Azenor

The arty Cornish seaside town of St Ives is full of surprises, which means that Azenor fits right in. From the outside, it's a typical period house in the centre of town; inside, it's a gorgeous contemporary renovation over three floors that's less holiday cottage and more luxury retreat. With its stone walls, bay windows and wooden panelling, there's plenty of sympathetic character here, but it also makes a really flexible, modern base for family and friends' holidays, with the beach and harbour, shops, galleries and boutiques all just minutes' walk away.

Open-plan lounge and dining area, and fully equipped kitchen, are on the ground floor, along with one of the three bathrooms – this is handy for washing surfboards and wet suits, if you're on that kind of holiday. The house is crisply and elegantly decorated throughout – definitely designer home rather than cosy cottage – featuring a 'snug' area with sofa, an original fireplace and a huge, wall-mounted TV (one of four in the property – it has been known to rain sometimes in Cornwall). The dining table will seat eight, for ad hoc breakfast and convivial dinners.

Four bedrooms across the upper two floors do the honours for up to eight adults and two children, two rooms with double beds and one – a loft-style space – with twin beds and a double, making the latter a handy family or kids' space. The master bedroom on the first floor has a king-sized bed, its own gorgeous en-suite bathroom and, best of all, access to a wonderful private roof terrace with a real beachside vibe. There's room for a few people up on the terrace, so you may have to put up with constant knocks on the bedroom door if you grab this room. The family bathroom is also on the first floor, with a separate toilet.

The feel throughout is calm, coordinated and clutter-free, which makes it a soothing base to return to after a day in one of Cornwall's most dazzling holiday towns. Whether you're here for the shops and galleries or good old seaside fun, there's plenty in St Ives to keep you occupied – and then, once you close the door behind you, it really is a hideaway town centre sanctuary at Azenor.