Words by Jamie Crocker
Like a good wine, this charming hotel is infused with history and creativity.
Originally brought to life by the vision of David and Paola, along with David’s brother George and his wife Joan, who purchased it back in 1969, The Penventon Park has matured into the complex and charismatic hotel that we encounter today. From the outset, David, already an established artist, infused its spaces with his passion for his subject, adorning walls and rooms with his paintings of intricate flowers and the stunning Cornish coast.
Paola, a native of Italy, shared David’s love for travel, particularly to her birthplace – Venice. Each journey they embarked upon inspired them to gather unique treasures and design ideas, which, over the years, they have thoughtfully integrated into the Penventon’s decor. This blend of artistic flair and European charm creates an atmosphere of heady opulence where every niche tells a story. Here, we take a moment to ask some questions, to discover what makes this rich and mature hotel and restaurant one to savour.
Can you describe the variety of rooms available at the Penventon? What types of accommodation do you offer and what distinguishes them?
We offer a variety of room types tailored to different styles and needs, ranging from singles, classic doubles, superior doubles, and superior family rooms right through to feature rooms that include four-posters. Each one tells a story drawn from the hotel’s rich history and the surrounding Cornish landscape, all decked out with best-in soft furnishings.
Our classic doubles reflect two distinctive inspirations – Wanderlust and the Artist’s Palette. The former evokes a sense of adventure, featuring a collection of worldly artefacts, vintage art and rustic materials, perfect for those with a passion for travel.
Meanwhile, the Artist’s Palette rooms embrace vibrant colours and whimsical design elements, creating a playful yet sophisticated atmosphere. The superior rooms derive their individuality from either Georgian glamour or botanical themes. The Georgian Glamour rooms transport you to the grand 18th-century mansion, with rich dark wood furniture and soft Georgian neutrals incorporating gold accents. These rooms contain fabrics such as Cottage Tea Rose Floral and Zoffany, lighting with Ickworth Pendant and Jim Lawrence Plantation wall lights in Old Gold. In contrast, our Botanical rooms bring the essence of the outdoors inside, with floral decals and serene tones, inspired by Cornwall’s famous gardens and our historical ties to horticulture.
For a really special experience, our four poster doubles, part of the feature rooms collection, offer timeless elegance. The hand-carved four-poster beds, rescued and restored from a Georgian manor in south Devon, allow guests to sleep like royalty.
The pinnacle offering is the Penventon suite. Perfect for newlyweds or those seeking something really special, it is characterised by a clean, white palette with rich accents that create a sense of depth and sophistication. It boasts a freestanding roll-top tub, perfect for a long, relaxing soak and a monsoon shower.
What are the key features and amenities that set Penventon’s rooms apart from other hotels in the area?
We like to offer guests an escape from the ordinary. An experience that blends Georgian splendour with modern comfort, where the past and present meet in a mix of fine dining and drinks that are decanted with heartfelt hospitality and precision service. Every moment spent at the Penventon is consciously designed to be unforgettable. With luxurious bedrooms, a leisure club, and indulgent spa treatments, we provide a haven where guests can relax and recharge
How does the hotel appeal to leisure and business travellers?
We love turning first-time visitors into regular guests, many of whom have become friends over time. We get to know their preferences, from their favourite drinks to their go-to dishes, ensuring each stay feels familiar and tailored just for them. It’s all about creating a space where nothing is too much trouble, helping to make our guests feel cosseted.
Do you offer special accommodation packages or seasonal deals? What can guests expect from these offers?
Winter is such a great time to spend with us – not only because Cornwall is quieter and picturesque – but because our hotel embraces the season and becomes a cosy retreat. The food takes on a comforting cloak, the drinks become spiced, and our lounge, like a John le Carré novel, invites you to come in from the cold.
Our most popular bedroom package is our Christmas one, where guests can stay two or three nights over Christmas (though they can add on extra nights). All meals are included in the deal; entertainment is scheduled so they can experience a wonderful stay under the twinkling lights, Christmas trees and garlands.
What steps does Penventon take to ensure a personalised guest experience?
Upon booking, you can request something special to be added to your room, ready for your arrival. Our most popular is homemade chocolate-dipped strawberries or a bottle of wine – we have over 170 to choose from, so you’re spoilt for choice. Other extras include flowers, afternoon tea and dinner, or the more practical extras such as a travel cot.
How do you cater to different guest needs, such as accessibility features, family-friendly rooms, or pet-friendly options?
Our family rooms are our most spacious. Two of them have a separate bedroom with a single bed, and the other ones feature a double sofa bed. We love making families feel as welcome as possible, which is why we have a few extras for younger children, such as a small teepee put in their room upon arrival This is very easy to take down and put back up. We also have some colouring-in for youngsters. Some images are drawings of the hotel or objects within the hotel, so you can even make a game of trying to find where the photo was taken.
Four-legged friends receive a doggy welcome basket in guests’ rooms upon arrival, a cosy fleece blanket, sink-in bed, towel, dog biscuit, food and water bowls and more.
Can you share any memorable quotes from guests about their stay at the Penventon Hotel?
We’ve had some amazing reviews and responses from some of our guests. Here are some of our favourites.
A group of friends who are committed international travellers spent five days over New Year at the Penventon. Here’s what they said, “We can’t begin to describe our stay! We feel like we have just left Downton Abbey after a royal visit! The hotel is beautiful, with the attention to detail second to none. The staff have left us speechless! We have stayed at Claridge’s and the Dorchester in London, and The Penventon can proudly hold its own by comparison! Thank you to every single member of staff. Thank you for the homemade jams and the fresh fruit platters (not on the menu). We feel like we have been wrapped in cashmere and spoon-fed warm brandy for five days! Hail The Penventon! See you next year for the whole of Christmas.”
“Old School Charm. The hotel oozes charm and has me wanting to find other reasons to come back to this part of the world.”
“As soon as we walk into the beautiful entrance with large flower displays on either side you’re greeted like an old friend and made to feel immediately special.”
What are some recent updates or renovations in the accommodation spaces that guests can look forward to?
We’ve recently renovated an area many of our residents have to walk through to get to their bedrooms. We call it the aviary as the idea evolved from the botanical theme woven throughout the hotel. It’s very light and filled with illustrations of plants and wildlife. We even have bird sounds playing.
We’re also in the process of updating our master suite, filled with stunning plum colours, which we’re looking forward to opening up again.
