Cornwall’s Boutique B&B

"Charming" is the first word that springs to my mind when looking to describe the Chapel House in Penzance. The Georgian building was built in 1790 and was used as a family house, a WW2 shelter and an arts club before being thrown onto the property market for £1.2 million. Despite the walls being painted oxblood red, Susan Stuart saw the buildings potential; took it off the market in 2011, and bought it back to life following an extensive two-year redesign and renovation. Susan has not only successfully turned Chapel House into one of the most stylish boutique hotels in Cornwall but has also perfected the guest experience from start to finish.

Located in Penzance, near the Minack Theatre and St Michaels Mount

Chapel House certainly helps put Penzance on the map. Located on one of the most picturesque streets, the hotel is just stones throw away from St Michaels Mount and Jubilee Pool (soon to be geothermal). It also only takes a 20 minute drive before you could be standing on the edge of Lands End or indulging in Cornish history at the iconic, Minack Theatre. Find quirky bars, Michelin star restaurants (such as Bruce Rennies, The Shore Restaurant), and wonderful art galleries amongst Penzance streets.

Chapel House is made up of 6 chic bedrooms, a drawing room, a spacious living room, a kitchen, and two brand new suites. We had the honour of spending the night in one of the new suites located just steps away from the main house. Our suite was absolutely incredible - the interior of not only the two suites, but the main house too, is inspired by the ocean and features soft greys, greens and blues then enhanced by the natural light that floods through the buildings windows.

An upside down suite; with the bedroom located downstairs and the kitchen upstairs, it was a little different to any suite that I had stayed in before, but I wasn't to complain. My best friend, Leah and I poured a glass of prossecco, lit the log burner and made ourselves at home. My favourite part of the suite was the stone wet room and waterfall shower, hidden behind the bedroom wall. The next morning I awoke really early (damn, body clock) so I went upstairs with a cup of coffee and watched the sun come up over the harbour. I can assure you that the view from every single window in Chapel House is absolutely stunning.

Breakfast in Cornwall? Chapel House has you sorted!

It may have been a Sunday morning, but we agreed to make a conscious effort to wake up at a decent time so we wouldn't be late for breakfast. As we walked into the kitchen we were welcomed with huge bowls of fruit, freshly squeezed fruit juices (the orange and berry was amazing!), pastries, a variety of granolas and a menu full of cooked breakfast options. The kitchen is very different to your expected hotel kitchen - it's a communal area and Susan, the owner, is your chef. If exchanging conversation over breakfast isn't your thing, then the communal kitchen may not be for you - but personally, I loved the idea and instantly felt at home. We joined a lovely Cambodian couple at the table and shared stories about our hometowns whilst digging into fresh fruit, greek yoghurt and sausage sandwiches - what I call a dream breakfast accompanied with fascinating company.

It was a relatively quiet weekend at Chapel House, so Susan kindly left us to explore the house at our own pace. I felt like a little kid that had just been handed the keys to some sort of princess house and I was allowed to run free with my camera. I have to say, every room in the building is ridiculously photogenic - a grand canvas with bespoke, antique furniture and modern pieces - Susan clearly has a great eye for detail. It's difficult to pin point what stands out to me the most - the airy space, the clean cut lines, the large bedroom windows and the INCREDIBLE BATH TUBS!

As I entered the drawing room, I closed my eyes and imagined going back in time. I could imagine someone playing on the grand piano in the corner of the room; young children running around the room playing hide and seek, the housekeeper cooking up a storm in the basement kitchen, and the grandparents working their way through the full book shelf whilst the mother looking around the room, smiling at herself and her perfect family. But 200 years ago, Chapel House didn't look like anything like it does now.

From a tired building; desperate for attention, to one of Cornwall's most elegant boutique hotels, Chapel House is a true work of art, and every single detail has been chosen carefully to help tell the story of an incredible transformation.