Let it snow let it snow let it snow

Unusually Cornwall has received a little bit of snow again this year - not as much as the East and the North but quite a lot for Cornwall! Here are a few pictures and photo's from the past week...

Don't forget if you have any images of the snow in Cornwall you would like to share post them on our Flickr or Facebook page. 


We have a selection of apartments available at the moment at special rates, do contact us or visit our last minute page for the latest offers.

Autumn in St Ives

The middle of November has arrived quickly but autumn has undoubtedly arrived (possibly even winter?) as the leaves turn golden and the sea whips up large swells. The town has quietened and the opportunity to really explore St Ives and the surrounding area has arrived.

For the surfers amongst us, there has been no shortage of swells for the last few weeks although the winds have been very strong. The south coast has lit up a few times and the sheltered spots have been shining with Porthmeor having some great days. The next few days are looking rather nice with lots more swell coming through and the occasional offshore day at the exposed beaches. 

For those of you thinking of going away for Christmas we still have some availability left but bookings are coming in quickly for this period. Likewise for those of you who are considering St Ives for New Year, a great place to see in 2011 particularly for families, we still have some availability but we are receiving a number of enquiries. 

Don't forget to check out our last minute availability for some fantastic deals starting at £199. 

It all makes Skinsence...

We held our first Skinsense evening last night in our Beach apartment which was a relaxed evening hosted by Katie Light from Spiezia Organics and our Ocean Spa therapists. When everyone arrived and enjoyed their glass of bubbly and nibbles, the evening began with Katie talking about the importance of organic products and general wellbeing.  

The ladies were asked what they wanted to know about skin care, we had great feedback and were grateful for the opportunity to have helped and offer advice on a subject close to our hearts. The main purpose of the evening was to demonstrate what should be used on your skin and how. Some tried the Spiezia products on their face whilst others with makeup on tested the products on their hands. The feedback on the smell and quality of the products was excellent.

We finished the evening with a talk on the different treatments that we offer in the spa. The top treatments that our guests were most interested in and curious about were the Relax and Rejuvenate Facial, Thermal Basalt Stone Massage and Cornish Algae Wrap. We look forward to seeing them in the future. 

If you are interested in learning more about your skin type and the best ways to take care of it, contact us to register your interest in our next event. 

Sail Lofts | Ocean Spa video

After being approached by Light Circus about creating a video for our new spa we thought it was a brilliant idea. A month or so later with the balmy September sun, models arranged and some great sunsets Mark and Greg shot the video. 

Let us know what you think... 

Skinsence

Sail Lofts Ocean Spa have teamed together with Spiezia Organics to invite you and your friends to a complimentary skin care evening held in one of our apartments on Wednesday 3rd November between 7-9pm.


The evening is going to give you an insight into a five step homecare routine to help get the best from your skin. It will be a relaxed affair with wine and nibbles with the opportunity to find out more about your skin type, products to use, consultations and to allow you to ask any questions you may have. 


Everyone who attends will receive 25% off their first treatment at the spa, and a lucky winner receives a goody bag and a 30 minute massage voucher. 


For further information contact the spa on 01736 448 545 or info@sailloftsoceanspa.co.uk 

Cornwall Tourism Awards 2010

Suited and booted we made the trip up to St Mellion at the other end of Cornwall in the Mini. Surprised by how many people were there we settled ourselves in and started chatting away, when we started hearing rumours about an 'email' - we hadn't received an 'email'; and were a bit concerned and baffled by it.

Malcom Bell, Head of Tourism at Visit Cornwall, in his opening speech once again started apologising for this 'email' and our concerns heightened and hearts sank as we thought the worst! We then found out that all the winners had received an email by accident the day before, but we hadn't picked one up!

The awards carried on and when it came to the large self catering award we didn't get bronze or silver and we really started to get quite concerned, but lo and behold we won - a brilliant surprise!

We were probably the only ones in the room who didn't know they had won! But it was actually a great surprise and we are thrilled to have won this award in only our second year of trading. Thanks to all who helped us get this far including but not restricted to: the staff, the housekeeping team, Joseph (the wonderful interior designer), Dave (Digga) and Max. 

We would also like to congratulate some friends of The Sail Lofts who did very well at the awards as well: Boskerris Hotel, Global Boarders, Treasure Trails and The Porthminster Cafe.

St Ives September Festival

We are pleased to be supporting the St Ives September Festival 2010 which is set to be a great week of music, art, theatre and events. The Guildhall will once again be hosting the majority of the music with St Ives Parish church acting as a secondary venue.

Some highlights of the festival this year include:

Guildhall

Battle of the Bands - 13th 7:30pm £7.50 presented by Every Child Matters.

Eddi Reader - 14th 8:30pm £20 Eddi Reader is a Scottish singer known both for her work with Fairground Attraction and for an enduring solo career. 

Atlan - 15th 8:30pm £20 Atlan emerged during the 1990s as one of Ireland's premier traditional bands. 

Donavan - Thursday 16th 8:30pm SOLD OUT The 1960s folk singer/songwriter Donavan is coming to St Ives. With support from Kirsty McGee. 

The Imagined Village - Friday 17th 8:30pm £25 A popular live show featured at lots of festivals around the UK and Europe. 

Paco Pena - Saturday 18th 8:30pm £20 Flamenco guitar at its best.

Kila - Sunday 19th 8:30pm £20 A superb Irish folk/world music band.

The Fishermans Friends - Monday 20th 8pm SOLD OUT.  An array of sea shanties.

Mousehole Male Voice Choir - Wednesday 22nd 8pm £7.50 The choir has an impressive repertoire and have toured across the world.

Robin Trower Band and Hamsters - Thursday 23rd 8:30pm £20

The Beat and John Otway - Friday 24th 8:30pm £15 The Beat fuse ska, pop, reggae, punk rock and soul with special guest John Otway. 

For Those About To Rock - Saturday 25th 8pm £16 The UK's leading high energy rock show featuring Live Wire, ACDC, and Limehouse Lizzy. 

St Ives Art Club (Our pick) 

Edgar Macias Quintet Tuesday 21st 8:30pm £12 A five piece band that combines different jazz styles and rhythms from funk to South American. 

Ken Nicol and Phil Cool Saturday 25th 8:30pm £12 adv. Phil Cool, comedian and impressionist teams up with Ken Nicol guitar virtuoso of Steeleye Span to produce a two hour show full of music and laughs. 

Arts and Literature (Our Pick) 

Bernard Leach - open daily 10am to 4:30pm

Tom Cross Retrospective - Open Monday to Saturday 10am - 6pm at Belgrave Gallery. 

Kiln Opening - Sunday 19th, Leach Pottery 12-2pm. 

Late at Tate St Ives - Friday 24th Tate St Ives. 7pm-9pm A chance to visit the current exhibitions for free. 

Workshops (Our Pick)

Feltmaking - Friday 17th, St Ives Library. With local Jo McIntosh, all ages welcome and materials provided. £5. 

Drop-in Beginners' Oil Painting 14th and 21st Starting with some basic colour theory and colour mixing exercises, this an ideal introduction to this popular medium. 

Films (Our Pick)

Toy Story - Saturday 18th 4pm St Ives Art Club. £3

Hairspray - Saturday 18th, Porthmeor Beach, 8:15 Tate St Ives presents a unique screening on the beach of this cult family classic.