With a slight winter crisp in the air, rain forecasted and a full weekend ahead, what to do was the main question on our lips. A quaint retreat to the Cornish coastline was the answer.

After a lot of deliberation and trawling through websites and reviews, we thank fully stumbled upon The Garrack Hotel and Restaurant.

An Ivy-clad hotel perched on the St Ives hillside with views across the entire bay. A very fortunate find for us as the service and relaxing ambience that was to follow could not be beaten.

Arriving at the hotel, we (carefully) drove down the private lane to the car park, the entrance adorned with flora and fauna was welcoming and cute, reminding me of childhood stories such as the secret garden, it was truly idyllic.

The reception we received from Stephen, one of the Kilby family members who have owned the hotel for nearly 50 years, was second to none. His genuine friendliness shone through as he explained the hotels facilities as he walked us to our room. The room it-self, was perfectly formed and had everything we needed to ensure a very pleasant, if not luxurious stay with them. Not to mention the view: - which couldn’t resemble a postcard better if it tried!
After unpacking, and acquainting ourselves with the room and its facilities we had a general wander around, finding the separately purpose built swimming pool building which boasted a Jacuzzi, sauna, gym area and even a bar and cafe. Not what was expected and put an even bigger smile on our faces.

We then slowly meandered our way in to St Ives through the windy fishing village lanes and in and out of galleries and shops along the way. A call in to one of the local tea rooms for a little snack and cuppa to keep the energy up, we then took a slow ascent back up to the hotel to take full advantage of the facilities. After a relaxing swim, we sat in the pool area and had a couple of drinks before taking our selves back to our room to get ready for Dinner.

The staff within the restaurant can only be described as some of the most pleasant and attentive I have ever known. Their attention to detail was fantastic. The menu, which had just the right amount of choice, ensuring us that every dish is not only freshly prepared but is also unique, locally sourced and all looking so perfect, making the choice a difficult thing to do! But we did and on to the food, well, where do I start? Apart from that the tables, which were already topped with Olives, fresh bread, olive oil and balsamic...With the starters I guess! I’d plumped for their chicken liver pate which was homemade and came with delicious onion marmalade, where as, my partner opted for the Scallops, of which she’d never tried before. I am a big fan of scallops and having to have them cooked ‘just so’ is a must, these did not disappoint!

Relaxed and left wanting for more, we moved on to the mains. We had both chosen their Duck option, which again, was not going to disappoint. Slowly roasted to ensure a melt in the mouth result, but the skin still crisped to perfection...yum! The accompanying dishes couldn’t enhance the duck, but only add to the existing flavours and did exactly that. Leaving nothing but a feeling of satisfaction and complete awe for the chef, who had obviously spent a lot of time getting the duck to the perfect tenderness and combining the accompanying flavours that made a classic dish simply out of this World.

After this amount of food, most people would possibly surrender and not even look at the dessert menu, but oh no, one cheeseboard later, and what a cheeseboard it was, I’d normally have that size portion in my fridge to last me a week! Whilst my partner dived in to a rich, sumptuous chocolate dessert with a side of Cornish ice cream, a real winner for the ladies. Full to the brim and not even space for a wafer thin mint, we decided to cosy up next to their open fire and enjoy each other’s company over a couple of malt whiskeys and great conversation.

Returning to our room to get a great nights rest in preparation for yet another day of sightseeing, but this time of the indoors variety as the weather had changed for the worse. We took a last swim, filled ourselves on their fantastic full English breakfast, drank more tea than you could drown a man in and on to gather our bags and check out.

On departure we made our thanks to Stephen and family, leaving with fond memories and all intentions of returning again very soon.

We had taken advantage of their 'winter special' dinner, bed and breakfast offer which made it very good value for money. However, we would happily return during high season and pay full rate as they really do look after us that well.

For a family run hotel in a very competitive market, they have not only excelled themselves, but gone far and above the call of duty to ensure they maintain a very high standard. One that I know you will not be disappointed at. Call them now, book in, try for your-self. You will not regret it!