Tripplo's verdict, based on guest reviews
Tripplo’s analysis · Updated 2 October 2026 · How we review hotels
Talland Bay Hotel is for travellers who want their stay to have a personality. The 20 rooms each have their own theme, art turns up in every corner of the house and garden, and guests use words like quirky, joyful and gloriously eccentric. Behind the playfulness sits serious cooking: the restaurant holds two AA Rosettes, and dinner, afternoon tea and breakfast are praised as warmly as the friendly, attentive staff. The setting above Talland Bay is peaceful because it is remote. Getting there means narrow lanes, parts of the old building are reached by steep staircases, and the cove below is an easy walk down and a hard one back. The hotel is also very dog-friendly, which is a joy for some guests and less so for others. Couples, food lovers and walkers with a dog will feel right at home; those who prefer classic interiors and easy access may want somewhere more conventional.
Guests score it 9.2 out of 10 — the average across the 9 hotels we list in Cornwall is 9.0.
What Guests Loved
- The hotel looks out over Talland Bay from its gardens, and guests describe a peaceful setting with uninterrupted sea views, moonrise over the water and church bells drifting across the valley. A small cove lies just down the hill for a morning swim.
- No two rooms are alike, and guests love the art and design surprises around every corner, calling them quirky without being cheesy. Rooms are described as spotless and comfortable, with very good beds, and some are particularly spacious with sea views.
Things to Consider
- The hotel is reached on very narrow Cornish lanes, which several guests found nerve-racking to drive, and it sits on its own above the bay. Shops and restaurants mean a drive or a coastal walk to Looe or Polperro.
- The building is a historic property converted over the years, and some parts are reached by steep, narrow staircases; staff help with luggage. The path to the cove is short but steep on the way back, though there is a car park at the beach.
Should you book it?
Talland Bay Hotel is worth booking for couples who want character, sea views and a serious dinner — but pick somewhere else if you dislike driving on narrow country lanes.
Book it if you want
- Couples who want character, sea views and a serious dinner
- Dog owners walking the South West Coast Path
Pick somewhere else if
- You dislike driving on narrow country lanes
- You would rather not share the lounge with dogs
Frequently asked questions
How far is Talland Bay Hotel from the centre of Cornwall?
Talland Bay Hotel is 33 km from the centre of Cornwall.
How do guests rate Talland Bay Hotel?
On Booking.com it scores 9.2/10 from 283 guest reviews.
How many stars does Talland Bay Hotel have?
Talland Bay Hotel is a 4-star hotel.
What amenities does Talland Bay Hotel offer?
Talland Bay Hotel offers sea View, 2 Restaurants, bar, garden, terrace and free Wifi.
Weather & sea temperature — Cornwall
Right now: 16° air · 18° sea
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Porthallow, Talland, PL13 2JB, United Kingdom