The magnificent front view of the Scarlet with Natural Reed pool that can be swum in
No chlorine or chemicals used in cleaning process
I spent an amazing, very refreshing three night break with my husband over the New Year period at the UK’s most exciting new hotel, in Cornwall.
The Scarlet, which is situated in Mawgan Porth, is a first of it’s kind- new- build -eco – hotel that sits up above overlooking the stunning coastline of this picture perfect bay.
We had the most amazing time and all of our expectations were more than met.
I found this hotel a few months ago when I wanted to see what Eco type hotels/holidays there are in the UK as we didn’t want to leave the country this time. We tend to go to Europe a bit but realised, why live in the UK for years and not explore it much ourselves?
Cornwall of course is one of the prettiest area’s in the UK and we had been needing an excuse to get down there!
Stunning View in Spring/Summer
We took a train from London Paddington to Bodmin Parkway station which was 3 hours and 45 minutes long. Taking a good book with you, it doesnt feel like it takes that long to get there. Driving from London would be more like 5-6 hours and that didn’t sound very appealing to us!
We then took an Eco taxi, owned by the ‘Bio Travel’ company which uses Bio Fuel instead of the usual fuel. This already gave us a few points to having as much less as possible carbon foot print holiday!
When we arrived at the hotel 30 minutes later, we were blown away by the stunning view from the inside of the hotel. It goes straight out over the natural reed pool (more on that later) and directly overlooking the beautiful beach and cliffs. It was a very beautiful sight after living in London for the last few years. I had been craving some fairly unspoilt nature and this was it!
Our Unique Spacious Room
After a very informal checking in process (sitting down on comfy sofa with one of the hosts), asking us a few questions like did we want the paper every day (no way!) and what were our dietary requirements and when would we like to eat dinner each night) we were shown to our room.
When we entered our room, our jaws hit the ground! The view was incredible (exactly like the picture above) and room in general was just gorgeous. I loved the colours and fabric choices they used and was impressed to see that the sheets were fair trade cotton and the towels and bathrobes were all Organic Cotton.
The floor in the bathroom and shower area was heated, this was lovely on the feet when the outside was so cold.
We were lucky whilst staying, the three days were all blue skys – it was magical. Cold outside yes, but the beauty of the Scarlet is there is so much to do inside that you don’t even feel like you are missing out on being outside.
Fresh greens locally sourced
The food is pretty spectacular at the Scarlet with each menu having so much to offer. They have a fantastic and passionate Michelen Awarded Chef Ben, who always uses the best locally sourced produce that is organic as much as possible.
They really cater for all diets and even the raw food diet is no trouble for them. They will easily serve up plates of fruit, big salads and make smoothies for you. Your wish, is literally their command! They cater very well for Vegetarians and vegans too or those that have intolerences to wheat and gluten etc.
They also have a fantastic wine list with many being biodynamic and organic. Whilst we were there they had a wine tasting evening with a fabulous company called Ellis Wharton Wines www.ewwines.co.uk who were guiding us through their specially sourced wines. I am not really a huge wine drinker as it makes me so sick but this wine went down a treat. Its down to the fact that the things I tried were all either organic or Biodynamic. There is so much toxic stuff sprayed on most wines, and I try to avoid those ones. Its why people get terrible hangovers.
Yummy Vegetarian Options
My personal highlight of the weekend – the Hot Tubs! Was stunning!
My highlight of our stay at the Scarlet was their signature Hot Tubs! Set out in a secluded area close to the hotel, you get in these (complimentary I may add) for 30 minutes with a glass of champagne or drink of your choice. Heated with wood, these hot tubs are just a piece of heaven when its freezing outside. My husband and I had a session on our last night just as the sun was setting. It was magical.
Tented Treatment rooms for the most relaxing treatment possible!
Another fabulous feature is the Scarlet’s Ayervadic spa. Truly worthy of a blog on its own, it has many outstanding features. The general design of the spa is very unique. In all my years as a Beauty Therapist, back in Australia, I thought I had seen many lovely spas. None like this!
When you enter into the treatment area, you feel like you are in another world! All of the treatment rooms are made with Canvas. The walls, doors and roof are made out of heavy canvas which creates a very cosy tent like atmosphere. Its super quiet and perfect for having a lovely facial or massage. I had a one hour ayervadic body massage that was one of the best I have ever had. The therapist had been taught some unique massage movements which was just amazing. I felt dizzy afterwards, but in a good way!
The facial I had the following day was also incredible. They use Tri-Dosha Products which are follow the spas Ayervadic Theme. They are a fairly new brand and I can see them really taking off. The facial was one hour of pure massage. This was just delightful. Massage, I think, is what makes the skin look good. If you don’t eat right of course it doesnt help, and even using great facial products alone, doesnt help as much as we think it does, but Massage, is the best way to help the skin to function better. My skin positively glowed afterwards.
You can have long or short ‘journeys’ with the long lasting for 4 hours and the short for 1 hour. I wanted to have a long journey (well why wouldn’t anyone want the longer one!?) but they were all booked out! If you choose to stay at the Scarlet you better book in quick! Also, if you live in the local area, you are also allowed to use the spa for a small fee. This includes use of the meditation area, steam room (divine! they had little led lights on the roof that changed colour so pretty!), indoor pool (heated by solar panels even in winter!), hanging pods and general relaxation area.
The relaxation area with hanging canvas pods – sensation similar to being in the womb
What is super special about the spa and hotel in general is they have had these specially designed hanging canvas pods that rock back and forth ever so gently when you are sitting or lying inside them. Some are extra large and can fit two people. I went in one after my massage and it was pure heaven. I have got one on my list of things I would like to get for my house this year!
Whilst we were there for the three nights, we were constantly impressed by the service, thoughtfulness and previous planning that went into this three day New Years Eve package.
We had an amazing dinner on the Thursday night, with wine to match each meal, followed by Champagne and fireworks that were put on by the hotel. I have seen fireworks all over the world and some were million dollar and pound events but none were a patch on these ones! The fireworks above the hotel felt like we could reach out and grab them, they were that close. Truly beautiful!
Also, every day there was afternoon tea served in the retreat and this was part of the package as well.
Many interesting Activites were offered such as food foraging (to see what plants and flowers could be eaten around the hotel) a bush survival course with an ex Marine who showed us how to make fire out of a mobile phone battery!, a wine tasting evening, a morning swim on the beach on New Years Day, complete with hot chocolate for after the rather cold event (I did not do this by the way!), and dancing lessons on New years eve.
We did not expect such fun events. We left the Scarlet with a few new like minded friends and this was lovely!
We would go back to the Scarlet in a second, it is a truly magical place…..
and guess what? I haven’t even talked about the Eco aspects to the hotel have I?
Well here are a few short things to get you interested:
*The site building that was previously here, was taken apart very carefully and the scarlet sent the insulation to a Monkey Sanctuary so as to keep them warm during winter!
*For the Scarlet’s outside areas, we have conscientiously selected plants that should entice and support Britain’s
dwindling bumble bee population.
*They recycle the large amounts of waste water from showers and baths and then use it to flush the toilets which is a fabulous way to keep water consumption down.
* The slippers provided in the spa are made from recycled tires
*They also harvest rainwater (which I think we should all look into doing) and use it to top up the natural pool, wash cars, irrigate the sea thrift roof and provides rinsing and washing facilities for wetsuits and outdoor kit.
*For Energy, The Scarlet uses a Biomass Boiler which is fired on wood rather than gas, coal or oil products. THey get the woodchips from am local company which regards it as waste. This produces the Hotels hot water for kitchens, bathrooms and for general heating of the hotel.
I noticed in our room that the tiles on the floor were heated, was comforting to know how it was made that way.
* the Building’s Co2 Emmison Rate is 73% less than that of a typical building of its size.
* They provide discounts to guests who have reduced their carbon footprint by travelting to the hotel by bike, foot, bus or train.
* The scarlet help to organise and assist in quaterly beach cleans. The data is reported to the Marine Conservation Society.
* Any paper used by the hotel is made from 100% Forest Stewardship Council post-consumer recycled paper.
* The room folders have been made with recycled leather
* If the Scarlet ever needed to be torn down in the future every part of the building infrastructure can be recycled.
* When building into the moutainside, they took rock by rock away, very carefully and rehomed any little animals they found.
*The scarlet uses Solar panels to heat the indoor pool and with their thermal solar panels, this means that they can heat the pool even in winter and brings the temperature to sometimes over 50 degrees. I had a quick swim on New Years Day and I can vouch that the pool was lovely and warm! They also avoid using Chlorine and use Bromine instead which is less harmful.
I can’t recommend the Scarlet Hotel enough. It was one of the nicest trips away we have ever had. The hotel cannot be faulted in anyway. Truly stunning and the best service.
For more info please visit their lovely website, there is a fab video of the hotel they have made which you can see 
Contact the hotel for prices
Aurora Spa