Drink the wild air
- Jul 20
- 4 min read
Words by Rosie Cattrell
As though set into the cliff face itself, The Lookout draws you out into the endless seascape that wraps itself around this unique self-catering residence.
As Jacques Cousteau so beautifully put in his 1971 book Life and Death in a Coral Sea, “The sea, once it casts its spell, holds one in its net of wonder forever.” Lingering barefooted in the sunlit warmth of The Lookout’s decked balcony, it certainly feels that way. There is a certain pull that draws your gaze along Newquay’s beach-speckled north coast and out across an endless expanse of ocean. With the day’s first coffee held in both hands, elbows resting on the glass balustrade, a hypnotic calm seems to descend, seasoned with sea salt air.
The latest addition to The Cornwall Hotel Collection, The Atlantic in Newquay joined an established group of historic luxury hotels across the Duchy this March to sit alongside The Greenbank, The Falmouth and The Alverton. While enhancements are expected to be introduced gradually to bring it up to scratch with its thriving sister hotels, The Lookout stands apart as a jewel in the collection’s ever-expanding crown. A first for the Cornish hotelier group, the recently completed residence represents an unusual opportunity for guests to relish the freedom that comes with a self-catering property, with the added comfort of The Atlantic’s leisure facilities and warm hospitality.
Set only steps from the hotel’s grand entrance, an unassuming white door gives no hint as to the diamond within. A turn of the key and a small flight of stairs invite curious guests to round the corner and discover for themselves what it truly means to fall under the spell of Cornwall’s wild north coast. At first, the apartment’s carefully curated interiors may go unnoticed. Caught in the pull of the panoramic seascape framed in floor-to-ceiling glass, suitcases have a habit of slipping from loosening fingers to be momentarily forgotten. A cream grand piano stands patiently to the side, and brand-new furnishings await appreciation as the first few minutes are lost to the quiet comprehension of the view. Vast, all-encompassing and inescapable, this is the draw of The Lookout.
To the right, the sweep of beaches that edge Newquay’s border, each beckoning sea swimmers and sunbathers alike. To the left, a vast horizon that begs exploration with a set of binoculars as gulls drift in the warm air overhead.
Once the first glance begins to digest, the enchanting interiors can no longer be ignored. Thoughtfully designed by a local designer, the living area centres around the breathtaking vista that surrounds it on three sides. A luxurious sink-into sofa made for friends and families to gather together at the day’s beginning and end needs no other focus than the scene outside, although a mid-sized television means cosy film nights are always on the cards.
Cool creams and blues set a tranquil tone, with luxurious cushions and textiles inviting a moment of calm with a glass of something chilled in hand. A large contemporary dining table with comfortable navy blue chairs caters for evenings spent setting the world to rights, and the welcome hamper waiting on the kitchen counter offers a bottle or two to pop in the fridge and some local treats to try.
Downstairs, a soft cream carpet leads you into the impressive master suite, where a comfortable super king bed is positioned to make you feel set adrift out on the tides, lulled to sleep before waking again to endless sparkling seas. A cosy sofa bed makes room for two more guests in a more intimate sitting area, warmed with burnt orange furnishings.
Through a set of double doors, another bedroom houses twin beds and a set of bunk beds, made for hushed, conspirative conversations of memories already made and adventures ahead. A spacious, modern bathroom with a walk-in waterfall shower means sandy toes can be rinsed in comfort, while walk-in wardrobes suggest there’s no need to live out of the suitcase.
Ahead of its official opening in June, The Lookout welcomed actress Helen Flanagan and her family as its first guests. “We’ve had the loveliest stay in Cornwall at the brand-new luxury residence, The Lookout at The Atlantic Hotel in Newquay,” she admitted on Instagram. “It’s such a stunning family space and the perfect little escape together. The Lookout opens soon and honestly... it’s so special.”
Wandering from room to room, it’s easy to imagine little ones claiming preferred bunk beds, gazing out across the water to pick the beach of the day, or wrapping up warm in one of the Atlantic blankets from the basket by the balcony for a night of stargazing on one of the sun loungers. And yet the apartment also paints a picture of friends gathering for endless days and sun-soaked evenings in each other’s company, raising a glass to fleeting moments together.
“The Lookout represents an exciting new chapter for The Atlantic and we’re delighted to have welcomed so many guests through the door,” says Ben Young, Managing Director of The Cornwall Hotel Collection. “We’ve always believed in celebrating the unique character and setting of our hotels and The Lookout does exactly that – showcasing one of the most spectacular coastal locations in Cornwall while creating a beautiful space for families and friends to come together.
As custodians of some of Cornwall’s most loved historic hotels, we take great pride in investing thoughtfully and sensitively, ensuring these special places continue to be enjoyed for generations to come. The Lookout is a wonderful example of that approach and a glimpse of the exciting future ahead.”
With The Atlantic’s spa facilities on hand, a spell in the sauna and steam rooms or a dip in the indoor heated pool come free of charge and a seat in Silk’s Bar and Restaurant is always available for those who’d like to book in advance. When the first cup of coffee is drunk and the day is laid out ahead from the balcony’s rare vantage point, there’s no end to the possibilities that a stay at The Lookout offers, each day full of promise. After all, in places like this, where the natural world invites the kind of quiet immersion Ralph Waldo Emerson so admired, it’s easy to “live in the sunshine, swim the sea and drink the wild air.”
