Carbisbayhotel Reviews 

We booked a sea-view suite for a two-night getaway and paid approximately £900 per night, so understandably we were expecting the luxurious, modern accommodation shown in the photographs when we booked.

Having previously read a review mentioning problems with guests being allocated the wrong rooms, I actually telephoned the hotel the night before our arrival specifically to confirm our reservation. Unfortunately, my concerns proved justified. We discovered that we had been allocated a completely different, much more dated-looking room with busy floral décor, rather than the beautiful modern suite with extensive glazing and balcony that we believed we had booked.

At this price point, the standard and appearance of the accommodation are a significant part of what you are paying for. We have a very high standard at home, so when we spend £900 a night on a hotel suite, we expect the accommodation to reflect the photographs and description that persuaded us to book it. We certainly weren’t prepared to pay that amount for a room we would never have chosen from the photographs.

To their credit, the hotel staff were very pleasant and refunded us without difficulty. However, what concerned me was the apparent lack of surprise or concern that the accommodation advertised through Booking.com did not correspond with the room we had been allocated. Having already seen another review describing a room mix-up, it left me wondering how often this happens and whether other guests simply accept the room they are given.

This was particularly disappointing for us as the break had been booked as a much-needed two-night getaway following my father’s funeral. Instead of the relaxing stay we had been looking forward to, we were left without the accommodation we had carefully chosen.

The staff handled the refund courteously, and I don’t criticise them personally. However, when guests are paying this level of money, there really should be absolute clarity about exactly which suite they are booking and which photographs relate to that suite. Unfortunately, based on our experience, I would strongly recommend anyone booking one of the premium suites confirms that the specific room shown in the photographs is the room they will actually receive.

We had an email from Carbis bay Hotel offering for stays in May 2026 that i would get 40%off the normal price. I called the number on the email to me and booked with the 40 % off £1890 for a superior room for my birthday in May 26.That makes the room normal price £3100,if this offer was genuine.
When we arrived after the 380 mile drive we were taken to a room on the 3 floor ,because of my wife has a pacemaker she asked "how far is our room from the hotel lift. "The member of staff said we dont have a lift in this part of the hotel, we have only one room left on the 1st floor .She took us to see it ,it wasnt worth the price we were paying never-mind with the 40% off the original price. I said where is the fridge? as I had some medication to put in the fridge. The member of staff said ,did you want a fridge? She said I'll get you one. She brought a fridge from another room unsanitized.
We unpacked and sat down and looked at this awful aged ,unkept room for £1890.It was badly maintained,holes in the window frames ,wall paper curling off.The sink wouldn't hold water and the outside seating area was dirty ,unkept and dangerous .With exposed screws and loose decking,steps with the step missing. The door from outside into our room had all the paint coming off due to poor maintenance. One day we had to complain about breakfast that took 45 minutes to arrive .The bacon was hard and difficult to cut and hard to chew we told the manager,she said we cook to order,but I dont eat bacon ,and fatty food ,I've lost 5 stone .The worst issue was the water banging in the early hours, 2am to 5am morning causing lost sleep for 7 days it's called a water hammer.I videoed and recorded the noise.The room had a safe which wasnt fastened to anything just loose pushed under a shelve.So it could have been removed. On the last day the manager asked me to email her plumber who was coming to repair the water problem. As was left the manager gave me a two night free stay and that what she thought made everything good. No chance I would not recommend staying at this hotel for more than 2 nights,its tired ,badley maintained ,they dont know how to deal correctly with customers and just fob them off. Plus a glass of wine like cloudy bay is £25.00 a glass.

Luxury Setting, Surprisingly Poor Customer Care

Had it not been for our experience on departure, I would have been writing a very different review.

Shortly before 10:00 a.m., after breakfast, I went to reception simply to let the staff know that we had already vacated our room, in case they wished to send housekeeping to prepare it for the next guests. Having experienced a delay at check-in because our room had not yet been serviced after the previous occupants, I thought this would be helpful. I also made it clear that we were not checking out at that time. As the published checkout time was 11:00 a.m., we intended to take a walk along the beach before returning to complete our checkout and have lunch at the hotel.

Despite this, the receptionist insisted on checking us out immediately and requested that I settle the account immediately. My concern was not with settling the bill, but with the manner in which the situation was handled. I was made to feel as though I might leave without paying, despite the hotel having taken and authorised my credit card at check-in specifically for incidental charges.

When I queried why the card on file could not simply be used if necessary, I was told that the hotel was unable to charge it. This was surprising, as taking and pre-authorising a credit card at check-in to cover incidental charges or outstanding balances is standard practice throughout the hotel industry. The explanation offered simply did not make sense.

The receptionist’s attitude throughout the interaction was, in my opinion, rude, confrontational and condescending. Rather than feeling like a valued guest, I was left feeling embarrassed and unfairly treated.

The incident completely changed our plans. We had intended to return to the hotel for lunch before leaving, but after the way we were treated, we chose to leave instead.

Before posting this review, I contacted the hotel’s General Manager directly to give the hotel the opportunity to investigate the incident and explain both its checkout procedures and the conduct of the staff member involved. I requested a written response to the specific questions I had raised. At the time of writing, no such response has been received.

It is disappointing that what had otherwise been an enjoyable stay ended on such an unnecessary and poorly handled interaction.

Carbis Bay Hotel enjoys an exceptional location and commands premium room rates. At approximately £650 per night for a non-sea-view room, guests are entitled to expect a correspondingly high standard of service, professionalism and customer care. While the setting undoubtedly lives up to the hotel’s reputation, our experience at departure did not. Good customer service is often judged not when everything goes smoothly, but by how concerns are handled when they arise. Unfortunately, on this occasion, the service we received fell well short of the standard I would expect from a hotel that presents itself as a four-star luxury destination.

I delayed posting this review to give the hotel management the opportunity to investigate the matter and provide the written response I had requested. Regrettably, no response has been received, leaving me no option but to share my experience publicly.

This was our first visit to The Carbis Bay Hotel , from the moment of booking I have been very impressed .
On our arrival we were upgraded as it was my partners birthday which was very kind of them.
We were greeted with a warm welcome at reception by Troy ,very charming professional young man .
Troy gave us all the information we needed and even checked of the room was available as were were early, to which then he then gave us a tour of the hotel .
Nothing was too much trouble from any of the staff in all areas of the hotel .
The room was clean and beautifully decorated ,the restaurants were a delight and very tasteful , the spa was great and eventhough it was a horrible day we still went out to the heated pool , beautiful views and very tranquil , the sauna and jacuzzi too all outside in the beautiful grounds of the hotel .
I will definetly return as we had a wonderful experience and highly recommend it

Carbis Bay Hotel near Saint Ives Cornwall.
Why oh why are the Drinks at the bar next to Carbis Bay Hotel group so over priced ? Ok I get it to an extent a stunning beach location a very very beautiful designer dressed staff but the place totally lacked atmosphere and a true Barbadian beach vibe ??
There was a scattering of customers but only a few.
Probably because people were so ripped off on the first drink they couldn’t afford to stay for another. A £5.95 Aperol Spritz in Wetherspoons is £18.00 at Carbis Bay Hotel you have been warned !!!! two pints of beer and two Aperol Spitz’s £51.00 a litre of Aperol is £17.50 in Sainsbury’s how many Aperols do they get out of a litre ?
I know I sound like Victor Meldrew but if the management
Knew how to run a venue they would get us to stay with reasonable priced drinks.
Then we would stay to eat (more revenue)and drink a little more till the sun went down and the party started and we crawled up the hill to our stunning Holiday rental.
Management If you can kindly take a look at the Tiki Bar at the end of Barbados beach if you can at that bar your part of the family totally embraced & Nobody leaves & every body is completely chilled and they still have enough holiday funds to come back again and again till the holiday is over. I understand your holiday season is short and you have to live through the winter months but behave have a happy hour fill the place with a vibe some beach music and laughter and chatter please. But I suspect the Hotel thinks if we lower the prices they may attract the wrong clientele & the Gentry wouldn’t approve darling.
I spoke to a member of staff in the local large supermarket
(no names) the lady said her son lived and worked in London by the Gerkin and he said the
Carbis Bay Hotel Group have more expensive prices than in London pubs.
Shame to moan but it needs saying.
You’ve had it to good for too long.

Most of our stay was lovely — the hotel and facilities were beautiful, and we were really looking forward to a relaxing time together. Unfortunately, our experience at the C Bay Spa completely changed how we felt about our stay.

One of the staff members was extremely rude and made us feel singled out and discriminated against. When we kindly asked for robes, we were abruptly told to bring the ones from our room next time. What made this worse was seeing other guests, who were not Asian, being provided with robes, towels, and slippers without any issue or hesitation.

It was our first visit and we were celebrating our wedding anniversary, so this treatment was deeply disappointing and hurtful. We never expected to feel so unwelcome, especially at a place known for its hospitality and high standards.

It’s a real shame that such an experience overshadowed what could have been a perfect stay. We hope management takes this matter seriously to ensure that no other guests have to go through the same.

Our stay at the beautiful Carbis Bay Hotel was nothing short of sublime.
We’ve returned several times, and the staff never fail to impress – always going above and beyond.

A special thank you to the beautiful Natalia, who looked after my daughter and myself with such warmth and care. Her thoughtful gesture of upgrading us to a junior suite made our stay truly unforgettable. We felt incredibly fortunate and deeply grateful.

Thank you, Natalia, and sincere thanks to everyone at the Carbis Bay Hotel – especially Anna & the wonderful team at reception, whose seamless coordination ensures everything is just right for every guest.
I can highly recommend staying here.

We have just returned from a 4 night break at the carbis bay lodges and it was just the most amazing experience. The lodge itself was beautiful and luxurious with the best views of their golden beach. The service was everything you would hope for at a luxury hotel, nothing was too much trouble and always with a smile. The Spa facility was just right, enough services to give you choices and small enough to make it personal.
Would recommend anyone of any age to go and enjoy yourself.
Getting to StIves is so easy on the iconic little railway or a stroll along the coastal path. We honestly can’t wait to go back

Had a nice experience at this hotel. They have the best staff 24 hrs ready to cater all your needs. And they served best meals especially breakfast. :) Will surely book again soon. Thank u. :)

Had a fabulous afternoon at the spa. THe out door pool was the perfect temperature for a relaxing swim even on a rainy March day, and the hydro pool was so relaxing with views out to sea

The massage was top class with the therapist asking about preferences and meeting them 100%. Lovely pedicure too.

My one suggestion would be that the team maybe wear name badges or introduce themselves by names, not doing so makes it feel slightly impersonal. That's unfortunate as customer experience was great overall. Lesley who manages reception merits a shout out for going the extra mile.

The hotel was looking lovely, gorgeous spring holiday decorations in The Orangery

A lovely visit and I will be back for sure,

Our stay at The Carbis Bay Estate was simply spectacular, it was truly an unforgettable experience. From the moment we arrived, the staff at The Carbis Bay Hotel went above and beyond to ensure our absolute comfort and to make us feel special. The location of this hotel is simply breathtaking and we stayed in a Junior Suite that was right on the beach. The accommodation was luxurious, spotlessly clean and the best part was having a stunning balcony that was metres away from the sea - going to sleep with the sound of the waves and waking up to the most incredible sunrises really was a treat. This hotel exceeded our expectations on every level.

This is definitely a food lovers hotel and the hotel restaurants clearly take food very seriously, every meal we had at the hotel was simply delicious - shout out to the chef who makes the sour dough bread at Walter’s Restaurant…I think I have tried every possible type of award winning sour dough over the years, but none matched up to the bread that was served in this restaurant. I would go there again just for the bread! Top notch!

The setting of the Spa at the hotel is unmatched by any other I have been to in the UK, you can pretty much see the sea from anywhere in the spa, and when swimming in the heated pool, you are so close to the sea you feel completely at one with nature - such a superb design. We both had a treatment from Abbie Roskilly and I can honestly say it was the most relaxing massage I have ever had. I would also like to thank Abbie for treating my best friend with such care and understanding; she came away feeling so much better, and the foot pain she is suffering with constantly was completely eased. This really is a top notch Spa - you definitely get what you pay for here and the staff should be commended for their incredible customer service.

The attentive and courteous staff can be found everywhere in this hotel, they really do take their guests happiness very seriously here.

The most important part of this review is to mention the Lesley Pope, We have never experienced such kindness, warmth and understanding. This special weekend may have be the last time my best friend and I get to stay somewhere together, I hope it is not, but time is not on our side…. Lesley Pope went out of her way from the moment we stepped foot in the hotel, to make us feel welcome and very special. Nothing was too much for Lesley and she went above and beyond to make our weekend memorable. I honestly don’t know how to thank her and really want her to know how much her time, care and attention meant to us - you are one off, a true legend in the hotel industry and The Carbis Bay Estate is so lucky to have you, I just can’t thank this warm and kind lady enough.

This is truly a 5 star establishment - if you are considering staying here, please don’t hesitate to book, you are in for a treat!

Thank you again, I do hope we will be able to visit again together, but if not, I will be back and will always treasure the wonderful memories that Lesley Pope enabled us to have at this timeless, magical hotel.

As a wedding photographer, I have had the privilege of capturing many beautiful weddings, but none quite like the ones I have photographed at Carbis Bay Estate. This stunning seaside venue provides the perfect setting for couples who are looking for something a little different and unique for their special day. The thought of getting married on the beach is an exciting one, and Carbis Bay Estate does not disappoint.
One of the things that sets this venue apart is the range of ceremony areas that are licensed for weddings. With twelve separate areas to choose from, including a wedding hut on the white sand, an outdoor spa garden pavilion, beautiful function suites inside the main house, and the cozy coastal Inn the Gannet, there truly is something for every couple's taste and style.
What I love most about Carbis Bay Estate is how expertly they tailor each wedding to the couple's precise wishes. From classic and traditional to quirky and fun, small and intimate to grand and lavish, they are able to bring each couple's vision to life. The attention to detail is impeccable, and the team's passion for creating the perfect day is evident in everything they do.
As a photographer, I am always looking for unique and beautiful locations to use as backdrops for my photos, and Carbis Bay Estate provides that and more. The stunning views of the ocean and the lush greenery surrounding the venue are just breathtaking. I have no doubt that the memories captured at this venue will be treasured by the happy couple and their families for a lifetime.
In conclusion, I cannot recommend Carbis Bay Estate highly enough as a wedding venue. The setting, the range of ceremony areas, and the expert attention to detail make this venue the perfect choice for any couple who is looking for something truly special on their big day.
Kindest regards
The Kensington Photographer