As we approach the bright white facade of the The Esplanade hotel, anticipation rises with excited squeals from the back. This is the second time we have visited this fabulous family-friendly hotel with our two girls (now age 4 & 9) and the car reverberates with their pent-up excitement from the modest 50-minute drive from our home.
We love having a break this time of year, when Cornwall is quieter, and you can enjoy the coast without the queues. Despite living in Cornwall, we find we are creatures of habit and tend to frequent a small radius of beaches in the county, so it is refreshing and exciting to get a different perspective for the weekend, for us and the kids.
Happily, you can visit the Esplanade without checking the weather forecast as if it is ghastly outside, there is enough to entertain adults and children alike without stepping foot into the elements.
We park in the ample car park outside the hotel, overlooking Fistral beach and take in the fresh ocean breeze and panoramic views of the coast which is animated by the infamous swell. You will find committed surfers here from dawn to dusk and in fact, this weekend Fistral beach plays host to the 2023 British Championships and we watch in awe as the best of the UK’s surfers compete in 15ft swell.
We arrive early so head straight to the pool until check in at 3pm. You can use the facilities at the hotel from 12pm on arrival which means you get maximum value from the stay. Accustomed to this, we request our towels and head to the pool, sauna and jacuzzi. The pool is quiet at this time, and we happily pass an hour whilst the girls alternate between the deeper pool and the child pool which sits conveniently alongside so you can get in some lengths whilst supervising their play.
Check-in is a special experience for the girls as they receive their entertainment packs which include a ‘build a bear’ cuddly toy with stuffing (different from last year), pens and a drawstring bag which they can decorate. They are eager to get into the room and play with their new toys for another blissful hour whilst we settle into our room, which is equipped with an outside seating area overlooking the park.
The girls have a squash from the sachets in the room and we make some tea (reception were very helpful in providing oat milk). We are spoilt for choice as there is a wide selection of herbal, Cornish tea and coffee, shortbread biscuits and hot chocolate sachets with marshmallows to boot. Unusually, the room also has a good size fridge, a welcome gesture for families so they can bring basic necessities for their little ones and keep it fresh during their stay.
We meander down for dinner and head to the bar/ games area early so that the children can get a head start on the attached soft play area, pool table and games whilst we peruse the drinks menu. It's such a luxury to both be able to enjoy a drink with our meal.
This year the hotel has a new head chef and we are not disappointed by our dinner choice as we tuck into a deliciously crisp buttermilk chicken, fries and slaw accompanied by the Esplanade Spritz. A delightfully alcoholic cocktail made with Aperol, Gin & Prosecco cut with grapefruit juice and lime.
Following a lovely meal, it's time for family bonding over a film in the projector cinema with real folding seats! As we watch Inside Out, I reflect on how welcome children feel during their stay here and how this enables parents to steal a few more moments to relax and rejuvenate.
Before we bed down, it's to reception for the complimentary milk and cookies that are found in the reading nook every evening.
More adventures to follow tomorrow, as the hotel is conveniently located just a few miles from one of our favourite National Trust beaches, Crantock - a beauty spot that is jam-packed in summer months.
Another superb staycation, made even more relaxing by the wholesome entertainment provided by the hotel. We shall definitely be back!
Comentarios