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Reviews of The Idle Rocks 4 stars

Harbourside, Saint Mawes, TR2 5AN, United Kingdom

#3 of 17 hotels in Saint Mawes

Guests' Choice

Review score

Based on 142 hotel reviews

8.9

Score breakdown

  • Cleanliness

    9.6

  • Comfort

    9.6

  • Location

    9.8

  • Facilities

    9.1

  • Staff

    9.0

  • Value for money

    8.0

  • Free WiFi

    10.0

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Showing 1 – 25

  • Reviewed: 4 September 2025

    9.0
    Boutique hotel overlooking St Mawes harbour. Expensive but perfect for upmarket couples/friends
    • Leisure trip
    • Family with young children
    • Deluxe Double Room with Sea View
    • Stayed 2 nights

    Just a few details that didn't ruin the trip but were not expected. No valet parking as advertised. I tried and failed to get the TV to work both nights. As this was typically late at night there was no-one there who could help practically so we gave up. No details in the room how to use the internal phone. I had to call reception from my mobile phone to find out. These are all 'first world' issues so I didn't make a fuss but you don't expect this at the price of the rooms. We didn't eat there, partially because of the 'foody' menu and prices but I am sure those who like michelin quality food would be happy. We had family staying over the road in a local pub/restaurant which was more suited to family meals.

    One of the best hotels in Cornwall and certainly the best in the Falmouth area. St Mawes is a pretty old fishing village that has been quite gentrified, probably lead by the hotel. This is my second visit and we really enjoyed our 2 night stay. The rooms are stylishly decorated as is the rest of both the internal and external decor. There was private parking within 50m and the service is what you would expect from a 5 star Michelin rated and Relais & Chateau hotel. The location and the views from the rooms and the restaurant/terrace area are spectacular.

    Stayed in September 2025

  • Reviewed: 29 August 2025

    9.0
    Fantastic location and food for a short-stay right on the water front in St Mawes
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Deluxe Suite with Sea View
    • Stayed 2 nights

    We used the hotels EV chargers, and I have never paid so much as I did here - £1.20/kWh! There are no other choices in St Mawes, so if you have to charge, you have to stomach the price gouging that is going on here. The charger is also slow, a shared 7kW AC charger, with 2 type 2 connectors, so if someone else is charging, then you are at 3.5kW. We stayed over August bank holiday, and the weather was warm (low 20s), and the room was quite warm with no draft even with the windows wide open. It would have been nice for air conditioning or at least a fan. This is why I have marked the value and the comfort down.

    Fantastic location right at the heart of St Mawes, directly on the waterfront in the harbour. The food was fantastic. The flowers and furnishings were lovely. The bedroom was spacious (room 3), with a lovely bath and shower overlooking the harbour. They have two paddle boards that we hired for free and used right outside the hotel in the harbour. There’s a hot outdoor shower in the alleyway on the side of the hotel just up from the water. You could swim in the harbour too which was nice (19C sea temperature in August). Free parking in either the main council parking (5 min walk), or the limited space car park 1 min away (with EV charger). Staff very friendly and welcoming.

    Stayed in August 2025

  • Reviewed: 8 August 2025

    10
    Exceptional experience
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Deluxe Double Room with Sea View
    • Stayed 2 nights
    • Submitted via mobile

    Not applicable

    Fantastic location, room was clean and comfortable, staff extremely polite and helpful.

    Stayed in July 2025

  • Reviewed: 29 July 2025

    10
    Brilliant!
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Double Room
    • Stayed 1 night

    Nothing - We had an excellent stay from start to finish

    Beautiful room in gorgeous location with caring staff who know how to make you feel looked after without invading your experience. The restaurant is exceptional as well. Excellent!

    Stayed in July 2025

  • Reviewed: 13 July 2025

    9.0
    You feel taken care of
    • Leisure trip
    • Family with young children
    • Deluxe Double Room with Sea View
    • Stayed 5 nights
    • Submitted via mobile

    The bedrooms were a bit dusty in the wardrobes and around the corners, but that is typical for the British hotels. Even the best 5 star hotels in the countryside have that “lived in” feel. The bathroom was exceptionally clean with the fresh towels every day. The staff would be cleaning the bedroom in the morning and tucking us in in the evening

    The attention by staff - who are really nice and helpful. Particularly the ladies at the reception and Peter at the restaurant. They went above and beyond to make our stay enjoyable and were really helpful with any requests

    Stayed in July 2025

  • Reviewed: 22 June 2025

    10
    Excellent food , comfort , facilities and staff were amazing considering they were understaffed
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Deluxe Double Room with Sea View
    • Stayed 2 nights
    • Submitted via mobile

    Saturday daytime music on the terrace below our sea view bedroom was rather too loud for us and spoilt the pleasure of listening to the sound of the sea which is of course a highlight of this hotel . It also prevented a light afternoon siesta whilst on our holiday ( another special highlight of our hols )

    I had a wonderful aromatherapy therapeutic massage treatment which was very good. Beautiful hotel like a work of art , food amazing , staff were friendly, helpful, keen to help and thoughtful , views were incredible .

    Stayed in June 2025

  • Reviewed: 9 June 2025

    10
    Exceptional
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Double Room
    • Stayed 1 night

    Excellent choice of help yourself supplemented by a list of choice to be prepared by the kitchen

    Stayed in June 2025

  • Reviewed: 14 May 2025

    10
    Perfect place to relax in a beautiful location.
    • Leisure trip
    • Family with young children
    • Deluxe Double Room with Sea View
    • Stayed 3 nights
    • Submitted via mobile

    Not much fresh fruit for breakfast.

    Very good location; excellent and unusual decor;very charming staff.

    Stayed in May 2025

  • Reviewed: 10 May 2025

    8.0
    Very good
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Double Room
    • Stayed 3 nights
    • Submitted via mobile

    De ligging

    Stayed in May 2025

  • Reviewed: 9 May 2025

    10
    Exceptional
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Double Room
    • Stayed 4 nights
    • Submitted via mobile

    Nothing!

    Location and quality

    Stayed in May 2025

  • Reviewed: 2 May 2025

    8.0
    Gorgeous location, very good rooms and food.
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Deluxe Double Room with Sea View
    • Stayed 4 nights

    In total contrast to the other staff, check in was a disappointing and unfriendly experience. This one individual let the rest of the team down.

    Excellent location, nearly all the staff were great, breakfast very good, supper excellent

    Stayed in May 2025

  • Reviewed: 10 March 2025

    10
    Beautiful homely hotel right on the sea front. Room was spacious and the staff were lovely and helpful. Slept with the d
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Small Double Room
    • Stayed 2 nights
    • Submitted via mobile

    Clean, tidy and very homely.

    Stayed in March 2025

  • Reviewed: 19 January 2025

    10
    Wonderful friendly staff relaxed atmosphere
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Deluxe Double Room with Sea View
    • Stayed 1 night
    • Submitted via mobile

    Nothing

    Sea location

    Stayed in January 2025

  • Reviewed: 18 December 2024

    10
    Exceptional
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Deluxe Double Room with Sea View
    • Stayed 2 nights

    Beautiful hotel in an idyllic location on the sea front in a picturesque little town. Staff went above & beyond (especially as I had made an error with booking dates) Room was exceptional and the vibe throughout the hotel was lovely. We had dinner, breakfast and room service and the food and drinks were all top class! The outdoor seating area at the front is a delightful area to sit, eat and drink or just enjoy the view overlooking the harbour. Would love to think we will visit again and would certainly highly recommend.

    Stayed in November 2024

  • Reviewed: 3 December 2024

    10
    Exceptional
    • Leisure trip
    • Group
    • Deluxe Double Room with Sea View
    • Stayed 2 nights

    Fantastic Location, great staff and service

    Stayed in November 2024

  • Reviewed: 20 November 2024

    10
    Luxurious, relaxing and and a totally joyful weekend.
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Deluxe Double Room with Sea View
    • Stayed 2 nights
    • Submitted via mobile

    Nothing-it was a special weekend celebrating our 40th Wedding Anniversary and it lived up to all expectations.

    Breakfast was beyond expectation, it was excellent and beautifully presented.

    Stayed in November 2024

  • Reviewed: 3 November 2024

    10
    Idilyic home from home
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Deluxe Double Room with Sea View
    • Stayed 2 nights
    • Submitted via mobile

    Location was amazing and the luxurious hotel and homely feel to the place.

    Stayed in November 2024

  • Reviewed: 30 October 2024

    9.0
    Idle Rocks a wonderful Hotel that lives up to its reputation.
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Deluxe Double Room with Sea View
    • Stayed 2 nights
    • Submitted via mobile

    Like most parts of Cornwall expect to pay a premium for everything.

    Perfectly situated in St Mawes with views over the harbour and town we had a lovely two nights at the Idle Rocks. Wonderful, friendly and attentive staff we very much felt relaxed and immersed during our short stay. Dinner one night in the excellent restaurant and the other in the equally impressive St Mawes Hotel. Breakfasts were good and plentiful.

    Stayed in October 2024

  • Reviewed: 1 October 2024

    10
    Exceptional, warm and friendly.
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Double Room
    • Stayed 2 nights
    • Submitted via mobile

    That question certainly does not apply.

    A wonderful stay in this beautiful Hotel. Everything exceeded our expectations. Comfortable, stylish and the staff were exceptional as was our lovely room. Thank you everyone you made our stay fabulous.

    Stayed in September 2024

  • Reviewed: 16 September 2024

    9.0
    Fantastic
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Deluxe Double Room with Sea View
    • Stayed 4 nights
    • Submitted via mobile

    Location superb, food excellent and staff helpful and friendly

    Stayed in September 2024

  • Reviewed: 4 September 2024

    9.0
    Great location in the centre of St Mawes. Wonderful and relaxed hotel and setting
    • Leisure trip
    • Family with young children
    • Double Room
    • Stayed 2 nights

    Thought the restaurant was a little over priced for lunch

    Lovely staff, decor, location. Very comfortable and beautifully appointed communal areas and rooms

    Stayed in August 2024

  • Reviewed: 22 August 2024

    9.0
    Superb
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Deluxe Double Room with Sea View
    • Stayed 2 nights
    • Submitted via mobile

    Parking is much to small

    Beautiful setting, lovely atmosphere, very helpful staff. Great breakfast and diner

    Stayed in August 2024

  • Reviewed: 20 August 2024

    9.0
    A real treat, as expensive but a thoroughly fabulous stay and will return. Ambience, food and staff all excellent.
    • Leisure trip
    • Family with young children
    • Deluxe Double Room with Sea View
    • Stayed 2 nights
    • Submitted via mobile

    Great views out to the harbour as hotel on the waterfront. We paid for a sea view, recommend as so worth it. Breakfast extremely good & super relaxing.

    Stayed in August 2024

  • Reviewed: 18 August 2024

    8.0
    Lovely location, friendly staff, comfy beds, amazing views.
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Deluxe Double Room with Sea View
    • Stayed 4 nights
    • Submitted via mobile

    Limited facilities or spaces for guests away from the public

    Location directly on the water

    Stayed in August 2024

Showing 1 – 25

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