The history of the Headland HotelTake a step back in time
In 1897 the Headland Hotel Company was formed for the sole purpose of creating the finest hotel in South West England. Finished to the highest standards of its time – with fireplaces, hot and cold running water, electric lights, and electric service bells – the Headland Hotel opened its doors for business in June 1900. A stylish hotel that has perfected the art of luxury holidays in Cornwall, over the decades it has attracted a string of royal visitors including Edward VIII, King George VI, King Edward VII, Queen Alexandra, and recently HRH Prince Charles, and HRH The Princess Royal. To put you in the picture of the past, London orchestras would come and play here throughout the summer season, and at its best the ballroom saw at least 300 guests waltzing gracefully on its wooden, coil-sprung floor.
With a 100 year family history of owning and running hotels in Newquay, John and Carolyn Armstrong bought the hotel in a rundown condition in 1979. (Bedruthan Steps, Sands Resort, Watergate Bay, The Scarlet and The Nare Hotels are currently in the family, as are Watergate Bay's Beach Hut Restaurant and Extreme Academy). In over 30 years they have spent well over £15 million on an extensive facelift of the hotel - making the most of its oceanic viewpoint inside and out, and bringing it up to a high standard of comfort. One of the most radical developments has been the building of Cornwall's first five-star holiday village in a world class location.
Boasting a unique history, location and architecture, the Headland Hotel is a Grade II listed building on a designated Site of Special Scientific Interest (being a raised beach containing many interesting fossils). Now open year-round, the hotel attracts guests from all over the world, for short breaks, romantic retreats, family holidays, film and fashion shoots, conferences and weddings.
Throughout the years, the staff have always been extremely important in the success of the Headland Hotel, and in 1992 it was the first company in Cornwall to receive the Investors in People award – just one of many, many awards and accolades accumulated over the years from the likes of The English Tourist Board, the British Hospitality Association, the AA, Green Tourism Business Scheme and others.
In April 2009, The Headland saw the arrival of John and Carolyn's eldest daughter, Veryan to the family business, continuing a family tradition of hotel keeping in Newquay. Veryan trained at The Goring in London, where she covered Reception and Reservations before progressing to a Revenue Management role which she held for two years. She has plenty of exciting plans for the future of The Headland and she is in charge of pricing which will be more flexible throughout the seasons. There will some great bargains in the low season, and lots of exciting reasons to come and stay throughout the year.
John, Carolyn and Veryan, and their excellent team, invite you to relax and enjoy what Cornwall's most iconic hotel has to offer.
Ghosts of the past
During the Second World War the hotel was requisitioned and became an RAF hospital. On several occasions guests have reported the harmless ghosts of men in uniforms walking around the corridors late at night, and in 1994 a guest was awakened by someone stroking her cheek - perhaps a gentle nurse checking her temperature? Extensive renovations throughout the late 90's may have awoken more of the ghosts of the past; one of several sightings include a woman wearing a maid's uniform disappearing through a wall into the Ladies Powder Room - spookily in exactly the same position as there was once a door.
