When thinking of a hotel in Cornwall, let alone accommodation in Padstow, actually staying overnight at a Rick Stein establishment might not sound a likely choice. The famous chef just cooks fish, right? In fact Rick Stein?s contribution to the Padstow Hotel scene is as broad and appealing as his culinary delights.
We?re just another couple from London, the over-worked, over-stressed type that seek out a hotel in Cornwall as a means of recharging, relaxing and ? well, re-everything before throwing ourselves back into the big smoke. Now let?s not be too contrite here, Rick Stein?s is expensive, we couldn?t afford to do this often, but given the therapeutic qualities of his accommodation in Cornwall, not to mention the atmosphere of the place, we will definitely do it again!
Padstow, a working fishing port and well heeled tourist magnet, is massively enjoyable out of season. You get everything you would at the busy times, with dark mizzley nights as a kind of payment, or depending on the way you look at it, authentic Cornish weather. There is a certain ambience that comes from not having to side step the summertime hordes of sightseers. This soulful, dreamy atmosphere kind of soothes you, and when you get in from your early evening stroll and take your place at the table of what must be one of the best fish restaurants in the world, you really feel like this could be the only thing in the world.
Although it would never have occurred to us that you could actually stay at a Rick Stein hotel in Padstow, it does seem quite an obvious business model for the Stein formula of using the best of ingredients for outstanding results.
Situated behind the Seafood Restaurant is one of Padstow?s most impressively elegant guest houses ? St Edmund?s ? one of six hotels and holiday cottages in Padstow owned by Rick Stein. With oak flooring and great views across the beautiful Camel estuary, St Edmunds boasts the latest in chic modern features combined with a classic, colonial decor.
Even The Seafood Restaurant has 15 rooms above the restaurant, mostly overlooking the estuary and harbour. We chose to stay there, and it being the most famous of Rick Stein?s establishments, we chose to eat there too. The food lived up to the acclaimed chef?s reputation, and the rooms? Not just another hotel in Cornwall, Rick Stein?s accommodation in Padstow is a careful and considerate combination of comfort and style. A hotel in Cornwall of the Rick Stein variety is as worthwhile and enjoyable as a trip to one of his eateries.
Whether it?s a private holiday cottage, or a full board hotel in Padstow, Rick Stein?s little empire retains its blend of individualism and opulence throughout, lending his formula of local inspiration for a global audience to the definition of a hotel in Cornwall. The food?s not bad either.
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