Porth Avallen Hotel and Reflections Restaurant in Cornwall, Isles of Scilly

stunning views,comfortable rooms and friendly staff

Rooms were very stuffy and smelly. We told the lady at the Reception about this and she told us that it’s likely because the previous night some workers stayed there; she wasn’t bothered to come and check the room and no alternative room was offered as there was only one that was very small for a family according to her. She then continued to eat her snack. No view from the room. We left the windows open in order the smell to go away but on return the smell was still there. We slept with our clothes on. We were tricked to book this hotel by the good reviews- how can this hotel be 4.1 stars?

Yet another wonderful stay with the fantastic team even though a storm and power cut. Just love the place and staff

Just had a meal here with family. Booked in person with a lovely receptionist / restaurant manager early afternoon. The restaurant requirements (please arrive early) were adhered to by us but my request for our meal to be done and dusted within a couple of hours wasn’t met by the restaurant staff. And to top it all off, after waiting 45 minutes for mains (luckily starters were requested to come out with mains) we ordered desserts, three desserts in fact. Waited 30 minutes for these as well. When our 2 hour requirements had elapsed and no desserts were still on our table, we had to leave. Upon telling the waitress and I believe the owner we had to go, we were confronted by the owner (?) in a hostile, aggressive & patronising manner. Telling us that we’d struggle to get individual meals produced within the hour in Charlestown, becoming confrontational over 3 desserts we had no time for etc. Bearing in mind this meal although nice but in no way exceptional cost £159.50, to be so obnoxious, aggressive and confrontational over 3 desserts, is not only poor customer service of the highest order but also borderline abusive. Apparently we’re now barred which is clearly no loss to us. If you want slow, non informative and abusive service, come here but if you like good food, great service and accommodating staff, other restaurants in Charlestown are far superior. AVOID, AVOID AVOID!!!

Absolutely terrible service, the waitress rude & disinterested and even taking our orders seemed like it was all too much bother. After our initial drinks were ordered we were not asked if we required any more drinks or even water for the table. After about 40 minutes when our meals hadn't arrived we asked the staff who advised us that the lasagne takes 45 minutes to cook, would have been helpful if we knew that. After almost an hour our meals arrived and the food was ok but very average for the price. The dirty plates sat on the table until we asked the staff for dessert, after waiting 30 minutes for dessert we decided to leave as the wait was too long. When we went to pay the £159 bill the owner came and abused us and was extremely rude, said he would note our name as we were not welcome back, which is hilarious as after the appalling service and rude owner we were obviously NEVER EVER going back!! Don't waste your time or money here. The location is lovely but service woeful, the owner is extremely rude and the food is overpriced and underwhelming. A bit like Fawlty Towers !!

3rd to 5th September 2024 room 24 no phone. no face clothes provided bed was hard and lumpy toilet had to pump to flush first night fish was not cooked had to send back

We had an amazing stay. Sure, the hotel is dated (I struggle to understand why it’s so dated when it was completely refurbished in 2004 - clearly to a 1984 style guide) but you have to look beyond that. The team here are brilliant. The reception team couldn’t have been more helpful or kinder. The same team run the bar and do so really well. We were made to feel really welcome and cared for. The food was very good, the location is perfect. The wildly eclectic collection of furniture is so bad that it’s nearly good. We found the shower was fine, the beds and bedding were clean, the hotel was well managed and kept. People, not paint, make places and the people here are wonderful. The coffee needs an upgrade if I’m honest but there’s a great speciality coffee place in Charlestown (the hotel should approach about supplying beans here) which is a 10 minute walk down the coastal path. The sea swimming here is safe as the bay is very sheltered and the coastal walks are sublime. Hat-tip to the restaurant and reception staff, they make this place great despite it being a triffle tired.

we have a lovely stay...it maybe an old house that is the hotel but it has a charm and maybe it is a little tired in places most old houses are but it was clean and the staff and the chef are wonderful and very friendly and could not do enough for us...at meal times if we asked for some thing it was got for us and with a smile...you only have to ask.... when in cornwall again we will be back for another stay....

Location was lovely but we found the food to be inadequate, we had dinner the first night only.

Absolutely beautiful and they view 🤩 I travel to their hotel for their wedding guest hair style and help them get ready.

Amazing views, great location, beautiful gardens. Staff are very nice, food is lovely. You are paying a premium for the views. Rooms are very dated and need updating, shower are old and cold. Mould on the ceiling of the bathroom.

We have been welcomed by the owner muttering, whilst on the phone, "wipe your feet on the doormat before coming in". Once we were inside, we smelled the stale scent of carpet and immediately thought some water and soap could help. The main courses were decent but bland, prices were steep but expected. The surprise came with the bill: they overcharged the wine by £16 (they amended it after having told them) and they charged our table £24 for 9 bite-size slices of stale bread and a can of pitted olives from Tesco. We found the overall experience soulless, you could do so much better than this

As locals, we used to frequently call in at this hotel for coffee. However we won't be coming again with a tiny hot chocolate (with no trimmings), from a faulty machine costing £5.50. We have been informed that the owner has recently put the prices up. (A packet of Crisps also costs £5.50). These prices are not on the hotel website. It would be cheaper to go down the road to the 4 star Calyon Bay Hotel or to Costa. My wife also reported that the ladies' toilets had used toilet paper all around the pedestal.

Nice view from the hotel. Great staff

Live local and we decided to go for a coffee because of the view, which is spectacular. As someone with a disability the carpark is hazardous. Going in not a soul around . Wasn't like I thought it would be. Somewhat tired. Tea was OK apart from the packet of biscuits that were over a year out of date. Not very impressed.

lovely views but that's were the good stuff stops , rooms and hotel dated , rooms freezing cold , food and beer over priced , will not be staying here again.