Perched above Blue Flag Porthmeor Beach in Cornwall's St Ives is Day Dawn, a luxurious five-bedroom holiday home that's dog-welcoming, too. Lovingly renovated with attention to detail in mind, the high-spec property sleeps 11 and is ‘upside down’ by design, allowing guests to make the most of the glorious sea views from the first-floor living rooms.
Ideal for families and groups, the house harmoniously fuses contemporary comforts with coastal charm, from the spacious kitchen-diner with seating for everyone and the Juliette balcony in the lounge to the hot outdoor shower and parking for up to four cars – a rarity indeed in the town.
Wandering around the first level, take in the fully-equipped kitchen complete with an island, an L-shaped sofa, a dining table, and two ovens, before heading through to the cinema room where you'll find a flat-screen TV, an Xbox and a DVD player. In the light-filled living area beyond, discover plenty of seating – grab a spot and admire the glistening turquoise sea through the floor-to-ceiling glass doors. On colder evenings, the electric stove will keep you warm.
Bedroom-wise, the ground floor is home to a superking, two kings, a twin, and a triple (single plus a bunk bed). All are decorated in soothing tones and offer anything from doors leading to the terrace to garden/sea vistas. Three have an en-suite shower room, and there's a family bathroom with a tub and a separate shower; all have Cornish toiletries. Fluffy dressing gowns are provided, including for children, as well as slippers and Turkish beach towels. On this level is also a utility room, with a washing machine and dryer.
What about outside space? Super-stylish, with a dining table and sofas on decking for relaxing, a BBQ for al fresco cooking, and a fire pit – s'mores anyone? But that's not all: there's also a lawned section with an 'egg chair', plus storage for wetsuits and surfboards. Back indoors, thoughtful extras include toys, board games, and baby equipment such as travel cots, high chairs and stair gates, as well as Smart TVs in every bedroom and Bose speakers.
Just a stone's throw from sandy Porthmeor Beach and a 10-minute stroll from the cobbled centre of St Ives, you're as well-positioned as can be to explore the local area, from the plethora of restaurants, pubs and bars to the picturesque harbour and the Tate. Meanwhile, with Day Dawn's direct access to the South West Coast Path, walkers will be in their element. Slightly further afield, take the scenic train one stop to Carbis Bay, or jump in the car and head to any number of nearby gems, from the rugged, historic village of Zennor to seal spotting at Godrevy.
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