The baby's nap schedule clashes with your teenager's beach time. Gran wants an early night while the kids are still buzzing. Half of your family are early-risers and the other half are night-owls. Sound familiar?

Family holidays are precious but they're not always easy. You want everyone together but it can feel near impossible to suit everyone’s wants and needs. It can feel impossible to find a place where you can spread out, where breakfast happens at everyone's pace and where the dog doesn't have to stay home.

That's exactly what our clifftop cottages offer. Five-star meets the freedom of self-catering, all perched above Fistral Beach with some of Cornwall's most breathtaking sea views. It's the best of both worlds, your own front door, your own rhythm but with a five-bubble Spa and six-pool AquaClub just moments away.

Staying in a cottage offers a unique blend of practical convenience and emotional ease, most notably through a sense of freedom. Our cottages are the perfect balance between independence and indulgence. 

Cottages are perfect for those dreaming of a Coastal Cornwall lifestyle. Imagine the joy you feel waking up slowly and drinking a coffee from your ocean-facing deck. Whilst you have your own space and privacy, you get the luxury of having full access to the hotel's Spa and AquaClub facilities, restaurants and hotel spaces.

Dogs are welcome in many areas throughout the hotel and of course, in your cottage too, they’re part of the family!

Discover the magic of the Cornwall coast from the comfort of your own cottage. Start your mornings slowly with a coffee overlooking the Atlantic from your private cottage decking before heading over to enjoy the luxury of the hotel’s AquaClub and Spa facilities. It’s the perfect balance between independence and indulgence.

A private kitchen offers the ultimate flexibility for families and groups, allowing you to cater to specific dietary needs or awkward dining times for little ones.

However, 'self-catering' doesn't mean sacrificing luxury. You’ll still enjoy the seamless service of daily housekeeping and the option to have our restaurant favourites delivered straight to your door, such as our delicious Deck Pizzas. All the amenities of a luxury hotel, with the privacy of a self-catered stay. It’s your holiday, your way - without ever having to lift a finger.

Six Ways That Cottages Improve Your Holiday:

Create your own family rhythm

Embrace the luxury of a holiday that moves at your pace. Savour long mornings in your pyjamas with breakfast on your private deck, followed by easy lunches and dinners in your kitchen that never require a reservation. For those mornings when you fancy a treat, you can add breakfast at The Deck restaurant or have a locally sourced Trevilley Farm hamper delivered straight to your cottage door

Space for everyone’s holiday style

Our cottages are designed to blend different holiday habits under one roof. While early risers catch the sunrise over Fistral Beach, teenagers can enjoy a well-earned lie-in. With one, two and three-bedroom configurations available, there is ample room for Mum to read in peace while Dad and the children build sandcastles just moments away.

Your base for Cornish adventures

Perfectly positioned near Fistral Beach and the South-West Coast Path, our cottages also provide dedicated storage for your surf and beach gear, making every adventure seamless.

Self-catering offers the practical freedom every explorer needs. Store your wetsuits properly, rinse sandy swimmers without navigating hotel corridors and pack your own picnics

Luxury when you want it, independence when you need it

Enjoy the best of both worlds: the freedom to fry up fresh fish and chips in your kitchen one night and the glamour of RenMor with its panoramic ocean views the next. Cottage guests enjoy unlimited access to the Spa and AquaClub, allowing you to fit in a pre-breakfast swim or unwind in the hot tub once the children are fast asleep.

Those unbeatable sea views

Every cottage offers a unique perspective of Cornwall’s dramatic Atlantic coastline. Choose our Front Row Sea View cottages for the most breathtaking, uninterrupted panoramas or opt for a Sheltered Sea View if you prefer a cosy stay protected from the coastal breeze. For the ultimate evening under the stars, our Hot Tub Cottages provide a front-row seat to the night sky.

The little touches that feel like home (but better)

Interiors at the cottages pair contemporary seaside style with indulgent comforts like four-poster beds and fully equipped kitchens. We haven't forgotten the four-legged members of the family either, dogs are greeted with plenty of blankets and treats! Best of all, with daily housekeeping included, you can enjoy all the comforts of home without ever having to make your own bed.

What Makes The Headland Cottages Special

While the benefits of self-catering holidays are apparent, choosing The Headland means securing a truly iconic location. Perched directly above the Atlantic, our cottages sit on the Cornish clifftops, meaning they grant you direct, private access to the world-class surf of Fistral Beach. You are mere steps from the sand, yet the hotel is so well-appointed that there is never any pressure to leave the grounds. This unique setting is anchored by our historic Victorian building, a landmark that has defined Cornish hospitality for over 125 years.

What truly differentiates a stay here is the level of certainty and variety available to you. Unlike a standard cabin or cottage, we put you in complete control of your experience to ensure there are no disappointing surprises. You can hand-pick your perfect coastal home, whether that is a front-row sea view, a sheltered position, a charming village-view or a luxury upgrade featuring your own private hot tub.

Regardless of which cottage you choose, you are never "just" a self-catering guest, you are part of our hotel with full access to our five-star hotel amenities. This includes our award-winning five-bubble spa and AquaClub. We also champion our four-legged guests with the same love as our human ones, providing a dedicated dog-wash station for your fur babies after a day on the dunes. When you don't feel like cooking, you have the luxury of choosing between multiple on-site restaurants, ensuring every craving is met without ever having to pick up a car key.

Finding the perfect balance for a family holiday is often a challenge but at The Headland, we believe you shouldn't have to choose between connection and independence. We understand that a great break requires both the joy of togetherness and the benefits of personal space. Our cottages are designed to provide exactly that - a private sanctuary where you can enjoy the freedom of a self-catering lifestyle without sacrificing the perfect hotel.

Ready for that sea view? Browse our cottage collection and find your perfect coastal escape above Fistral Beach.