A luxury self-catering Pancake Day…

There has got to be nothing more frustrating on a holiday than booking a self catering property and then finding that the kitchen is not up to scratch for cooking in, defeating the purposing of going self-catered and ending up eating out every night of the week. We are by no means suggesting a self-catering stay should be about being tied to the stove, but home the comforts of being able to are always more than welcome on our own family holidays...

So we decided to put our luxury self-catering apartments in Cornwall kitchen's to the test and fry ourselves up a few delectable flip-able pancakes. Starting off with the freshest ingredients I head up the stairs into the self-catering apartment Beach, a wonderfully spacious three-bedroom property with an open plan living, dining and kitchen on the top floor, with loft style open beams and Velux windows, where the St Ives light floods the room.

Depositing all ingredients on to the generous central island in the kitchen I set about locating a frying pan, where upon I found a plethora of different sizes, shapes and depth frying pans, pots, casserole dishes and baking trays. From this collection I selected the perfectly formed frying pan with a slight slope; ideal for flipping pancakes with.

Electric hob on, pan settled, I portioned off a small sliver of Trewithen butter to prime the pan, and then came the whisking of the batter, once again I was spoilt for choice in selecting the right bowl and a whisk was already waiting within grabbing distance, poking up out of the aptly marked utensils pot.

All in all a success, and as I sip my freshly drawn Nespresso and sit back to enjoy the five star surroundings my mind starts to wonder what other delicious morsels could be cooked up in this exquisite kitchen after a wonderful afternoon stroll on Porthmeor beach which sits on the doorstep to the luxury self-catering apartment in Cornwall, St Ives.

Tempted to book a luxury self-catering stay in Cornwall with the Sail Lofts, St Ives? Call the friendly team on 01736 799175 or by email at info@thesaillofts.co.uk. We look forward to hearing from you…

Katy x

Feast Day St Ives...

Spring has arrived, summer too; it must have, on February 8^th we celebrate St Ives Feast and the ‘hurling of the silver ball’. Every year I feel Feast Day means winter is over...

It’s also a ‘day off’ for the town and local schools (try to stop us Nicky Morgan!), and a chance to join in some very old and established traditions. Feast Day actually remembers the anniversary of the consecration of the Parish Church of St Ia in 1434 and includes said Hurling of the Silver Ball, one of Cornwall's oldest customs dating back at least a thousand years. No one quite knows why, but it involves the Mayor standing on the wall of St Ia Church, facing out-to-sea, and at 10.30am chucking a tennis-sized ball made of apple wood coated in silver leaf into the crowd of mostly young people (traditionally the 'countrymen' and 'townsmen' of the parishes) who have usually organised themselves into teams on Lambeth Walk beach. Whoever returns the ball to the Mayor on the steps of St Ives Guildhall on the stroke of midday receives a silver coin. 

A friend of my sons caught it a couple of years ago, and as the tide was in, decided to swim towards Hayle with it in his pocket. Sadly, he only got round the head of the West Pier because of the high swell and as he came out of the water outside the Hub, was ‘overpowered’ by the gang from Ayr, so went for a drink instead. You get the idea ….

There’s also a blessing of the Venton Ia Well on Porthmeor, originally the main and only fresh water supply for Downalong, and a wonderful Mayor’s lunch in the Guildhall (yes, pasties).

I love the whole day, right through to the Feast rugby match between St Ives RFC and Cornwall Clubs, which the Mayor will kick-off (last year her shoe flew off as well, and she was ‘assisted’ from the field in one stiletto, but that may have been the sherry).

If you have the time, it will have to be next year now, and have an early Spring break in mind, why not come and stay at The Sail Lofts to coincide with St Ives Feast Day itself … just so you can plan, it’s always on the first Monday after February 3^rd. Takes a moment, doesn’t it …

To book a luxury apartment in Cornwall for the festivities call the friendly Sail Lofts team on 01736 799175.

Peter x

A Cornish Life...

Many of our guests at the Sail Lofts luxury apartments in Cornwall take a keen interest in what us locals like to do and where we go when we have free time to roam around the County we call home, so I thought it best to create a short list of our top picks of things to do in Cornwall…

1. Breakfast

No Sunday morning is complete without a refreshing cliff top walk or meander along the coastal paths around the St Ives Bay. My favourite spot is to start off in the National Trust car park at Godrevy and then take in the sights by walking west to peek at the slumbering seals in the cove at the top of the walk, and then to slowly sidle back down into the coffee shop at the bottom of the hill. One of us will always pop in and grab the table on the top deck whilst the other goes and orders breakfast. Whatever the weather this is an amazing position for taking in the local scenery and wildlife, and the breakfast is a great way to start a Sunday adventure. Why not check it out on your next stay in one of our luxury self-catering apartments in Cornwall.

2. Truro

Cornwall’s capital is one of my favourite places to be, the quiet streets and hidden alleys are worth trawling for its array of boutique shops and high-street brands, not to mention wonderful independent coffee shops and bakeries. If you are a keen art lover and enjoy a spot of painting the city is home to one of England's premier art supplies shops; Truro Arts Company where it is a delight to peruse the aisles for its wealth of wonderful and inspiring stock of watercolour and oil paints.

I always insist on a pit stop in Archie Browns a health food shop on the fringe of the city. The Archie Browns cafe and deli makes the best salads, light bites and coffee’s around.

For more inspiration on top tips from locals in the county why not check out Anna’s The Cornish Life blog. Anna showcases a wealth of wonderful things to do in and around Cornwall that you could be experiencing during your own self-catering holiday. Watch out for Anna’s French Bulldog Pepper, she features throughout the blog and provides plenty of inspiration for our guests making use of the Sail Lofts luxury dog-friendly accommodation in St Ives with their own four-legged friend.

To find out more about booking a luxury stay in Cornwall please contact the Sail Lofts team in the office on 01736 799175, the friendly team can advise on luxury accommodation in Cornwall along with local activities, festivals, and sightseeing opportunities. We look forward to hearing from you soon.

Katy x 

Feast on food, art and culture in St Ives

With 2016 well under way and spring within touching distance, we can feel the all too familiar bubbles of excitement building for the year ahead. St Ives is a beautiful place to visit at any time of year but if you like to satisfy your inner culture vulture whilst travelling, why not coincide your holiday with one of our favourite festivals? There is certainly plenty to choose from…

St Ives Literature Festival

Saturday 14^th – Saturday 21^st May

If you’re a wordsmith at heart then we highly recommend a visit to St Ives during the literature festival. Packed with events celebrating the written word there is a busy schedule of events taking place across the town from open-air poetry readings and comedy to book launches and live music. Just around the corner in Norway Square you can listen to live music and poetry readings every day (for free) and if you have always flirted with the idea of penning your own work, there are a range of drop-in workshops to get you started.

If a luxury literature break sounds like your cup of tea, take a look at the remaining availability in our luxury self-catering apartments in Cornwall here.

St Ives Food and Drink Festival

Saturday 15^th & Sunday 15^th May

St Ives Food and Drink Festival celebrates some of the regions finest producers, chefs and local food on Porthminster Beach. The weekend plays hosts to a number of talented local chefs who will be showcasing their culinary skills with some fabulous cookery demonstrations, rumour has it there may even be a few well known chef’s also paying a visit to the cookery stage! There will also be a live music stage to really add that festival flavour and if you’re feeling a bit peckish you’ll be spoilt for choice with the range of food stalls offering street food style catering. The producers market will be bigger and better this year so have a wander and try a few nibbles for free.

If the foodie vibe floats your boat we have put together a special package for the festival weekend, find out more here.

St Ives September Festival

10^th – 24^th September

One of our favourites and most certainly a highlight of the year, St Ives September Festival is a cultural feast offering two weeks of live music, art, performance and exhibitions across a huge number of venues in the town. With something for everyone this festival is hugely diverse and spans all genres from world music, folk and jazz to name just a few. The headline acts are beginning to trickle through and so far the confirmed names include ‘Rick Wakeman’, ‘Baka Beyond’ and ‘Sound of the Sirens’. The majority of events are ticketed but you’ll also find lots of quirky street artists on hand to provide lots of free entertainment throughout the festival.

If getting knee deep in culture has your pulse racing checkout our remaining availability for the festival weeks here.

Kelly x

Luxury accommodation in Cornwall...

There is never a better feeling than knowing that you are in store for one amazing holiday even before you step off your front door step and venture in to the unknown…

Time on holiday is precious and there is nothing worse than time spent away from work being wasted. Whether it’s the weather causing you grief, traumatising tail backs on the motorways or just your holiday accommodation not being up to scratch, all these little things can affect what should be time spent creating timeless memories with loved ones.

Here at the Sail Lofts luxury self catering accommodation in Cornwall we offer an onsite concierge service to put your mind at ease, with top tips on how to beat the traffic, fun ideas for the whole family on what to do if the weather is less than perfect, or even just being on hand to make sure your stay in one of our five star luxury apartments in St Ives is the best it can be.

Over the 8-year history the Sail Lofts concierge team have made piano’s appear in apartments for family’s with important pending recitals, emergency novelty birthday cakes appear at just a days notice, and booked countless taxi’s for guests to get out and about visiting the county.

The Sail Lofts team have a broad knowledge base of the county’s hotspots, tourist attractions, cliff top walks, and local eateries, they are on hand to make your holiday one to remember and to be to be there should anything unexpected happen.

Award winning luxury accommodation in Cornwall

With a large proportion of returning guests coming back year after the year the Sail Lofts award winning formula has won itself countless five star reviews with a focus on its ‘helpful staff’ and ‘fantastic accommodation’.

So why not book your very own luxury accommodation in Cornwall for your next family holiday and put yourself in the safe hands of the Sail Lofts team in St Ives. The Sail Lofts team are on hand Monday to Friday between 9am and 5pm and on Saturday’s between 11am and 1pm and easy to contact on 01736 799175 or alternatively by email on info@thesaillofts.co.uk.

Katy x

Find luxury accommodation in Cornwall

Staying in Cornwall...

With the Christmas break well and truly over and now a distant memory, my mind is racing with opportunities to make the most out of this beautiful county in 2016 that I am lucky enough to call home by booking my very own stay-cation…

Just because some of us are fortunate enough to live in one of the world's most desirable holiday destinations doesn’t mean we make enough time to get out there and enjoy its miles of golden sandy beaches, breathtaking coastal walks, stunning quintessentially British villages and harbours, or take in the diversity of nature that calls this south-west pinnacle home.

Walking in Cornwall

Striding out of the Sail Lofts luxury accommodation in Cornwall located in St Ives you can head in either direction along the coast path and you will find two incredibly varied landscapes. Head east and you will find yourself walking the St Ives bay round into Lelant and along to Godrevy Lighthouse, where you can find hidden coves with slumbering seals, and miles of golden sand dunes.

Eating in Cornwall

Cornwall’s restaurants are amongst some of the best in Britain for producing some of the freshest dishes with produce harvested within the county grown in most cases just down the road and with fish caught straight out of the sea in the morning and on your plate in the afternoon. You cannot beat the taste of seasonal, fresh food. St Ives has a wealth of such award-winning restaurants, all within a short stroll of the Sail lofts luxury apartments in Cornwall.

Attractions in Cornwall

Falmouth is a bustling commercial fishing town, home to one of the deepest natural harbours in the world and renown Arts University, which is currently ranked within the Top 3 Arts University’s in the country. The town has a host of wonderful shops, traditional Ale taverns, museums and art galleries. For instance the Falmouth Art Gallery, open all year houses a vast collection of modern and traditional Cornish artists including the likes of Henry Scott Tuke and Charles Napier Hemy, both of which made the town home during some of their most active years of painting.

In contrast marking the town's maritime heritage is the National Maritime Museum with interactive displays introducing you to the legacy of Viking Norse men and women along with a reconstruction of a Viking boatyard complete with six metre long Viking boat.

To find out more about luxury accommodation in Cornwall or things to do out and about around the county get in touch with our friendly team at the Sail Lofts luxury accommodation in St Ives Cornwall on 01736 799 175, alternatively, use the link below to view accommodation.

Katy x

Find luxury accommodation in Cornwall

Find luxury apartments in Cornwall…

Whilst searching the internet for your next holiday you may find that it can be hard to make a decision on when and where to go, and which type of accommodation to choose. The Sail Lofts luxury apartments in Cornwall can make this decision easy… 

Why choose a luxury apartment in Cornwall?

Cornwall has a diverse and mixed landscape surrounded by the sea. With its vibrant arts culture and burgeoning industries that have resulted in the county being ranked within the top 5 most desirable and searched for holiday destinations to visit in the world. 

If that is not reason enough to head west, let's now consider travel, the crux of holiday stress. Cornwall has never been so well connected, accessible by train, planes and cars the county is now accessible from London in less than 4 hours, not to mention by car in roughly 4.5 hours, and by plane in only 2.

Arriving by plane brings you straight into the heart of Cornwall, landing at Newquay Airport where you can hire a car to roam around the beautiful coastline, visiting the countless attractions and breathtaking hot spots.

If train suits you best you can travel directly on most lines all the way to the tippy toe of Cornwall, with only one change in St Erth to jump onto the branch line into St Ives itself. The branch line into St Ives is worth a trip, even if you are travelling by car, it is a spectacular journey that hugs the coast looking out across the St Ives Bay and makes a great way to discover St Ives, the train swings around the coast and St Ives comes into view in the distance.

The Sail Lofts offers luxury apartments in Cornwall, located in St Ives, a destination renown for its local scenery, restaurants and shops. Not forgetting its multitude of award winning golden sandy beaches.

To book a luxury apartment in Cornwall please call the Sail Lofts team in the office on 01736 799175 and they will be happy to help, the team will be able to advise on the best times of the year to visit the county or even things to do in and around Cornwall during your holiday or alternatively view availability for luxury apartments in Cornwall.

Katy x