Our top 10 blog posts of 2023

From decadent foodie guides to dog-friendly coastal walks

Covering everything from the latest restaurant openings in Cornwall to interior design highlights and exclusive owner interviews, the team here at Perfect Stays have been working hard to bring our readers new and exciting content. Join us as we take a look back at the year in review and see your picks for the top ten posts of 2023 plus some of our personal favourites.

Top five foodie favourites 

Places to eat in St Ives: the 15 best restaurants

© The Seafood Café via Instagram

A mecca for foodie enthusiasts, it’s no surprise that this blog post dedicated to showcasing 15 of St Ives best restaurants took the number one spot. Viewed just under 20,000 times and featuring some of our favourites including Ugly Butterfly and Talay Thai Kitchen, this whimsical harbour town continues to attract visitors with its authentic charm and irresistible offerings of cucumber martinis, mermaid fish platters and smoked haddock pie. If you’re planning a trip to West Cornwall, expect to find these cobbled streets lined with dishes that use the finest produce sourced from local growers and fishermen.

To cast a keen over some of our favourites, read the blog here.

10 best restaurants, pubs and places to eat in Padstow

©  Sam Harris for Rick Stein

Continuously listed as one of the best places to visit in Cornwall, it's always our Padstow content that captures our readers, receiving thousands of views since updates were made. Home to a plethora of artisan bakeries, seafood restaurants and fine-dining experiences, hidden delights can be found around every crooked corner of this gourmet paradise.

From Michelin Guide recipients to cosy traditional pubs, take a look at 10 of our favourites ahead of your next North Cornwall getaway. 

Where to eat in Rock

Boasting a small but mighty food scene, it seems only natural that those looking to sample the wonders of Padstow would also be keen to trial what its neighbour, Rock has to offer. A perfect balance of fine dining and beachside cafés, this sought-after village perched on the banks of the Camel Estuary plays host to more than just glistening seascapes thanks to a constant supply of fresh seafood and kitchen garden goodies.

With six of our homes based in Rock, cast your eye over some of our favourites before setting off to North Cornwall. 

Where to eat in Porthleven: the eight best restaurants, pubs and cafés

Since welcoming Salt Spray as the newest addition to our Porthleven collection, this blog post dedicated to rounding up the best restaurants, cafés and pubs located nearby has only increased in popularity. Strewn with seasonal pop-ups and Malaysian inspired cuisines, tuck into bao buns on the harbourside before a pint of proper Job in the heart of the town.

If you're looking to spend 2024 surrounded by the smell of Moules frites and Cornish ale, this blogs for you. 

The best fine dining and Michelin-star restaurants in Devon

© The Pig Hotels via Instagram

Rounding off the foodie content, this hand selected list of some of Devon’s best fine dining restaurants went down a treat with the foodie fanatics among our readerships. From fresh crab pasta in the south to seared duck breast in the east, take a look over some of our favourites before jetting off on your next Devonshire getaway.

Inspiration ahead of your stay

10 romantic ideas for a couples day out in Cornwall

Regarded as one of the most romantic places in the world, we summarised some of the best romantic activities to do in Cornwall with a loved one. From cookery workshops with Great British Bake Off stars to in-house wine tastings and clifftop picnics, take a look at our recommendations ahead of your next anniversary or honeymoon break. 

The best buggy-friendly walks in Cornwall

Here at Perfect Stays, we know planning for a holiday with little ones can be stressful, so our team are always on hand to make your trip as calm and enjoyable as possible. Along with a handpicked selection of baby and toddler friendly homes on our website, we also wrote this blog post that outline some of our favourite buggy friendly walks in Cornwall. From woodland trails to easy coastal strolls, there are still plenty of picturesque routes across the county that are best for young families.

The best dog walks in Cornwall

From national trust parks, circular woodland routes and leisurely strolls across the sand, a handpicked guide to the best dog walks in Cornwall proved a success with the dog lovers among you. With 65 of our luxury homes accepting dogs, for many of our guests it wouldn’t be a Perfect Stay without a canine companion in tow. 

Personal Perfect Stays favourites

A night at Daymarker and Lantic Barn in Fowey

Having recently welcomed Daymarker, Lantic Barn and Little Polkerris in Fowey onto the Perfect Stays portfolio, 10 members of the team were given the opportunity to spend the evening on Cornwall’s south coast. Strolling across Readymoney Cove before retiring to the balcony for views over coast and countryside, our Marketing Coordinator Bethany pieced together the events of the stay to give our readers a little insight into these beautiful homes. 

Introducing Noordhoek

When you’re confronted with a home as impressive as Noordhoek the desire to understand every aspect of its creation from beginning to end is a tempting one. When the team were given the opportunity to catch up with owner Lisa McGrath earlier this year to gain an insight into how this stunning home was formed, this dedicated blog post was created to celebrate the success of the spectacular finished article which remains in the top five most booked properties on the portfolio. 

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Image credits: © The Seafood Café via Instagram | ©  Sam Harris for Rick Stein | © The Pig Hotels via Instagram | All other images are our own.