SARAH JONES stays at The Llawnroc Hotel and soaks up the unspoilt charms that makes Cornwall the perfect getaway.

IT almost felt as though we had stumbled onto the pages of one of Enid Blyton’s Famous Five adventures.

As we made our way down the narrow country lane towards the secluded cove at Gorran Haven, it really was like discovering a secret hideaway.

Well off the beaten track, the idyllic little Cornish coastal village peppered with quaint fishermen’s cottages was the perfect haven of peace and quiet that we had been craving.

But despite the unspoilt surroundings, the area’s only hotel quickly proved itself to be well and truly moving with the times.

Opening in 2010, The Llawnroc Hotel is a boutique luxury hotel which prides itself on its spacious rooms, stylish décor, bespoke furnishings and stunning sea views.

Located at the tip of a peninsula on the southern Cornish coast near St Austell, the hotel commands an important position at the top of the bay.

Staying there for two nights, as soon as we stepped inside we were impressed by Llawnroc’s chic and contemporary feel.

Met with a warm welcome from reception staff, we were swiftly given a quick tour of the light and airy hotel and shown to our room.

With a huge comfy bed, iPod docking station, flat screen TV and slick bathroom complete with a separate drench shower, it had all the mod cons but the tasteful decor ensured it was in no way pretentious.

Boasting 18 rooms, luckily one of our windows looked over the rooftops towards the sea.

Straight ahead of us we could watch people amble their way down to the beach, while to our right was a cliff backed by rolling green countryside.

With a table booked for dinner at the hotel’s Gwineas Bistro on both nights, we enjoyed a truly fabulous meal on each occasion.

Using locally sourced and seasonal produce including fresh fish and seafood, the food here is a real highlight.

The weather – as it has been for most of summer 2012 – was pretty dismal when we visited, which was a shame as we couldn’t make the most of the lovely outdoor terrace.

Fortunately the hotel has plenty of space to relax indoors, with lots of comfy sofas and a great reading room.

Despite the weather though, we enjoyed several trips down the hill to the beautiful sheltered bay.

Perfect for families and swimmers, the sandy beach offers some of the safest bathing in Cornwall.

And if you want to work off some calories, its position on the south west coastal path makes it great for walks.

We didn’t have time to venture any further afield during our stay, but Llawnroc is also positioned in easy reach of two of Cornwall’s top tourist attractions, the Eden Project and the Lost Gardens of Heligan.

With so much both indoors and outdoors, The Llawnroc (‘Cornwall’ spelt backwards if you were wondering!) is a true Cornish gem.

- The Llawnroc Hotel, Chute Lane, Gorran Haven, St Austell, Cornwall.
Visit thellawnrochotel.co.uk or phone 01726 843461.