mrVisitor says:
mrVisitor stayed at the fantastic Blue Hayes Hotel. If you use toiletries to gauge a quality hotel, then a Molton Brown sighting will likely mean you are in for a treat. But the Blue Hayes isn’t all about staying in your bathroom, although they are all superb, with shower jets and all the bells and whistles, the toiletries are just one indication that here luxury, comfort, and attention to detail are taken very seriously.

Proprietor Malcolm Herring bought this 1920s house above Porthminster Beach in 2000 and converted it from a 12-bedroom hotel to a 6-suite hotel, essentially doubling the size of each room. The hotel reopened in March 2003 after a complete overhaul. Since then there have been awards, world class rankings by the national press, stars and diamonds, and all the other things that indicate a success. These things don’t influence mrVisitor as he prefers to find his own way, get personal recommendations, and mix it up. When he asked around about where he should stay in St. Ives the unanimous answer was • The Blue Hayes. Since the hotel reopened, they have received over 3000 guests, many of whom return time and again. mrV defies you not to enjoy your stay here. First off, it is without a doubt the cleanest hotel he’s ever visited. But then there is the food, the bar, the service, the personalities, the beds, and more. The experience of staying at the Blue Hayes is altogether unique. It is a modernized old fashioned experience, where you can roam around the house, read a book, sit on the terrace, dine • in short, enjoy your holiday without ever having to leave. This is the kind of hotel you would stay at if it was on a roundabout in the middle of the M25 where the hotel is the holiday. It is tranquil and luxurious. The décor is smooth and sleek in cream and blue hues that match the colours of sea and surf down below. Special occasions and corporate events are welcome, even civil wedding ceremonies can be performed here.

There is a restaurant on site which caters to residents only. While St. Ives has a lot to offer in the restaurant department, many guests opt to eat in and enjoy the company of their hosts. In the dining room you are greeted by ‘Hello my darlings’ and a kiss from Elizabeth. She and her sister used to run the dining room at the Porthminster Hotel, where Malcolm had vacationed with his family year after year. When he took over the Blue Hayes, she came out of retirement to take up position as queen of the dining room. She has been charming guests ever since. Over dinner, hotel guests make new friends and they dive in to their fine dining, prepared fresh by the Blue Hayes chefs. Elizabeth is also on hand in the bar after dinner to regale you with stories of 70 years in St. Ives. She is proof that the Fountain of Youth is located somewhere on the Lands End Peninsula. Both the restaurant and bar open on to the terrace, which overlooks the bay.

The Blue Hayes backs on to the coastal path, providing easy access in to the town. With the proliferation of restaurants in St. Ives, there was a definite need for a hotel that matched the quality of the dining experiences on offer in the village down below.