The Windward - Newquay, United Kingdom 

Having returned from my Cancun Honeymoon on Thursday I had already missed the start of my friends stag do in Newquay. I flew out to Newquay from Stansted Saturday morning arriving early. After a day of surfing with mates who were staying in a surf lodge called Reef Island or something similar (not the best accomadation in the world) I went and checked into the Windward around 3pm. I was greeted warmly by a lady I believe was the owner Sue. I was given a quick tour of the premise before being shown to my room. Being a single traveller I had a single room which was surprisingly spacious and looked light and very clean. The Hotel was also very well positioned looking over the bay and seemed in good order. Quick bath and out into Newquay. The premise is a good 10min drive from the main town centre so taxi's or a car is required. It was Run To The Sun festival so the place was packed. After a good night out I returned via taxi (?8) at 1:30am having been up since 4am, The bed was very comfy and I sacrificed the complimentry full english breakfast for an extra 30mins in bed. Overall a nice Hotel, a little way out from main shops and bars but in good location if you have transport. No complaints about anything. Certainly no noise as per some comments on trip advisor. I would certainly return in the future.

We were looking for a pleasant one night stay in Newquay and booked in at the Winward as their website was encouraging and their location overlooking the bay, appealing. As there wasn't a huge difference in price (?20ish) for a sea view, we opted for that. On the positive side, the location is good, the owners and staff, friendly, parking ample and the rooms warm and exceptionally clean. On the negative, for the ?99 room rate, we were expecting a far bigger room than the cramped one we got and certainly some of the touches which come as standard now with most B&Bs and guest houses which charge in that price range (mineral water, moisturiser, shower cap, cotton buds... working TV remote!). Unfortunately placing 6 sachets and 4 small bottles of unbranded shampoo in the bathroom does not constitute good guest service! The decor is rather typically English sea side resort of the early 1980s ie. flowery and with carpets in the bathroom. Oh, and be warned, the walls are so paper thin we could hear 'everything' from the next door room - even with our TV on! The breakfast was not bad - not outstanding - (my husband's scrambled egg was way too salty to the point of being unedible even for him) but otherwise general fare and there was no problem with the service. Overall, if you don't have experience of many other places to compare with you might find this hotel a great place to stay. On the other hand, if you have had good experiences of what ?99 buys you, even in popular tourist areas, then like us you'll be disappointed, possibly even angry at allowing yourself to be ripped off. Personally we felt if the owners are happy to charge a 21st century room rate, they should at least move their rooms and facilities into the same era.