A curated portfolio

Words by Jamie Crocker

From snug shepherd huts to cosy country cottages, via relaxing retreats by the coast, an inviting array of holiday properties stands ready to be discovered.

If the draw of the west has already caught you in its thrall, then Cornwall and Devon Hideaways should be the lifeline that you reach for to ensure that your stay in one of these two wonderful counties is near perfect. With over 35 years in the business of providing cordial and exceptional accommodation for families, couples and like-minded friends, their collection is pre-eminent in a very competitive market. We find out why. 

Cornwall and Devon Hideaways feature a diverse range of properties. How do you curate and select these properties to ensure each offers a unique experience?

Curating our collection is all about capturing the true spirit of the counties. We hand-select each property with a simple goal in mind: to ensure every guest experiences an authentic slice of Cornish or Devon life. Our portfolio is intentionally diverse, spanning everything from cosy country cottages to contemporary luxury homes. Each property must offer something genuinely special. Whether that’s its location, features, history, or the thoughtful touches that make a stay memorable.

We also look closely at the lifestyle each home can offer. Some of our retreats come with unique features like yoga studios, heated swimming pools, wood-fired hot tubs, or even a home gym! Others provide practical comforts such as high-speed Wi-Fi and dedicated home offices for guests, balancing work with time away. And because Cornwall and Devon are best enjoyed with the whole family, we’re proud to include plenty of dog-friendly cottages.

Cornwall and Devon are known for their dramatic coastline and artistic heritage. How do you ensure guests can access and enjoy the very best of what the region has to offer during their stay?

We’re proud to collaborate with a wonderful selection of local businesses across the counties, offering our guests exclusive discounts and rewards that bring the very best of the region within easy reach. A week before arrival, guests receive the latest bespoke vouchers straight to their inbox, helping them plan unforgettable days out with ease.

Our websites feature a beautifully curated local guide showcasing upcoming events, standout attractions and unmissable experiences, and ahead of their stay, our social media channels offer regular inspiration through insider tips, captivating imagery and behind-the-scenes moments.

Once they arrive, a thoughtfully prepared welcome folder awaits in their holiday home, brimming with local insights and trusted suggestions.

Your website highlights bespoke services and local experiences. Could you elaborate on how you tailor these experiences for different types of guests, from families to couples seeking a quiet escape?

We know that no two holidays are the same. Each guest arrives with their own vision of the perfect break, so we take great care to tailor our services and recommendations to suit everyone.

Our collection of exclusive discounts from trusted local partners, paired with our comprehensive online guide, helps guests shape their stay around the experiences they love most. Each bespoke service and local experience is carefully chosen to suit different styles of getaway, making it easy for guests to plan days that feel their own.For anything more, our friendly team is always on hand, before and during the stay, to offer knowledgeable, heartfelt recommendations.

Many guests come to Cornwall or Devon seeking tranquillity or inspiration. Can you share a story of a particularly memorable stay or guest experience that reflects this?

One stay that truly captures our ethos is that of Fraser and Tracy, full-time travellers and filmmakers known as Unlikely Explorers. After years spent journeying across Europe in their 4x4 off-grid campervan with their dogs, Bear and Womble, they had crafted a life couched in freedom and open horizons.

Earlier this year, their travels took an unexpected and painful turn when Bear was diagnosed with a serious bone cancer. In search of peace and a place to simply breathe, they discovered a secluded eco-cabin through Devon Hideaways. Tucked away in woodland, the retreat offered something they hadn’t felt in months: stillness and privacy.

From the moment they arrived, Fraser and Tracy described feeling a profound sense of calm. Thoughtful touches from our team, like a handwritten card and fresh flowers, made their stay feel really personal. In their own words, it restored a sense of normality they feared they’d lost.

Sustainability and responsible tourism are increasingly important. How do you ensure that your properties and operations are environmentally conscious, while still delivering luxury and comfort?

We believe that true luxury should exist in harmony with the environment. Sustainability is central to how we operate, so we work closely with our property owners and local partners to ensure this.

We’re proud supporters of Wildlife Trusts across the United Kingdom and Cornwall Hideaways are honoured to be Gold Members of the Wilder Business Network. 

Our environmental ethos extends to the way waste is managed across our portfolio. We collaborate with sustainable waste-collection partners throughout the region and any remaining waste is sent to the Cornwall Energy Recovery Centre, where it is transformed into energy for the National Grid. Even the ash by-product is repurposed: metals are extracted and recycled, and the remaining material is used as aggregate in road construction. 

How do you incorporate local traditions, artisan crafts, or regional storytelling into the guest experience?

At the heart of our approach is a genuine love for Devon and Cornwall. We believe a holiday here should feel rooted in the region’s character, and we weave that sense of place into every stay. Many of our properties offer thoughtfully put-together welcome hampers featuring local products, from artisan preserves to handmade treats. 

Several of our owners enjoy providing these themselves, often adding their own personal touches, such as fresh eggs or milk from their farm, to give guests an immediate connection to the area.

We share locally written walking guides, folklore collections, and our own curated recommendations to help guests uncover the legends of the Southwest, whether that’s exploring old smugglers’ coves, learning about tin-mining history, or discovering ghost stories along the coastal paths.

Homeowners often enrich this further by sharing their own stories - perhaps the history behind a lovingly converted barn or the family tale behind a piece of artwork hanging on the wall. These layers of personal and regional storytelling ensure each stay feels meaningful, memorable and unmistakably Devon or Cornwall.

In an era dominated by online bookings and digital experiences, what do you think is lost, or gained, by choosing an independent, curated holiday over a mass-market option?

In an era where holidays can be booked in seconds and destinations chosen by algorithms, something vital is often lost. Choosing an independent, curated stay allows guests to step away from the cookie-cutter approach and enjoy an experience that is both personal and authentic. Every property in our portfolio has been personally visited and assessed by our team, ensuring it meets our exacting standards for quality, comfort and character.

Guests can connect directly with our friendly, local team, who are always on hand to offer tailored advice, insider knowledge, and recommendations suited to their interests. 

Beyond the homes themselves, curated holidays support local communities, artisans, and businesses, providing guests with connections and experiences that simply cannot be replicated through mass-market operators. 

Cornwall and Devon attract millions of visitors every year, yet there are tensions between tourism and local community life. How do you see Cornwall and Devon Hideaways contributing positively to the local economy and preserving the character of the region?

We actively support local economies by partnering with independent businesses, offering guests experiences that highlight the county’s unique shops, restaurants and attractions. Through our Guest Rewards and exclusive local guides, visitors are encouraged to explore beyond the well-trodden tourist paths, directing their spending to smaller, family-run enterprises and helping sustain local livelihoods. Our approach creates a positive cycle, safeguarding the county’s heritage for generations to come.

Luxury tourism can sometimes feel detached from the place itself. How do you ensure that a stay with Cornwall or Devon Hideaways is not just comfortable, but based within the local culture?

We believe that true luxury is about more than plush interiors and the latest appliances; it’s about connection. Every stay is paired with opportunities for guests to immerse themselves in the local culture – to us, that is the real luxury.

We recommend local food producers, intimate galleries, historic landmarks, and lesser-known coastal paths that let guests feel the rhythm of the county. 

Looking ahead, how do you envision the role of Cornwall and Devon Hideaways evolving in the next five to ten years, particularly in terms of redefining what it means to have an authentic, high-end holiday?

We see Cornwall and Devon Hideaways continuing to redefine what it means to enjoy an authentic, high-end holiday. Over the next five to ten years, our focus will remain on curating experiences that combine comfort, luxury and a sense of place, while embracing sustainability and local culture. We envision expanding our portfolio of hand-selected properties that reflect the region’s diversity, from historic cottages and contemporary coastal retreats to eco-conscious hideaways. Alongside this, we plan to deepen our partnerships with local artisans, producers, and experience providers, ensuring guests can engage with Cornwall and Devon in ways that are meaningful and memorable. 

Digital tools will continue to enhance the planning process, but we will maintain the human touch that sets independent travel apart: our team will be on hand to offer advice, insider knowledge tailored to each guest’s interests.

Ultimately, we aim to set the standard for luxury holidays in the region – one where sophistication and comfort sit hand in hand with local engagement and a genuine sense of belonging. 

cornwallhideaways.co.uk

devonhideaways.co.uk