Cornish Americana
Words by Jamie Crocker
Palm Court Retreats brings an eclectic American influence to the Cornish coast.
The first thing you notice about Palm Court Retreats is the veranda, with white steps rising to its front porch. Just minutes from Polperro, its painted timber, deep eaves and generous proportions feel more California than Cornwall. That is no accident. Palm Court was built in the 1930s by an American architect and, when Luca and her husband discovered it in 2021, they saw the potential to create something distinctive.
The interiors have evolved through years of travel, drawing on Ibiza, California, the East and West Coasts and The Hamptons. Neutral colours and natural materials such as rattan and jute are offset by colourful artwork and music memorabilia, reflecting Luca’s husband’s career in the music industry. Original signed posters sit alongside a pastel palette inspired by Kelly Wearstler’s California Collection for Farrow & Ball. Even the seasonal playlists have been curated to complement the mood.
Designed for larger groups, Palm Court has six individually styled bedrooms, a games room with pool table and large-screen television, and a dining room seating 12 around a bespoke table. Outside are two terraces, one with a fire pit and the other with lounge seating, plus a hot tub.
Palm Lodge, new for 2026, offers a more intimate alternative. This two-bedroom, wood-clad American ranch-style house combines the coastal character of the Hamptons and Nantucket with influences from Ralph Lauren. Americana prints and carefully chosen furnishings give it a distinct personality, making it well suited to couples, romantic breaks and walkers. The properties can be booked separately or together.
Their generous spaces also lend themselves to creative and wellbeing retreats, with room for yoga and other practices. Facilitators can dry-hire the properties, with local chefs, teachers and activities arranged as required.
Autumn and winter bring a different appeal to Polperro, with quieter beaches, coastal walks and cosy pubs free from the summer crowds. At Palm Court Retreats, it’s a chance to slow down, whether gathering around the dining table at Palm Court, with its two log fires and welcoming reception rooms, or settling into Palm Lodge, where wood-clad interiors and a log burner create a cosy ranch-style hideaway.
After a bracing walk, the Blue Peter Inn offers a warm welcome, a pint and live music. And with Christmas approaching, booking both properties together creates an inviting setting for a larger family gathering, with plenty of space for everyone to relax and enjoy time together – with an added touch of luxury.
