there are some fantastic workshops to get involved with and Eden’s famous Ice Rink, set to a twinkly backdrop, should not be missed.


Whatever the weather our 5* accommodation in St Ives is perfect for a relaxing break and ideally placed for fun filled days out when you fancy getting out and about. For further information about our luxury apartments in St Ives please call 01736 799175 or visit our website, www.thesaillofts.co.uk

Kelly x 

Monday 14 September 2015

St Ives in Winter…

St Ives is one of Cornwall’s few coastal fishing towns that is open all year round, with a wide variety of festivals spanning all seasons, acting as a hub to a thriving coastal community. This can sometimes become disguised during the core of the summer months, as the town becomes full of brightly coloured buckets and spades…


Once the summer subsides the St Ives community springs back in to life, whilst in contrast the beaches empty out, and come October beaches are yours for the taking, with the vast open spaces ready for you to discover, without hazard of treading on someone else’s carefully honed sand castle.

Cornwall has always been renowned for its mild winters, with crisp blue skies and long stretching horizons. Perfect for meandering coastal walks, pub lunches, and afternoon cream teas. With our luxury apartments in St Ives creating the ideal space for relaxing and recuperating after days out in the fresh Cornish air.


Out of season you will also find that the roads are much quieter than in the summer months, giving you plenty of chances to venture to Cornwall’s beauty spots, unhindered by the usual summer tail backs. 

Should you be looking for dog friendly holiday in St Ives, look no further as the Sail Lofts has three dog friendly apartments, all just a stones throw from ideal walking, running and ball chasing hotspots; including from October 1st Porthmeor Beach, an expansive stretch of golden sand, that sits across the road from the apartments.


If you are looking for retail therapy, again you shall find all the shops in St Ives open and ready for business albeit in October much quieter, perfect for pursuing. The high street is bursting full of the likes of Seasalt, Crewe and Fat Face along with St Ives beautifully unique boutique shops and galleries.

The majority of restaurants you shall also find still open, and with much higher likelihood of getting the best seats in some of St Ives top eateries, which is reason enough to come out of season and enjoy St Ives.

Should you be interested in booking a stay in a luxury apartment in St Ives, or in finding out more about what St Ives has to offer in the winter months, please get in touch with us on 01736 799175. We are on hand to help, and to make recommendations on what to see and do whilst here in St Ives.

Katy x


Wednesday 9 September 2015

Christmas in St Ives...

St Ives has a lot to offer in the run up to Christmas, with its beautiful boutique shops with their windows twinkling with stunning coastal displays and gifts unique to the area. Not to mention the ultimate in luxury; spending a magical Christmas stay in St Ives, with daily walks on the beaches, and strolls around the cobbled streets, giving you plenty of opportunity to walk off any Christmas over indulgence…



The Sail Lofts luxury apartments in St Ives know that planning Christmas away from home can require a lot of organisation, so for guests staying with us over the Christmas break we go a long way in making your stay one to remember, starting with in your apartment you will find a real Christmas tree with plenty of decorations to dress it with.


Should you have presents that need hiding from prying eyes, we provide a Santa’s grotto to store all your Christmas presents until the little ones are tucked away in bed dreaming of sugar plum fairies, and Santa cruising in along St Ives roof tops.

As for the Christmas Day feast our friends at the Cornish Food Market are on hand to delivery all the best ingredients ready for your traditional Christmas dinner direct to your door.


In your apartment upon arrival you shall find a stock of wrapping supplies, ready for any last minute presents, along with provisions for Santa and his reindeers.

Christmas is an extremely popular time for us here in St Ives, so make sure not to miss out on booking your dream luxury apartment now ready for the big day. Our Christmas arrivals run Monday 21 December and depart Monday 28 December, unfortunately due expecting to be fully booked we cannot offer any flexibility on these arrival and departure days, so all bookings must be for the full 7 nights.

For instance why not book our five star apartment Ocean with its three floors of contemporary accommodation in St Ives with three double bedrooms and two bathrooms, topped by a relaxed living area with stunning sea views and spacious kitchen-diner a stone throw from Porthmeor Beach.  

To find out more about Christmas in St Ives, or to speak to a member of the team to make a booking, please feel free to call the central office on 01736 799175 and we will be happy to help.

Katy x


Friday 4 September 2015

Nautical November…

I hate to mention the c word however (with no wish to scare anyone)… Christmas is coming. The twinkle of fairy lights, and the sight of brightly shining baubles will soon be here, and whilst we all love Christmas it can be scary how fast it seems to come around.

St Ives is a haven for Christmas shopping, with its wide variety of boutique shops, bursting full of wonderful gifts and delights, perfect for even the hardest person to shop for. Interspersed with amazing coffee shops and cafes, ideal for refueling, during a long days shopping.

Below I have listed some of my favorite treats that I would recommend for Christmas presents, all with a St Ives nautical theme…

Starting at Jo Downs on the corner of Market Place, her beautiful glass selection of wish sticks, coasters, candle holders, display dishes, and wall mounted plaques could be the unique present that you are looking for with your loved one in mind, with simplistic yet effective designs that can work well with many peoples interiors.


Moving along in to Fore Street, the Painted Bird sell a wide selection of beautiful bronzes, wonderful ceramics and spectacular jewelry, we particularly like their Ahoy collection of glasses and ceramics, perfect for reminding your favorite person of their last visit to St Ives.



Delving deeper in to Fore Street on the left you will then encounter Poppy Treffry’s boutique, filled with hand stitched wonders, and printed masterpieces, their beside the sea theme has some of the most beautiful breezy boat textile designs, created skillfully into small coin purses up to medium sized tote handbags and everything in between. We are particularly partial to the long legged oystercatcher design.


The Sail Lofts five star accommodation in St Ives acts as a perfect base for all your shopping needs, allowing you to browse, and consider your purchases as you hunt out your Christmas gift list, whilst treating yourself along the way.

We have a range of luxury apartments available in St Ives during November, that can be booked as week long stays, or short breaks. To book, or to find out more about availability please view our website, alternatively please call our friendly reservations team in the office on 01736 799175, who will be happy to accommodate your needs, and assist in setting up your booking. We look forward to hearing from you…

Katy x