History

Built in 1894 by the famous Cornish architect, Sylvanus Trevail, the Carbis Bay Hotel quickly gained popularity as a result of the boom in seaside holidays, which had been made possible by the expansion of the railways. Indeed, at the turn of the 19th Century, Carbis Bay Station was a grand affair, boasting its own station master, station house and full-time staff.

Rosamunde Pilcher

"Penelope, however, has taken everything in her stride. By everything, I mean the enormously thick carpets, swimming pools, Jacuzzis, private bathrooms, televisions by our beds, huge bowls of fresh fruit, and flowers everywhere. We have clean sheets and towels every day. Our rooms are all in the same corridor, and have adjoining balconies, looking out over the gardens and the sea. From time to time, we step out onto them and converse with each other. Just like Noel Coward's Private Lives."
Extract from 'The Shell Seekers' published by Hodder Headline.

The Carbis Bay Hotel has been immortalised by the author Rosamunde Pilcher and appears as The Sands Hotel in her novels 'The Shell Seekers' and 'Winter Solstice' both published in the UK by Hodder Headline.

Visitors from all over the world come on a 'pilgrimage' to West Cornwall to bring alive the magic of Ms Pilcher's writing and to experience first-hand the drama of the scenery in which much of her work takes place.

Staff at the Carbis Bay Hotel are delighted to provide further information for any visitor on such a quest - or perhaps you might like to join one of our 'Themed' short breaks?