Antonia's Pearls

Antonia's Pearls in Charlestown Harbour, United Kingdom, a Michelin Key Selected property, offers a collection of exquisitely renovated Grade II listed villas and cottages that consistently receive glowing reviews for their charm, comfort, and prime location within a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

1. Overall Rating & Sentiment

The overall sentiment for Antonia's Pearls is overwhelmingly positive, with guests frequently describing their stays as "perfect," "exceptional," and "an absolute gem." Review scores are consistently high, often reaching 9.7 out of 10 for overall experience, comfort, and staff, and a perfect 10 for location. Guests praise the attention to detail and the feeling of a "home from home" with luxurious touches.

2. Key Highlights

Guests consistently rave about several key aspects:

• Design & Comfort: The properties are impeccably restored with bright, contemporary interiors that blend neutral tones with vintage ceramics, reflecting Charlestown's history. Gleaming white floorboards, antique dressers, clawfoot tubs, and fluffy feather duvets contribute to a luxurious yet cozy atmosphere. Each unit, whether a snug cabin or a grand Georgian townhouse, is ingeniously laid out and filled with beautiful objects.
• Location: The setting directly on Charlestown Harbour, a historic Georgian port and UNESCO World Heritage site, is a major draw. Guests appreciate the proximity to the harbour's tall ships, beaches, restaurants, pubs, and cafes, all within an easy stroll.
• Service: The hospitality provided by Antonia and her husband, David, is frequently highlighted. They are described as friendly, helpful, accommodating, and thoughtful, offering excellent local recommendations and even tailoring their hosting style to individual guests.
• Amenities: Well-equipped kitchens with top-brand appliances, private gardens and outdoor dining areas, real fireplaces, Smart TVs, and good Wi-Fi are highly valued by guests. The option for in-room spa treatments and yoga sessions is also a unique highlight.

3. Room Quality

The individual properties (Marine Villa, The Sea Cabin, The Sail Loft, The Pearl, The Studio, The Cottage) offer distinct but equally luxurious experiences. Rooms feature super-king sized beds with premium, hypo-allergenic bedding, ensuring exceptional comfort. Bathrooms often boast cast iron freestanding baths and powerful showers. The design is consistently described as stylish, comfortable, and immaculate, with thoughtful finishing touches. Some units, like the Sea Cabin, feature glass-covered sitting/dining rooms for an "inside-outside" living experience.

4. Dining Experience

While Antonia's Pearls primarily offers self-catering accommodation with fully equipped kitchens, a notable dining feature is the owner's ability to provide delicious, often organic, homemade meals and "brilliant breakfast boxes" delivered directly to the guests. These breakfast boxes, which can be pre-ordered, include items like homemade granola, organic yogurt, jam, honey, and local Atlantic salmon with eggs. For those preferring to dine out, Charlestown offers various restaurants, pubs, and cafes within walking distance.

5. Service & Staff

Antonia and David, the owners, are consistently praised for their exceptional hospitality. Guests describe them as "wonderful" and "friendly," going above and beyond to ensure a memorable stay. They offer personalized recommendations for the area, can arrange spa treatments or yoga, and provide a wealth of baby and child equipment for families.

6. Location & Accessibility

Antonia's Pearls is ideally situated in Charlestown Harbour, a historic village with UNESCO World Heritage status. The properties offer easy access to the waterfront, local beaches, and a selection of restaurants, pubs, a wine bar, a cafe, and antique shops, all within a short stroll. The location is also perfect for exploring wider Cornwall, with the Eden Project and the Lost Gardens of Heligan approximately a 15-minute drive away. St Austell, with a mainline train station, is a 10-minute drive, and Newquay Airport is about 35 minutes away. While a car is recommended for exploring beyond Charlestown, parking is available.

7. Value & Pricing

Pricing for Antonia's Pearls varies by property and season. Nightly rates can range from approximately £185 for a studio to £565 for a larger house, with weekly rates from £1295 to £3955. There are additional charges for extra guests, with children under 12 costing £50 per night and adults £100 per night. Continental breakfast is available for an additional fee of approximately £20 per adult or child. Given the luxurious accommodation, prime location, bespoke service, and Michelin Key selection, guests generally consider Antonia's Pearls to be worth the cost for a high-quality, memorable stay.

8. Common Complaints

While guest feedback is overwhelmingly positive, a few minor considerations have been noted:

• Compact Rooms/Low Beams: Some cottages and cabins are described as compact, with cosily-sized rooms and occasional low beams. However, they are also noted for being cleverly arranged.
• Cancellation Policy: There can be a strict cancellation policy, which guests should be aware of when booking.
• Stairs: Some properties may be tricky for guests with difficulty with stairs, although The Loft is noted as an exception.
• Outdoor Spaces for Children: There's a caution that outdoor spaces, such as balconies, patios, and terraces, may not be entirely suitable for unsupervised children due to potential unprotected drops in the historic harbour setting.

Sources

1. floathomes.com
2. charmingsmallhotels.co.uk
3. booking.com
4. antoniaspearls.co.uk
5. michelin.com
6. britainsfinest.co.uk
7. i-escape.com
8. vrbo.com
9. expedia.co.uk
10. sawdays.co.uk