Sleepover: Watergate Bay

A bed for the night in Cornwall

The north Cornish coast on the vast expanse of sand that is Watergate Bay. Newquay airport is just a few miles away. On the rugged cliffs, you can gaze out to sea.

The location

The north Cornish coast on the vast expanse of sand that is Watergate Bay. Newquay airport is just a few miles away. On the rugged cliffs, you can gaze out to sea.

The USP

The lifestyle. The beach is everything and the chill-out factor is thriving. The vibe is cool yet child-friendly.

The comfort factor

The rooms are spacious and airy. Many have views of the Atlantic and the atmosphere is big on beach chic. Relaxation is aided by a baby-listening service and supervised evening playrooms for older kids.

The bathrooms

On the small side but, hey, you can bathe in the sea.

The food and drink

Breakfast is ample, if a little functional, but the dinners are superb, especially the fillet steaks. Children have a choice of fried food, pasta or meat and vegetable dishes.

The people

A lot of surfers and beach-types, but quite a few of the older crowd who adore Cornwall and have been coming for years.

The area

Steep cliffs loom over the white sands of the ocean-battered beach. At the Extreme Academy on the beach you can book traction-boarding, kite-boarding, buggying, wave-ski and mountain-boarding sessions. Surfing lessons can be booked through the hotel. I t's also a family place - supervised children's activities include sand castle building, painting, rock-pooling and drama.

The damage

From £43 per person per night b&b. Discounts for children.

The access

The beach is minutes away with no roads to cross. Lifts to all floors but rooms have not been fully adapted for disabled use. Dogs welcome; other pets by arrangement.

The address

Watergate Bay Hotel, Watergate Bay, Cornwall TR8 4AA (01637 860543; www.watergate.co.uk).