Meudon Hotel Coastal Retreat Review: A Subtropical Valley & Idyllic Cove in Cornwall
The Meudon Hotel offers direct access to two exceptional attractions: a lush subtropical valley and the tranquil Bream Cove, a stunning south-coast beach perfect for swimming and unwinding.
Meudon Hotel Review
The Hotel Meudon, near Falmouth, is a whimsical retreat set amidst gardens that could be straight out of Alice in Wonderland. Overlooking the pristine Cornish coast, the tropical flora transports you into a storybook realm where leaves unfurl as wide as sails and trees shrink to the size of your imagination. Here, scale is a playful trickster: one moment you tower, the next, you’re as small as Alice after a sip from a mysterious bottle, always a wanderer in a fantastical, far-flung world.
Meander through the lush valley to uncover Bream Cove, a secluded beach cradled by soaring cliffs. It's the perfect spot to relax and listen to the gentle waves as they wash over the pebble-strewn shore, offering a peaceful escape from everyday life.
The valley itself is filled with colour, with rhododendrons, camellias, and rare blooms like the 10-metre-tall Magnolia and Rhododendron Protristum standing out. Ancient trees, some 180 to 200 years old, add a sense of history. The Foxglove Tree impresses with its purple flowers and sweet fragrance, while the Wollemi Pine, once thought extinct, is majestic. The garden features a variety of plants, including fuchsias, agapanthus, hydrangeas, and the large-leaved Gunnera. Subtle hues abound, from blue agapanthus and purple osteospermums to striking lilies, all under the tall Monterey pines.
The hotel boasts 29 spacious, airy rooms, each a haven of comfort. Seventeen of these rooms extend into private outdoor spaces, be it a terrace or a balcony, offering guests a personal vista of the gardens’ splendour. Accessibility is thoughtfully considered, with a couple of rooms designed to accommodate wheelchairs, complete with convenient wet rooms. They are also dog-friendly and child-friendly, offering treats and beds for the former and fold up beds and cots for the latter.
Our journey to Meudon was part of the Mazda MX5 tour, a delightful escapade that included a restful night’s stay and a sumptuous dinner. The experience was further enriched by exploring the charming town of Falmouth and the idyllic countryside that cradles it. The Hotel Meudon is an adventure into the heart of Cornwall’s enchantment.
The historic Meudon estate whispers tales of the illustrious Fox family, whose Quaker roots ran as deep as their love for horticulture. These green-thumbed magnates didn’t just own properties; they owned the botanical scene, turning valleys into verdant utopias. Howard Fox, not your average shipping agent, and Edmund Backhouse, a banker who probably knew more about plants than pounds, teamed up to turn Meudon into a global garden party.
The Meudon you marvel at today is a tapestry of time, weaving together 17th-century coastguard cottages—smuggling tunnels included, because who doesn’t love a good pirate tale? The hotel’s name, a nod to a farmhouse built by homesick Napoleonic captives, evolved from ‘Mowi do Non’ to ‘Meudon,’ proving that even prisoners of war could be trendsetters in toponymy. And as for that hotel extension from the groovy ‘70s? It’s the cherry on top of this historical sundae.
After skimming stones across the tranquil sea, we strolled leisurely back through the verdant gardens and meandered down to the cocktail bar.
Freddie’s Bar emerges as a contemporary haven amidst the surrounding antiquity, swathed in deep crimson wallpaper emblazoned with neon-lit Andy Warhol aphorisms. The décor fuses modern touches with 70s glamour with its retro blood red seating and jet-black marble tables veined with pure white streaks.
Our evening commenced with a vivifying ‘wake-up call’—an impeccably mixed old fashioned (a blend of bourbon, bitters, sugar, and a twist of orange) alongside a classic negroni (a fusion of raspberry and prosecco), each one made with love and skill. The bar staff, youthful and eager, were the epitome of attentiveness.
After basking in the bar’s playful atmosphere, we descended the stairs to the Meudon restaurant, greeted by its majestic stone pillars and a unique panorama of the valley, resplendent with its tropical flora. Head Chef David Waters leads the kitchen at Meudon, known for his skill in preparing dishes using seasonal, freshly caught fish, seafood, and locally sourced meats and game. His menus highlight the best of the region’s produce, including ingredients foraged from the hotel’s own gardens, creating a farm-to-table experience. Dishes are designed to reflect the flavours of the Cornish coast, with fresh herbs, vegetables, and other ingredients infused with the salty sea air.
Our culinary journey began with a delightful ham hock terrine, paired exquisitely with tangy piccalilli atop crisp crostini, and a sumptuous smoked mackerel pâté, complemented by refreshing cucumber on golden toast. The main course presented a succulent lamb ragù, intertwined with al dente pappardelle and tenderstem broccoli, a symphony of flavours. Meanwhile, Emily savoured the hake, its flaky texture harmonising with the subtle aniseed notes of fennel and the gentle sweetness of courgette, all bathed in a rich Provençal sauce. For dessert, the shared sticky toffee pudding was a masterpiece, its deep caramel flavours elevated by whimsical popcorn ice cream, while the prune ice cream sandwich was a revelation, with its luscious pears and brandy-soaked sultanas creating a decadent finale.
We had a profoundly restful night’s sleep in the expansive and cosy bed, and thoroughly relished the morning’s culinary delight of double poached eggs atop a bed of succulent salmon, all drizzled with a rich hollandaise sauce, served in the welcoming ambience of the dining room.
Hotel Meudon shines as a secluded paradise, offering guests their own private sanctuary complete with a breathtaking beach and vibrant gardens. This is the perfect retreat to rejuvenate and invigorate your spirit, whether through serene paddleboarding, refreshing swimming, or discovering the exceptional local attractions. The staff are not just attentive but genuinely caring, knowledgeable, and eager to share their insights about the picturesque surroundings. Here, you can effortlessly escape the hustle of everyday life, unwind in the tranquillity of nature, and indulge in life’s simple pleasures. Plus the intimate spa is a haven of relaxation, where you can treat yourself to a luxurious, pampering massage, ensuring you’re fully revitalised before you return to the visually inspiring beach.
Rooms from £129 per night on a B&B basis.
