Tripplo's verdict, based on guest reviews
Tripplo’s analysis · Updated 2 October 2026 · How we review hotels
Bodmin Jail Hotel is for travellers who want the building to be part of the trip. The old jail in Bodmin has been converted with care, so stone walls and cell features stay visible while the rooms feel modern, spacious and comfortable. Guests speak warmly about the staff and above all about breakfast, and the central location makes it an easy base for exploring Cornwall by car, with free parking on site and the Eden Project 17 km away. The trade-offs are about cost and surroundings. Food and drinks in the restaurant and bar are priced high, the evening menu is fine dining only, and Bodmin offers little to do once the day is done. Busy mealtimes can bring a wait. Couples and touring drivers who want character and comfort will be well looked after; anyone set on a sea view or a lively evening should look to the coast.
Guests score it 9.1 out of 10 — the average across the 9 hotels we list in Cornwall is 9.0.
What Guests Loved
- Guests keep returning to the building itself: the conversion leaves the old stone walls and features exposed, and small touches such as notes about the prisoners once held in your cell make the history part of the stay rather than a backdrop.
- Rooms are described as spacious, immaculately clean and very comfortable, with good beds and bathrooms that several guests call luxurious, often with a powerful rain shower.
Things to Consider
- The most common reservation is cost: several guests found food and drink in the restaurant and bar expensive, and some felt the room rate was on the high side too.
- The evening menu is fine dining only and the bar food is limited, while guests note that the immediate area offers few pubs or other things to do once the day is over.
Should you book it?
Bodmin Jail Hotel is worth booking for couples looking for a stay with real character — but pick somewhere else if you want to wake up by the sea.
Book it if you want
- Couples looking for a stay with real character
- Drivers using central Cornwall as a base for day trips
Pick somewhere else if
- You want to wake up by the sea
- You want pubs and nightlife within walking distance
Frequently asked questions
How far is Bodmin Jail Hotel from the centre of Cornwall?
Bodmin Jail Hotel is 25 km from the centre of Cornwall.
How do guests rate Bodmin Jail Hotel?
On Booking.com it scores 9.1/10 from 2,083 guest reviews.
How many stars does Bodmin Jail Hotel have?
Bodmin Jail Hotel is a 4-star hotel.
What amenities does Bodmin Jail Hotel offer?
Bodmin Jail Hotel offers historic Building, restaurant, bar, fitness Centre, sun Terrace and air Conditioning.
Weather & sea temperature — Cornwall
Right now: 14° air · 18° sea
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Scarlett's Well Road, Bodmin, PL31 2PL, United Kingdom