Do you love surfing with children? You’ll love the Esplanade Hotel in Newquay.

  • The Inspector pays £255 for dinner on a Saturday night, bed and breakfast
  • He loves to eat at Cove, the hotel restaurant where he believes prices are reasonable. 
  • Keep in mind that the Inspector does his job and says it like it really is










On a dark Sunday morning, surfers were out force. The cloud is so low that it’s hard to distinguish between sea and sky — but the swell is impressive and clearly inviting for those who love nothing more than catching a wave.

‘My husband’s out there somewhere,’ says our tanned and bubbly waitress at breakfast. Malibu would be a great place for her. But Newquay is far more interesting than that moneyed Californian honey-pot — and right now North Cornwall is on a roll, its reputation growing as an all-year holiday destination. This is why every room at The Esplanade overlooking Fistral Beach, ends November, has been taken.

But don’t come here as a couple looking for a quiet romantic break. Children have a blast here. There is even a soft play area beside the open-plan bar and restaurant, plus table football — and there’s a cinema and indoor pool, too.

One of the rooms at the Esplanade hotel in Newquay. The Inspector finds that there's a 'surfing theme' to his room

One of the Esplanade rooms in Newquay. According to Inspector, there is a “surfing theme” in his room.

The hotel overlooks the famous Fistral Beach (pictured) and guests pay extra for rooms with a sea view

The hotel overlooks the famous Fistral Beach (pictured) and guests pay extra for rooms with a sea view

For rooms with sea views, you pay more. We are paying £255 for dinner on a Saturday night, bed and breakfast. There’s a surfing theme to the room, with a long wooden headboard and artwork showing boisterous seas spilling onto sandy beaches.

The sound of the little ones jumping from their beds suggests there must be another family room. No complaints from us — the website makes clear the emphasis is on families. 

If you’re looking for adults-only, then The Esplanade’s sister hotel, the Fistral Beach, a couple of hundred yards along the coast, is the answer. We’re relieved to learn that Elements has an adults-only bar, and it opens at 7pm. It opens at 7:03pm.

Pictured is the hotel's Cove restaurant, where wines are served by the carafe as well as by bottle or glass

Pictured is the hotel’s Cove restaurant, where wines are served by the carafe as well as by bottle or glass

The exterior of the Esplanade. The Inspector says that the hotel is 'awash with children having the time of their lives'

Exterior of Esplanade. According to the Inspector, the Esplanade is “awash” with kids having the best time of their life.

Pictured is the harbour in Newquay, which is becoming an 'all-year holiday destination', according to the Inspector

This is Newquay’s harbour. It is becoming an “all-year tourist destination”, according to Inspector. 

Children running wild at Cove Restaurant is the best part of dinner. ‘Eat some more of your chips and then you can . . .’ says one mother, but before she can finish her sentence the two sprogs in her charge have raced off.

We enjoy our pan-fried cod and pork belly — and wines are served by the carafe as well as by bottle or glass. The prices are reasonable, with burgers starting at £17 and pizzas £13.

Quiksilver’s Surf School is housed in this hotel. Hotel guests receive an exclusive rate. So if you have children and also love surfing, you won’t go wrong here. In fact, you’ll have a ball.  

Travel Facts 

The Esplanade Road and Esplanade Road are located in Newquay (Cornwall), TR7 1PS.

For more information call 01637 873333, or visit esplanadehotelnewquay.co.uk.

Prices for double rooms start from £120.

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