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

The September Festival: An Autumn Art Class

September is the perfect time to visit St Ives, the streets are quieter, the weather is warm and the days are still long. Autumn in St Ives is also a magnet for artists, with its special quality of light, the ever changing skies and the beautiful ocean views. If you’re treating yourself to a relaxing five star self catering holiday we think an art class is the perfect way to unwind. Whether you’re a beginner or a professional there’s something for everyone. 

The St Ives School of Painting sits just down the road from our luxury self catering cottages and over looks the beautiful Porthmeor beach. It has long been an important historical, cultural and social mecca for the town ever since the school first opened in 1938. After becoming a charitable trust in 2000 and undergoing some much needed renovations the school has been given a new lease of life.

They offer a multitude of classes for all levels all year round including short workshops and weekender art courses with prices starting from £15. There’s even a drop in life drawing class. All abilities are welcome and all the materials are provided so you don’t need worry about to packing your paints to take on holiday. Although if you’ve got an artistic flair you’re welcome to bring along any of your favourite brushes or tools that you just can’t live without!

As well its popular art courses every year the school takes a leading role in the St Ives September Festival which runs from Saturday 12^th to Saturday 26^th  September. There are over 200 events including music, theatre, dance and art and with The St Ives School of Painting offering subsidised art workshops and special one off classes it’s the perfect time test your skills with a brush.

Whether you’re visiting our five star accommodation during the St Ives September Festival or just in the quiet of Autumn, we think an art class is an ideal way to relax and explore your creative side. There’s something so special about taking time out of your busy lives to just listen, learn and create. You never know, you might come home with something to frame. 

Onna x 

A Guide to St Ives Beaches: Part 2

If you caught up with us last week, you will have seen part one of our guide to St Ives beaches and today we’re back with part two. We think St Ives has some of the most beautiful beaches in the country, yes we may be a little biased but wait until you see them. What better way to make the most of your self catering holiday than to explore our beautiful Cornish beaches?

Gwithian

About thirty minutes drive from our holiday cottages you will find the beautiful and expansive Gwithian. It offers everything a family could want with The Sunset Surf beachside café and bar overlooking the beach, great surf conditions and plenty of small coves and rock pools for the kids to enjoy.

Awards: Trip Advisor Certificate of Excellence.

Lifeguard Service: Cover from 5th May to 30th September and weekends during October.

Parking: Parking at Gwithian Towans

Dogs: Seasonal dog ban from Easter to 1st October.

Toilets: Yes

Carbis Bay

Sheltered by the large tree covered cliffs, Carbis Bay is only is only a ten minute drive from our luxury accommodation making it the perfect family friendly beach. You can even arrive by foot following the beautiful cliff walk that leads straight to the beach. The lack of surf means it’s not ideal for those looking to catch a wave, but the turquoise waters are perfect for swimmers and young families.

Awards: Trip Advisor Certificate of Excellence

Lifeguard Service: Cover from 7th July to 2nd September.

Parking: Parking at train station.

Dogs: Dogs are permitted from 5a.m.- 8 a.m during summer. Allowed at any time from October 1^st – Easter Day.

Toilets: Yes

Porthkidney

The vastness of Porthkidney, particularly when the tide is out, makes this beach the perfect option if you want the space to kick a ball about. The sheer size of this beach means you don’t need to worry about overcrowding. It’s also one of the few beaches that allows dogs all year round so if you’ve brought man’s best friend with you it’s a great way to still enjoy some sand between your toes. The only down side is there is no facilities.

PLEASE REMEMBER: The river is not suitable for swimming as the riptides at this end of the beach can be dangerous.

Awards: Trip Advisor Certificate of Excellence.

Lifeguard Service: Daily cover from the 7th July to 2th September.

Parking: Very Limited parking at Lelant Church.

Dogs: Dogs allowed all year round.

Toilets: No

That’s a wrap on our guide to St Ives beaches. We hope you enjoy exploring these Cornish gems and much as we do. We’re here to help make your self catering holiday the best it can be, please don’t hesitate to ask if you need any advice on which beach is right for you! 

Onna x 

A Guide to St Ives Beaches: Part 1...

When staying in our beautiful self catering apartments you are absolutely spoilt for choice with some of the most breathtaking beaches in the country. There’s something for everyone, with surfing coves, dog walking spots, and family friendly beaches safe for children. Why not make the most of your holiday by taking in the best beaches we have to offer? Here’s part one of our guide to the St Ives beaches. 

Porthmeor

Just a stones throw away from The Sail Lofts you will find Porthmeor, one of Cornwall’s most beautiful beaches. This Atlantic facing beach is a surfers paradise. It’s not particularly sheltered on a windy day, so make use of the Sail Loft’s wind breaks. It has all the facilities you could need with the Porthmeor Beach Café serving beautiful food to eat in or takeaway. If you’re interested in dabbling in some water sports Porthmeor also boasts the St Ives Surf School which offers lessons, board hire, kayaking and coasteering. 

Awards: Blue Flag & Trip Advisor Certificate of Excellence.

Lifeguard Service: Cover during weekends in April, daily from 5th May to 30th September and weekends in October.

Parking: No Designated Parking.

Dogs: Seasonal ban from Easter to the 1^st October.

Toilets: Yes.

Porthminster

Only a 15 minute walk from our holiday cottages this sheltered, family friendly beach has easy access with great facilities. The award winning seafood restaurant, The Porthminster Café, serves breakfast, lunch and dinner as well as having a takeaway service right on the beach, perfect if you forgot to pack a picnic!

Awards: Blue Flag & Trip Advisor Travellers Choice.

Lifeguard Service: Daily from 19 May to 30 September.

Parking: Parking close to the beach (Warning: it fills up quick)

Dogs: Seasonal ban from Easter to the 1^st October.

Toilets: Yes. 

Porthgwidden

This small, hidden beach is a real Cornish gem. Lying in the nook of the Island this beach is just a few minutes away from our luxury apartments. It’s extremely sheltered, great for kids and has plenty of facilities including beach huts that are available to rent from the council. The wonderful Porthgwidden Café also over looks the beach with a kiosk for coffee and snacks.

Awards: Trip Advisor Certificate of Excellence.

Lifeguard Service: No Lifeguard Cover.

Parking: Parking in the Island car park. (Warning: it fills up quick)

Dogs: Seasonal ban from Easter to the 1^st October.

Toilets: Yes.

Beach towels and wind breaks are provided in every apartment and buckets and spades are available from our wet room. If you need directions to any beaches don’t be afraid to ask, we’re here to help. Stay tuned till next week for part two of our St Ives beach guide.

Onna x  

Fuel for the day...

Early mornings have never been my thing but thanks to the arrival of our beautiful baby girl I have a newfound appreciation of early starts and I’ve fallen in love with St Ives all over again.

Now, don’t get me wrong a lie in would be nice from time to time but I’ve decided to embrace the dark circles, get out nice and early and sample what St Ives’ breakfast menu’s have to offer.

Porthminster Beach Café

Topping my list has to be this beautiful little beach café that you usually have to book weeks in advance. At sunrise however it’s a different story. We arrived at 9.30am on a Saturday morning and had our choice of tables and it really was perfect in every way – the weather, the view, the food and the sleeping baby! I plumped for the free-range poached eggs with a cheeky side order of local sausage and bacon and it was divine. The other half of course went for the full fry-up and without even a smidge of brown sauce left on the plate I’d say it was a winner. Washed down with locally sourced apple juice and freshly squeezed orange juice, it really couldn’t have been better.

Porthmeor Beach Café

Continuing the beach theme (well we are in Cornwall!) we headed to Porthmeor Beach Café. This is somewhere I’ve always wanted to eat but until now simply haven’t gotten around to and breakfast seemed a great place to start. It did not disappoint. Being a sucker for granola, yoghurt and compote I couldn’t resist this when I saw it on the menu and I must say it was one of the best. Hubby built his own brekkie and ordered most items on the menu despite my encouragement to try something a bit different. Again we managed to dine alfresco and the view really is one of my favourites in St Ives and despite the baby being far from asleep she was impeccably behaved and charmed the other diners with her cuteness.

Hub, St Ives

Being massive fans of The Hub for lunchtime and evening food we decided to give this harbour front hang-out a go for breakfast. The breakfast menu itself is fairly simple but what they do, they do well. This time around we decided to share a stack of pancakes with summer berries & maple syrup and a ‘Pig me up’. Both delicious but the pancakes were a definite hit for me. Whilst the weather wasn’t quite so kind on this breakfast outing the cosy booths and décor create an American style diner feel which is a refreshing change for St Ives.

There are a few more breakfast outings planned this summer so if I come across any other gems I’ll let you know.

Kelly x

St Ives self-catering days out...

Here at the Sail Lofts we recently updated our luxurious self-catering apartments in St Ives with the stunning addition of Cornwall based Atlantic Blanket's woolen throws, with their bold colours and subtle textile designs they add a level of comfort and practicality into each of our Cornish cottages, creating a truly authentic feel.  As there is nothing better after a long day in Summer spent on the beach than returning to your apartment to warm cold knees snuggling into a familiar cosy Atlantic Blanket...

Atlantic Blankets formed in 2007, when in need of a blanket to comfort a little girl suffering a miserable bout of the spotty pox. Knowing exactly the kind of blanket needed to help her feel better...the silky feel of a much-loved brushed mohair throw that possessed magical curative powers of cosiness! 

Growing up in Cornwall we always had our trusty picnic blanket stored away in the car boot, ready for any impromptu visit to the beach, hikes across the headlands, keeping warm around an evening campfire or even to just snuggle with for a long car journey. Our own tartan family blanket has seen better days, however still resides (slightly patched) on the back seat of our family car.

Atlantic Blankets seasonal collections and designs change from stripes to arans, to herringbone and checks, meaning there is always the perfect colour and design to match and warm every interior. The latest Bloom Collection sings of fresh spring colours and warm peaches, a perfect accompaniment to any and every family picnic on Porthmeor or any of the surrounding St Ives beaches, they have even designed leather straps for ease of carrying for when you are out and about on your travels.

Our favourite is the Green Picnic Blanket with its waterproof backing, ideal for avoiding soggy bottoms and sandwiches. We also recommend checking out the Atlantic Blanket blog to see their top 5 picnic spot recommendations here in Cornwall, so on your next self-catering holiday in St Ives there are some great ideas of places to visit in and around the area, Tehidy Woods and its coastal walks are amongst some of The Sail Loft teams favourite weekend haunts. 

Katy x

To see more head over to the Atlantic Blankets website...

Check last minute availability for self-catering in St Ives in May...

sail loft guide: flag safety

With the Summer season kicking off in St Ives and a few of our self catering holiday guests bravely taking to the sea, we felt it would be a great time to brush up on our beach safety knowledge by testing ourselves on the different flags that we can see on Porthmeor and the surrounding St Ives beaches...

Staying safe and respecting the sea is key when having a trouble free and fun day at the beach, so remember to always spot the local lifeguard and make sure you keep them in sight whilst enjoying the sea and to stay between the yellow and red flags when swimming, body boarding and using inflatables and never risk a dip when a red flag is flying.

All our self catering guests will find a stock of body boards, buckets and spades to borrow in the wet room and as a suggestion we recommend a surfing lesson with the brilliant team at the award winning St Ives Surf School, where Sail Lofts guests get 10% off.

To find out more on flags and beach safety please visit the RNLI website for further information...

Katy x