A self-catering weekend break in Cornwall seemed like a wonderful idea for Bonfire Night. We decided to try out Hawke’s Point Apartments at Carbis Bay, just up the road from St Ives in Cornwall. Their website is very good and it looked like the perfect place for us to head off for a weekend.

The journey from Oxfordshire took us just over 5 hours with a couple
of urgent toilet breaks but we made good time. The Satnav took us straight to the door, perfect!

The first thing we noticed that was different about Hawke’s Point is
that there is no Reception. You just arrive, put in the security code
on the gate to gain access, and then put in the code on the key holder
with your apartment number and collect your key. So as long as you arrive
after 4 pm you can check in at whatever time you wish. This would be ideal
for those who are coming from further afield who might not arrive until
late.

We had a Penthouse apartment which had the most glorious view of Carbis
Bay and St Ives on the headland. I’m talking, floor to ceiling seascape…not
just a little patch of blue in the distance!

When we entered the apartment we were struck by the size of the place – it’s uncluttered and very spacious. This was great having two boisterous boys.
The furniture is modern, of great quality and extremely comfortable, the boys soon made themselves at home clambering on the huge corner-suite sofa! As we looked around we noted all the little touches that changed
this from a standard self-catering apartment into something very special
- vases of fresh flowers, little bottles of Ren toiletries in the bathroom
as well as fluffy white robes and towels for everyone, essential foods
in the kitchen to get you started including a chilled bottle of champers,
an ordanance survey map of the area and an information book, packed full
or recommended restaurants and places to go!

The kitchen is fitted out with every piece of equipment you could need
and some extras that were a pleasure to have such as a juicer, an expresso
maker, a good size dishwasher, washing machine and dryer! This was feeling
like the home I’d always wanted!

The crockery is all beautiful bone china (be careful round the little ones, easily broken) and the cutlery is gleaming Vilroy and Boch. Every electrical item is branded with names such as Dualit, Bose and Neff.

To keep the children happy during the dark early evenings we made use of the DVD player and DVDs provided and the fantastic Wii and Wii Sports Game – I think I’ve played enough tennis now!! The boys were enthralled with the ornate but working brass telescope which made the seascape all
the more interesting for them, as well as looking at the stars and moon come night time. There are board games too, which we did actually use.

So what is there to do? Well Carbis Bay itself is simply gorgeous comprising
golden sand and turquoise sea. The sea goes out quite a long way which
left plenty of room for an impromptu game of footie! Then we took the
little branch line train to St Ives (cost for family of four, return,
just £4). St Ives is the prettiest little Cornish seaside town complete
with the Tate Gallery and many lovely little beaches and a harbour; quaint
little shops and Cornish pasties to die for! We also took a trip up to
Godrevy Point (by car) and got to see some wild seals! If we’d had more
time we’d have taken a trip down to Penzance, Land’s End and south to
Mousehole and St Michael’s Mount. Going back to the apartment was a joy
though and the boys were happy to be going back to the Wii!

For your essentials there’s a Tesco a couple of mins drive away and a Boots Chemist at the top of the road just a minute’s walk uphill. For coffee-lovers there’s a Costa about 10 minutes drive away as well as an M&S and Next.

We choose to have a small food hamper from www.food4myholiday.com delivered to our apartment to start us off.

The food is not only delivered to your apartment for your arrival but it’s also put away, so when you arrive you have all you need. This company do various hampers and deliver
all over Cornwall, all the produce is locally sourced. The food is all tasty and fresh and so I highly recommended their service. If you are eating out for the weekend, you don’t really need much else!

No breakage deposit is taken by Hawke’s Point, they don’t want people
to be worried that a small breakage will be charged to their debit/credit
card. They welcome families and understand that accidents do happen.

I’d definitely recommend these apartments for families, especially the
Garden apartments which have a lovely grassy area accessed via the patio
door. This area is shared with your neighbour but is plenty big enough
for two families. There is also a rear patio which is enclosed, perfect
for keeping your little ones safe and in view. If you have young children
then all your baby equipment needs are met as they can provide, for no
extra charge, high chairs, chair booster seats and cots which are in your
apartment waiting for you. All of the rooms can easily accommodate a cot
and the apartments on the upper floors can be reached easily with a lift,
so no trouble with the buggy.

I’d also recommend these apartments for couples for a romantic break
away, and indeed it would be fabulous for friends to come here and share
an apartment – splitting the cost!

Hawke’s Point is a family business that was only launched in May 2009, so it’s still relatively new. The family have poured their hearts into their apartments and you can tell! They genuinely take pleasure in giving their holiday makers the time of their life.

The price? Ok well it’s not ‘cheap’, but for what you get it represents
excellent value for money. When comparing taking two small children to Spain in a hotel where you don’t actually know what standard of accommodation you’re going to get and all the hassle of air travel, then I’d say a week in Carbis Bay at the Hawke’s Point Apartments is much better. Excellence
is guaranteed and all you have to do is drive there! The sun does shine
in Cornwall, a lot! The scenary is outstanding and it’s all here on our
doorstep.

When we left the boys were sad and so were we. We’re definitely going
back, but this time it’ll be for a week, because a weekend just wasn’t
enough!!!

Reviewed by Louise, Alan and their boys, Jason (12) and Joshua
(5)

Prices start from £290 for a long weekend and £420 for seven nights
in a balcony apartment.

For more information and online booking visit www.hawkes-point.co.uk