Are you a regular Hotel goer? Is fine dining, napkins laid in your lap, wine placed in a cooler on the table and poured by an Italian looking waiter part of your regular yearly routine? Or are you like me, and the nearest you’ve come to this over the years is a night on the sofa with Julia Roberts as she plays ‘Vivienne’ in the film “Pretty Woman’. Oh how I love that film.
If you are one of the lucky ones then I would advise a night on the sofa with Julia, it’s a great film if you’ve never seen it, but if you are like me and summers as a single mum meant a paddling pool in the garden and an Ice pop from the fridge, then don’t be too surprised when the waiter pulls out a chair. It’s not because he’s noticed that the chair leg is wobbly, and doesn’t want an accident on his hands, hes doing it for you, Just for you!
The Headland Hotel has been the most iconic of Cornish hotels for over a century. I think the word ‘Grand’ goes someway to describe it, especially for a hotel virgin like myself. The staircase leading down to dinner in the evening seemed to arouse a floating feeling and I had to be careful not to trip on my dress as I did my best ‘Meghan Markle’ impression. I certainly felt quite the royal as I made my way down those stairs each night. I wonder if anyone could tell? Its strange to think that I was walking in the footsteps of Princes Edward and Bertie who stayed in the hotel as teenagers being among the early guests.
In the late 19th century the building of this hotel wasn’t welcomed by all. Local fishermen who claimed that it was being built on common land where their nets had been dried for generations, even went to the lengths of pushing the foreman’s hut into the Atlantic. I’m hoping the foreman was out on a tea break at the time. During the 2nd World War it was used as a hospital and there are many unproven claims of ghostly sitings, nurses in uniform wandering around at night. Thankfully I slept very peacefully apart from the odd snore which definitely wasnt of a ghostly nature.
Some of you may recognize it as the filming location for ‘The Witches’ , written by Roald Dahl, and released as a film in 1990 with Rowan Atkinson playing the hotel manager.
The hotel is so welcoming with a really relaxed atmosphere. There are an array of lounge rooms to choose from whether you’re wanting a meal, a drink, a game of chess or just a bit of quiet, and although beautifully decorated it still maintains its original charm, giving you a taste of history wherever you choose to sit. When you are lucky to have wall to wall sunshine as in the last few days there is a lovely decked area where you can sit and watch the tide rolling in and out,
Or just watch in awe as the sun sets in the evening.
Of course nothing beats waking up to the sound of a seagull swooping above you, the fresh smell of sea air and the gentle sound of the waves as they crumple onto the shore. What could be more perfect and rejuvenating.
I think my summers past, with one hand holding an ice pop and a foot in the paddling pool have only served to increase my appreciation of a few nights spent in such a special place….and I can’t help but be thankful.
Love Alison x
Through rose tinted glasses. 
What a beautiful post!
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Thankyou im glad you enjoyed reading it. It is a lovely place.
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Peace.
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It looks heavenly.
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It certainly was and the weather made it even more so. A real treat and good for the soul.
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This is wonderful! What a lovely thing to do! It makes me want to visit, but I also totally agree with your philosophy on waiting for something special.
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Thankyou. I think our luck with the sunshine made it extra lovely but its a place to be enjoyed whatever the weather.
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Well worth a visit.
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First of all, I’m like you enjoying Julia Roberts in any movie, actually, but Pretty Woman is classic. However, the hotel is spectacular and the lounges overlooking the beach are to die for as are the gorgeous sunsets. Maybe at some time in our lives a little luxury is needed. All of your photos are beautiful, Alison, and I really enjoyed this post. 💗🌷
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Thanks Lauren. It was certainly a real taste of luxury and a few days to be remembered. Also a real boost to my well being. I felt quite the movie star especially when i was floating down to dinner. Glad you enjoyed it . 💟
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I’m glad you had the chance to experience that movie-star-moment! It sounds exciting and dreamy! 🙂
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Im a bit of a dreamer so it doesnt take much for me to be in a film 😊 but i think just the joy of three days with no interuptions was heaven. X
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🙂 ❤
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Wow – very grand indeed! And how wonderful!
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Thankyou, we did have a lovely , special time.
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For some reason I thought I’d commented on this post already.Anyway…I ❤ Pretty Woman too! But shhhh…don't tell anyone. I might have to turn in my "feminist card." The photos are so gorgeous. 🙂
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I think its hard not to enjoy that film on one level or another. Im afraid the romance gets me every time. I was floating down those stairs as feminine as can be.
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Ohhh, how I wish I could experience this hotel! Not likely I’ll get from New England to there, but you certainly helped me feel like I was inside and outside this magnificent place for a while. “Hotel virgin” – funny. I’ve stayed at many a hotel through my travels, but not many like this one!
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Im glad you enjoyed it and thank you for visiting my blog. It really is a special one and somewhere that Im hoping ill get to go to again. A real treat.
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I’m sure you’ll get there again some day! So nice to follow you, and thanks for following me over at Roughwighting. xo
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Well, I’m not “Hotel virgin” but I still enjoy a few nights in a grand hotel once in a while. I equally enjoy sitting on my sofa watching a good film with my hubby. Love this post and the quote. We do appreciate things more when we don’t get it everyday.
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Ive gone too long without treats like this which is why it was extra special. Hopefully Ill get to go back again soon, although I may not get the same weather.
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Yes, we often think of others first but let’s not forget to treat ourselves once in a while. 🌼
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