Budock Vean Hotel

United Kingdom , Cornwall
CORNWALL, Helford Passage, Mawnan Smith, SWS456151
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50 reviews shown

10/10

Exceptional

24 Feb 2026

Tony

We had a great time for a week there. Very relaxing time and the staff were always very kind and friendly. The rooms were a little bit old fashioned but I keeping with the friendly atmosphere

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

24 Oct 2025

Carol

Lovely hotel, spacious room, very comfortable bed. Excellent modern shower and high end toiletries. Breakfast was very good, large choice and freshly cooked. The staff were all helpful and friendly. I would stay here again.

Self

6/10

Pleasant

25 Sep 2025

Neil

OK, but no longer as great as it was

A sad return to this special hotel. The grounds were beautiful and beautifully maintained. The rooms and bathrooms were tired, and need modernising. On checking in, we were told that most of the facilities that had influenced our booking were out of order. We were also told that the only lift was out of order - not a problem for us, but most of the clientele were at least 70 years old, so quite challenging for them. Dinner was good, and the service was good.
Breakfast was a different matter. One coffee machine with a touch screen which most of the (elderly) guests seemed to look at as if it were just a TV screen. Eventually got our coffees and returned to our table. Placed our breakfast order. After 30 minutes it had still not arrived. Server said it was “on its way”. After 45 minutes another apologetic server said that the tickets had been lost. Breakfast eventually arrived after 50 minutes and was good.
Overall it needs a complete refresh of the rooms, carpeting and decorating of the corridors.
On my last visit I would have described the hotel as great, now only average.

Friends_and_family Friends

10/10

Exceptional

19 Sep 2025

Brian

Extensive grounds

8/10

Excellent

26 Aug 2025

Lana

Lovely hotel with great walks around.
The tea tray was dirty as was some areas of the bathroom in the room.
Other than that the hotel itself was beautiful and the gold grounds were so pretty.

I wasn’t feeling great on my first night and the room was brilliant for cwtching in and a hot bath seemed to sort it.
I travelled alone and found it pleasant and catered for every type of traveller.

Leisure Self

10/10

Exceptional

06 Jun 2025

Ian

Lovely trip away. The hotel was great. Rooms were clean and well maintained. The staff were very friendly and helpful.

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

28 May 2025

Giles

Great location, friendly staff, good facilities

Leisure Partner

10/10

Exceptional

27 May 2025

Jennifer

Beautiful location set amongst the greens of a golf course and access down to the sea. Welcoming. Lovely room with quality products (apart from the hair dryer). We enjoyed use of the spa facilities. Great value stay. An older building but it’s been modernised well in most areas.

Leisure Partner

10/10

Exceptional

26 May 2025

Lyndsey

Beautiful rooms, clean and comfortable. Reception, the cleaning staff and restaurant staff were so friendly and helpful.
The spa treatments were amazing!! Special shout out to poppy and karen who are brilliant at what they do! I could have stayed all day in the tranquil space they created.

Leisure Self

10/10

Exceptional

25 May 2025

Louise

Lovely room in a beautiful hotel with great facilities and a delicious breakfast. Thank you, I will be back!

Leisure Self

8/10

Excellent

11 May 2025

Preetam

The lady on reception called Wendy is just so wonderful, she spoilt our dogs! She was so kind and her service brilliant.

We stayed with our dogs. It’s a £20 surcharge per night for dogs. Grounds are lovely. Lovely walk to the river from the hotel. Breakfast was great. Two pubs nearby to eat at, the red lion (great old pub food) or the waterfront Inn by the river which has gorgeous views. You need to park up the road and walk down.

The bedrooms and bathroom are a bit dated , but the restaurant and bar area modern.
Grounds are beautiful.
Staff lovely !
Indoor pool and outdoor hot tub.
Dogs loved it !

Leisure Friends

8/10

Excellent

30 Apr 2025

denise

Beautiful grounds

Leisure Partner

10/10

Exceptional

04 Jan 2025

Susan

Relaxing two night break

Relaxing two night break including breakfast and room service. Quality of food was excellent. Service was also excellent. The room was a very good size with a bath and separate toilet. The hotel is dog friendly and there is a great walk through the gardens, golf course and onwards to the South West coast path.

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

30 Dec 2024

Dan

Overall all the stay was fantastic. The only negative thing to point out was the extremely small table that accompanied the chairs in the bedroom where the chair cercumfrance size was larger than the actual table. The table was more suited for a single lamp and not for two people to share coffee and a room service tray. I just seemed misplaced when the room has space capacity for a larger table.
Other than that I couldn’t fault it. Breakfast and evening meals were exquisite

Friends_and_family Family

10/10

Exceptional

08 Nov 2024

Sam

Great little find.

Great little find. I booked the suit even though there was very little information about it and only a singular photo.
It was amazing, comfortable and across 3 rooms. It had a small kitchenette including fridge.
The grounds are lovely and they are super dog friendly.

Self

10/10

Exceptional

28 Sep 2024

RICH

Unique hotel out in the countryside. All amenities 1 could ask 4

Leisure Self

8/10

Excellent

20 Sep 2024

Matt

just do food earlier

beautiful hotel, stunning location great staff
Car charging is poor out of date
Food starts at 7 and 730pm should be from 6pm for the tired traveller
breakfast could start at 730am for the business type wanting to get up and go

Business

8/10

Excellent

28 Jul 2024

Malcolm

The hotel is well resourced and has decent facilities and dining options, the rooms were modern and well presented. We did have an issue with the TV and shower draining very slowly (which we reported) but otherwise we were very happy with our stay. The reason for not giving them a 4 star and not a 5 star is that the corridors were very dated and could do with a refreshed look. I also think they could have a communal TV in the lounge area. The staff were helpful throughout so full marks there :)

Leisure Partner

10/10

Exceptional

17 Jul 2024

Nicholas P

Nice place

Lovely

Business

10/10

Exceptional

01 Jul 2024

Paula

From arriving at the hotel to leaving all staff members we met or passed were happy and friendly.
Highlight of our stay was the lovely room overlooking the golf course and not forgetting the most luxurious bed!
Both receptionist on check in and check out were super friendly and interested as to how our stay and break was. Also need to mention Ryan who was on the bar on Saturday night what a lovely young man.
My husband enjoyed two golf sessions over the weekend with our son which they both thoroughly enjoyed it was a wonderful stay in a beautiful hotel and yes, we will definitely be back. We didn’t get to use the spa facilities as we were visiting friends in the area. But on our list for next time.

Leisure Partner

8/10

Excellent

28 May 2024

Bronwen

A beautiful getaway in serene surroundings

A beautiful getaway in serene surroundings in a lovely traditional hotel. There is lots to do on a longer stay but we enjoyed our one night break.

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

19 May 2024

Lorna

Our second stay here and was given a beautiful room lovely and clean. Loved being able to park the car and use the leisure facilities and walk in the beautiful gardens down to the river. Some walks involve more challenging terrain but well worth the effort to see places on the river. Service was excellent and breakfast was plentiful with great choice.

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

01 May 2024

Adam

Lovely settings

Business Self

10/10

Exceptional

08 Jan 2024

Helen

Hi
We liked the service and the food was excellent on New Years Eve ambiance was wonderful, we loved the fireworks and everything.
We had a lovely room, contemporary, spacious and clean.
All lovely.
xx

Leisure Partner

4/10

Poor

02 Jan 2024

Craig

Never Again

Extremely rude and lazy restaurant staff. Cold sauna. Will not return.

Business

10/10

Exceptional

13 Nov 2023

Jeremy

The room was fantastic. Dining and bar areas very stylish and comfortable. Extensive grounds(65 acres) are very beautiful. Some of the leisure areas starting to look a little in need of refurbishment. Overall though, a relaxing, quiet and restful place to stay.

Leisure Partner

8/10

Excellent

28 Sep 2023

James

Lovely stay but needs updating

Beautiful hotel in a stunning location. Service was amazing, dinner was delicious and our room was very comfortable and modern.
However, the corridors looked very outdated, the spa area was also very tired looking (and had carpet around the pool which was stained in places) and the bathrobes in the rooms could be replaced.
Cooked breakfast was also delicious, but the cold selection was limited - maybe some more continental and fresh fruit would be good.
Overall we had a lovely stay but it didn't feel the 5* expense that it was.

Business Partner

6/10

Pleasant

17 Aug 2023

Linda

Beautiful setting on the helford river, hotel very tired & pool needs updating resembles a public pool. Breakfast not great stone cold poached egg & sauté potatoes cold, coffee very bitter. We were told next day breakfast will be ok today there is a different chef on 😳

Leisure Partner

8/10

Excellent

06 Apr 2023

Elizabeth

Lovely refurbished room offered to us as an upgrade. Really nice! The green areas are amazing, except that at this time of the year there was little water at the river. The swimming pool and some other areas still need a refurbishment but were still ok and very clean. The service from everyone was superb.

Leisure Family_with_children

8/10

Excellent

14 Nov 2022

Lesley

Quiet hotel

Very good. However you need to advise front desk if going out in evening. We went to Falmouth for supper on Friday and arrived back at 10pm. No one other than reception there.
We advised desk and came back on Saturday at just after midnight and got key from night porter.
May be useful if you do not want a quiet stay .
Everyone very friendly and helpful.

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

01 Sep 2022

tom

One of the best hotels I visited. Amazing river and garden, golf and really nice pool. But the best thing we’re the staff. From breakfast to dinner or drinks at the bar, they were so nice and welcoming and the food was delicious. We stayed in the signature room and it’s very big and has a very comfortable bed. Very recommended for families.

Leisure Family_with_children

6/10

Pleasant

24 Aug 2022

Malcolm

Disappointing stay

Wanted a short break and a massage in the spa only to be told they were fully booked!
No air conditioning in the room

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

27 Mar 2022

Wendy

Fabulous

We had a fabulous stay here. The staff were all extremely friendly. Would definitely recommend.

Partner

6/10

Pleasant

28 Feb 2022

Geoffrey

Hot and Cold!

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Begin forwarded message:

Strengths:

Excellent room
Food and wine excellent
Beautiful gardens
Good amenities- pool, sauna, hot tub
Elemis toiletries
Mo, Nick and Farrel bar staff

Not good:
Poor welcome and leaving: impersonal, uninterested, wrong information. No ‘hope you enjoyed your stay, see you again etc….’ This reflected the whole stay- individual elements excellent but overall ambience cold, unwelcoming and impersonal.
Additionally, we were made to feel odd because we didn’t want a 4 course meal and therefore weren’t allowed to eat in the Dining room ! We were banished to the cold, empty Conservatory where we huddled by a radiator. The 3 staff mentioned above were brilliant but what a ridiculous and excluding rule - only being allowed into the Dining room if you were willing to eat the full wack- in an age of obesity and dealing with older clients, should they not cater for smaller appetites? We were humiliated and embarrassed- and got extremely cold. When we told the manageress the next day, there was no apology or even sympathy. Not interested.
It was also my birthday ( which they knew). We always go away for our birthdays and the chefs invariably do a little flourish or something to acknowledge the occasion- not here. Again totally uninterested.
We will not come here again- despite its strengths, the ambience is cold and cheerless. Very different from previous ownership. Shame.

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

06 Nov 2021

Jennifer

A fun and relaxing break

Overall we had a brilliant time; we made good use of all the facilities and were well looked after. Covid precautions were strong but we were relaxed and comfortable.

Friends_and_family Friends

6/10

Pleasant

01 Nov 2020

Lisa

The food in the evening was great, breakfast a bit lack of choices (might be due to Covid-19). We stayed in the hotel 4 nights and it was at after the 3rd night they would swop towels, make the beds etc. Understandable this is due to covid-19, but then paying £200 per night is bit stiff.

Leisure Family_with_children

10/10

Exceptional

03 Oct 2020

Verified traveler

Excellent hotel but for elderly guests too far from Falmouth down slow roads.

Leisure

10/10

Exceptional

28 Sep 2020

Asit

Great location for garden visits and river cruise

Leisure Self

10/10

Exceptional

31 Aug 2020

Mark

Staff as helpful as ever. Lovely surroundings and managed well in this strange time. Food really good and overall a very relaxing and great value break.

Self

10/10

Exceptional

30 Oct 2019

Verified traveler

Lovely location with easy access to the Helford Estuary and the coastal path; excellent restaurant and food. Well appointed public rooms and a very welcome dress code for dinner (prior warning would have been helpful!)

My one observation is that the hot tub was poorly maintained and could have dome with some attention, both maintenance and cleanliness.

Leisure Partner

10/10

Exceptional

26 Oct 2019

Nicholas

Wonderful stay

Superlative guest experience from beginning to end. Beautiful room, fantastic amenities, wonderful breakfasts and friendly and professional service from Sam and all the staff. Would love to stay again.

Self

10/10

Exceptional

07 Oct 2019

Verified traveler

Had a great stay, staff where great, one waitress in particular Chloe was very helpful and polite and made us feel welcome at dinner.

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

02 Sep 2019

Verified traveler

Something for everyone. The golf course is an excellent for a 9 hole .

Leisure Friends

10/10

Exceptional

25 Aug 2019

Verified traveler

It is a wonderful setting in the heat of the Cornish countryside with a unique(?) wooden rotunda roof in the swimming pool.

Leisure Self

8/10

Excellent

02 Aug 2019

Rob

Needs improvement

Room perfect
Dining room truly awful
Average breakfast
Bar staff perfectly polite and chatty but just not enough of them and therefore poor service

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

22 Jul 2019

Verified traveler

Lovely setting, tranquil, beautiful old hotel like stepping back in time. Staff were very good. Excellent breakfast! Lovely refurbished room.

Leisure Partner

8/10

Excellent

18 Jul 2019

William

Our yearly visit.

Thoroughly enjoyed our stay as usual. Food and service excellent. Slightly disappointed with the evening entertainment. Pianist excellent but two nights of very boring guitar music. As a guitar player myself ( William ) I know guitar music can be much more lively whether it is acoustic folk or more popular tunes that people can relate to. Much better last year, or maybe we just missed the good ones when we were being entertained by family on 2 evenings.
Hope to see you again next year.

Partner

8/10

Excellent

15 Jul 2019

Great location. Peaceful hotel sure to relax

GREAT location!! However a bit dated in the room itself

Business

10/10

Exceptional

14 Jul 2019

Verified traveler

A very relaxing stay, beautiful surroundings! Staff and service excellent. Wonderful views from our Superior Room. Very clean and comfortable bedrooms. Nothing was too much trouble. Brilliant walks all around the estate and as we took our small dog, he was made very welcome and enjoyed exploring the area with us. Will definitely return!

Leisure Family

10/10

Exceptional

17 Jun 2019

Verified traveler

The location of the hotel was exceptional, the grounds very beautiful. It was a very peaceful and relaxing environment. The public areas were attractive and traditional as befits a building of this age. However whilst my room had the most amazing views, a great size and comfortable bed I did find the decor rather dated and the bathroom and fittings past their best. Other than that couldn’t fault it.

Leisure Partner