Features
Get Away - Fabulous Fowey

By Sue Roberts

The 2 AA Rosette Fowey Hotel  first opened its doors to visitors in 1881 – the beautiful original antique lift complete with gated doors is still in operation today.

Grand and imposing, it stands majestically on the south side of the Fowey estuary offering stunning views across to Polruan. There are also terraced gardens adjacent to the hotel and across the road.

On our arrival the weather had taken a turn for the worst, but this did not dampen our spirits having been shown to a huge ‘Executive Sea View Room’ (around £250 for dinner, bed and breakfast for two) on the top floor with the most spectacular views across and along the estuary.

Parking is very limited, due to the geography of the location, and has to be booked in advance at a cost of £10 per day. Despite no parking space available, we were able to unload the car at the hotel and then drive to the main pay and display car park.

A word of warning – this might be a difficult location for elderly or less able visitors as the roads are very steep leading up to the car park and the town in general.

The room was furnished traditionally and simply, in keeping with the age and style of the hotel.

Complimentary toiletries in the bathroom (complete with whirlpool bath), and bathrobe and slippers laid neatly on the bed were waiting for us – as was a bottle of chilled Cornish Knightmor sparking cuvee!

Having freshened up it was time for dinner, in the bright, airy, dining room complete with chandeliers. We were shown to a window table so had a brilliant view of the torrential rain!

Dinner was all you would expect and more – imaginative menu, well prepared and presented with attentive but discreet service. Soft background piano and saxophone music added a relaxing air to the dining experience.

I chose roast butternut risotto with sage, bacon and rocket which was creamy, delicious and just the right amount for a starter.

My husband’s pan seared Cornish scallops also got the thumbs up. Our main courses of butter baked breast of chicken and roast fillet of pollock, served with the most delicate of accompaniments, were a delight. Yes, we did manage a dessert – a buttermilk panna cotta with rhubarb and orange, and ducks egg custard tart with apple puree and cinnamon ice cream, both of which were simply delicious.

We ended the meal with floater coffees and petit fours relaxing in one of the two lounges – which leads through to a bar with a mind boggling choice of gins. After a good night’s sleep we woke to brilliant sunshine, drew back the curtains and were simply stunned by the amazing view that greeted us – there are not enough superlatives to describe it!

Breakfast was again served in the dining room, but this time with sun shining and shimmering on the water. The menu offered all the usual breakfast staples plus a few specialities such as eggs benedict and smoked salmon and scrambled eggs.

We stuck with tradition and opted for the full breakfast with toast and coffee.

We checked out feeling we had been temporarily transported back to the Victorian age of elegance and will never forget those stunning views.

To book or for more information visit www.thefoweyhotel.co.uk or call 01726 832551

  • Get Away - Fabulous Fowey
  • Get Away - Fabulous Fowey
  • Get Away - Fabulous Fowey