First coastal aparthotel in Cornwall has opened in Newquay

SeaSpace, on Newquay’s east cliffs, blends hotel-style service with the flexibility and freedom of self-catering accommodation.

The team behind it say they want to “rewrite the rulebook for breaks by the sea in the UK.”

However, they also hope that it won’t just be a tourist spot but somewhere the whole community can get involved, whether it’s grabbing coffee in the café, using the fitness club, or taking part in creative and community events.

A calendar of exhibitions, pop-ups and film screenings is also being planned.

The living area in a large studio (Image: Matt Jessop) Bringing the aparthotel to life is the team behind Watergate Bay Hotel, Beach Retreats and Another Place hotel.

A number of longstanding team members from the original Sands Resort team remain, including head café chef Sam Shepherd, his partner Mandy Ling leading the front-of-house set-up as café manager, and former head of marketing Britta Hoffmann, amongst other returning staff.

Mark Williams, SeaSpace general manager, said: “We can’t wait to introduce guests to the SeaSpace way of staying. With its relaxed feel and community-first focus, along with insider insight and reedom to choose, we’re giving everyone the independence to make their stay their own.”

A large studio apartment (Image: Matt Jessop) SeaSpace CEO Ben Harper – who has led the project from concept to launch – said: “It’s exciting to be opening the doors of SeaSpace.

“For years I’ve been dreaming of bringing an offer like this to the table, and I’m so grateful to everyone who’s been a part of it.

“From the beginning, we wanted to create a space that felt part of the local community, and we’ve really leaned into that. We hope this place becomes known for its character, community, style and above all, the memorable experiences it offers – for everyone who visits.”

The aparthotel features an 11x8 metre mural by local artist and Newquay Tretherras School’s head of art, Phil Strugnell, designed to celebrate and tap into Newquay’s emerging coastal street art movement.

Kicking off the calendar of events – which will also include street food vans and music, designed to bring people together – Phil will be hosting an artist residency from November 8, with workshops both on site and in town as part of Newquay’s month-long festival of creativity, Be Newquay.

Inside one of the aparthotels (Image: Matt Jessop) SeaSpace Cornwall has been two years in the making, after an £11m complete renovation that has seen southwest-based architects Kay Elliot reimagine the former Sands site on Newquay’s east cliffs.

SeaSpace is now ready to host overnight guests as well as daytime visitors.

For those staying, there are 56 studios and apartments, including three accessible studios and large studios, each with a fully-equipped kitchen and lounge area for open-plan living.

However, just as much thought and effort has gone into the spaces everyone shares: outside, gardens, playgrounds and a maze encourage kids to roam wild while adults can relax.

An open-plan lobby café welcomes both guests and visitors for pastries, barista coffee and freshly made brunch and lunch dishes.

The communal cafe (Image: Matt Jessop) Head chef Sam Shepherd has designed a menu that includes banana pancakes, chorizo hash, kimchi superfood salads and crunchy chicken wraps. His approach puts local ingredients and producers in the spotlight, with a heavy emphasis on big flavours.

As the evenings roll around, craft beers, curated wines and cocktails are served at the bar, alongside pizza or pop-ups throughout the week.

Pavilion bakery is also coming onboard to bring its popular loaves, cakes and patisserie Leisure facilities include a 19m, Miami-inspired ocean-view pool, gym with Matrix cross trainer, rowing machine, bike, free weights and more, and there is a fitness programme including yoga, Pilates and HIIT classes.

Local membership offers access to all of SeaSpace’s wellness facilities for guests and locals, with on and off-peak access, ranging from ‘Just Gym’ memberships from £40 to ‘All In’ memberships between £50 and £70, offering access to the pool, gym and range of fitness classes.

Activities for little ones in the games room (Image: Matt Jessop) The aparthotel will also be bringing the first UK Padel singles courts to the southwest. With five brand new courts, including three doubles as well as the dedicated singles, it will make SeaSpace the largest padel club in Devon and Cornwall.

Meanwhile Wavehunters offer equipment hire from their on-site hub, including wetsuits, boots, body boards and surfboards waiting in designated lockers.

Staff have been trained in BSL, Makaton and dementia awareness, and all accommodation is dog-friendly.

And this autumn is just the beginning. SeaSpace has its eyes firmly set on growth, with plans for an additional 16 studios and apartments in 2025, planning permission for a further 24 lodges in the grounds, and discussions underway to scale the concept to other UK coastal locations.

Studio prices are from £100 a night for two people and large studios from £160 a night for a family of four, although to mark the launch 15 large studios (for up to four people) are being offered for only £50 every night from November 3 to February 13 until they are booked up.