We really wanted to stay at Watergate Bay as it is a quieter part of Newquay and very laid back but we also wanted to go to Fifteen for our first wedding anniversary. Sadly Fifteen was full and the Watergate Bay Hotel was way overpriced for a 3 night trip! We decided to stay at the Tregurrian for the location and had no delusions that it was anything other than basic due to it's 1 star rating - what we found was a little gem (and it's next door to the Watergate Bay Hotel). The staff were all very friendly and helpful, the room was small but immaculately clean and the breakfast was something else! The pool area was great and a nice change to the beach, the hotel has a pool/games room, bar and sauna/jacuzzi too. The whole of Watergate Bay is a beautiful place and the Phoenix pub which is next door but one do great food and drink. We would definitely go back and are planning our next trip already.

We decided to get away for the weekend and because we were late had only the bottom end guest houses or top end hotels available. Found this hotel advertised as a hotel with reasonable prices for b&b. Booking was easy via a web-based agency but contacting the hotel for directions etc wasn't. We found out that reception is staffed only for afew minutes each day.

We arrived late and incurred the wrath of th receptionist for not having told her our time of arrival. (we had in an e-mail). Her revenge was not proviiding the sea view we had booked. This led to a shrug of shoulders French-style.

The room was small and basic but adequate for our needs. With a car we were able to get out and about and use the room only to sleep in. I think over the three days we spent less than six hours awake in the room.

Breakfast is at 8.15am and the hotel was full so it was a scrum at the counter. Good choice and being self-service meant you could eat as much or as little as you wanted. Being early my partner and I chose a table in the conservatory part of the dining room. This overlooked the beach and an off-putting swimming pool which appeared to have all sorts of flotsam in it. Then a couple arrived and said we were at their table. Apparently you have to sit at the table corresponding to your room number. We were tucked away at the back of the room - a bit like our bedroom.

Dinner is at 6.15pm! The choice was steak or sea bass at reasonable prices but we ate out

The hotel is right on the beach and probably gets very busy in summer. Newquay is four miles away by either narrow road or coastal path. We had a great early morning walk to Porth and caught a bus back to the hotel for breakfast. Padstow is 11 miles away.

Leaving the hotel we had a run-in with reception again. Plans to leave straight after breakfast was dashed because reception opened at thier convenience.

Hotels had better get the hang of the idea that customers are their reason for being and not an inconvenience. We love Cornwall and are already planning a return visit before the end of summer but although the Tregurrian has a lot going for it until they sort out their attitude we won't be going back.

We have just spent three nights at the Tregurrian Hotel, and for the price we paid £178 for the two of us, it was excellent value. However, don't expect any frills - not even a hairdryer. It is many years since I have stayed in a hotel that doesn't have them - the in-room information said one could be requested at reception but for the three nights we were there both dryers were loaned out.

Also - take your own pillows if you want one more than an inch thick. I did ask for another pillow and did get one but not a pillow slip to go with it.

This is the downside. Now for the good. The food! It is described as a carvery but it was really self service. Each evening there was a fish dish and a meat dish - not a lot of choice but the food was good - meat and fish good - veg not overcooked. In addition there was always soup to start and cheesecake to follow (with Cornish cream), a small cheese board and freshly brewed coffee.

They are having a huge new building which should be ready by June but I can't say this bothered us in any way - although our room was at the front of the hotel.

The best was the bill - it was for about half what we had spent at the bar - we did tell them about it - and even then they had missed off the Sunday paper we had ordered (we paid that in cash) The Saturday paper we had ordered did not arrive - we were offered an alternative which we declined. Bar prices, by the way are very reasonable.

The staff (when you could find them) were lovely, except for the people on reception.

Included were tickets for Helligan and the Eden Project. Don't miss the Eden Project - it is amazing what can be achieved in a disused quarry.

The Tregurrian has a perfect setting in watergate bay, one of the most beautiful stretches of beach in Cornwall. It is a hotel with a real feel of Bed and Breakfasts gone by, a cosy bar, regular tables at breakfast and dinner, basic but very clean bedrooms, the staff are friendly and the food is good. The help yourself fry-up in the morning is a particular favourite of ours! There is an excellant pub just down the road (The Pheonix), popular with surfers, which serves fantastic home cooked food. The Garden Breaks that the hotel offer are great value, and include tickets to the Eden Project and Heligan. We have stayed there 3 years running, in March every time, when the weather thas been glorious and the attractions not too busy. And we are returning this year too!