door pool, a reed filtered natural swimming pool surrounded by granite, pebbles and decking, the perfect blend of nature and design. Perching next to the outdoor pool, high above the golden beaches below, sat two wood fired hot tubs. These looked gloriously tempting but sadly we weren't warned when we booked that advance reservations were requireed. I did my best not to feel too jealous of the couple sat soaking whilst sipping cocktails. A seaweed soak in the tubs, ably attended by your own 'hot tub host’, is a very reasonable £35 and looks like the perfect way to soothe aching muscles post surf. The spa is a big selling point of The Scarlet and no visit would be complete without sampling one of the Ayurvedic treatments on offer. Designed to restore and revive, guests are encourage to amble down in robes and relax in cocoon like pods between treatments. Following a consultation with a Tri-Dosha qualified practioner, treatments are tailored made to your mind, body, spirit and desire. A hammam, couples suite with double bath and a meditation room complete this quiet temple to the soul. If like me, you like to unwind by thrashing out some tension in the waves, Mawgan Porth is home to a surf school and hire shops. The waves are a short trot down the hotel path, across the near deserted beach and when we stayed in May, there was a mere handful of people out in the Ocean. The surrounding bays and coves are also packed with breaks, though with a short time to enjoy the amenities of the hotel, we preferred to stay close to home.
The chic interior design of The Scarlet continues to the light and airy bedrooms, many with sea views, and huge french doors blurring the boundary between indoors and out. Many rooms have waterfall showers with large sliding doors to access a private terrace or giant roll tops baths to luxuriate and soak in. Our room was one of the 'Just Right' rooms, and it was exactly that, comfortable and unfussy with well thought out touches such as bowls, towels and treats for Bella, our dog who'd accompanied us to review the hotel. Unusually for such a sleek hotel, The Scarlet is dog friendly, and Bella was welcomed by the staff, if not by some of the guests! Pooch parked on the balcony, we headed to the restaurant to dine overlooking the locals still out in the surf. With an emphasis on locally sourced food and a list full of European wines, to minimise air miles, the focus at dinner is thankfully not on detoxifying or dieting like at some spa hotels. Simple, seasonal food was elegantly presented with a minimum of fuss, and we enjoyed delicious locally caught fish whilst gazing out across the glittering bay, soothed by the gentle rolling of the waves. It's impossible to feel stressed at The Scarlet; it's is small piece of heaven on the Cornish coast. It's incredibly important to give your body time to relax, to slow your heart rate, to breath and to treat yourself well. It's impossible to visit without The Scarlet without doing just that, so from now on, I'll be visiting as regularly as possible. Rooms from £190pp / www.thescarlethotel.co.uk