Uncover the Hidden Treasures: Pochin House Collections, Saint Austell!
Uncover the Hidden Treasures? More Like Unearth a Mixed Bag: My Review of Pochin House Collections, Saint Austell
(SEO Keywords: Pochin House Collections, Saint Austell, Cornwall, Hotel Review, Accessibility, Spa, Dining, Family Friendly, Wheelchair Accessible, Historic Property, Cornwall Hotels)
Alright, alright, before you even think about booking Pochin House Collections in Saint Austell, Cornwall, let me lay down the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the… well, mostly the truth. I've just emerged, slightly wrinkly and possibly smelling faintly of chlorine, from a "relaxing" long weekend there, and I'm ready to spill all the tea (or maybe it was Earl Grey, they have that too).
First Impressions & Accessibility: Rollin' In… With Some Headaches
Okay, the vibe of Pochin House is undeniably charming. Think stately manor meets slightly eccentric antique shop. It's got that "grand old dame" feel, you know? The exterior—a rambling, ivy-covered beauty— promises a proper Cornish escape.
[Accessibility Rambles]
Now, accessibility is where things get… interesting. Let's be honest, this isn't exactly a modern, streamlined, perfectly accessible hotel. They say they cater to guests with disabilities, and technically they do. There's an elevator, hooray! But navigating the corridors? Well, let's just say my friend, Sarah, who's a wheelchair user, had to do some serious Tetris-ing around furniture and narrow doorways. We found ourselves muttering things like "charming but chaotic" more than once. The main entry (the one with the fancy staircase and a very imposing door) isn't exactly wheelchair-friendly. They do have an alternative entrance, but it's a bit… hidden. You might need to ask a few times to find it. [End Accessibility Rambles]
But really, the staff tried hard. They were genuinely friendly and eager to please, apologizing profusely for the wonkiness. The phrase "Facilities for disabled guests" is present, but really, they could use a dedicated accessibility audit.
Rooms: Pretty, But Practical? Nope.
Our room was… visually stunning. Think rich fabrics, antique furniture, and a view that made me want to paint a landscape. [Available in all rooms] definitely included Air conditioning and gasp Free Wi-Fi. But the “practical” side? Less impressive.
- Blackout curtains saved my sleep-deprived life, but the extra long bed didn't make up for the small closet and the slightly temperamental Coffee/tea maker.
- The Bathroom? Beautiful, with a Bathtub I could soak in after a long day. But the water pressure? Forget a power shower. More like a gentle trickle to revive myself. [Additional Toilet & Private Bathroom] make you more comfortable in the room.
- Daily housekeeping had the room tidied up, but the room didn't receive the promised Room sanitization between stays, which was a little bit worrying, especially considering the current climate.
Dining: From Meh To Magnificent, With a Side of… Confusion
Okay, the food. This is where things started to get… exciting.
- Breakfast [buffet] was a classic case of "quantity over quality." The Asian breakfast & Asian cuisine in restaurant was a surprise. But there were plenty of options. The Western breakfast & Western cuisine in restaurant did a better job for me.
- A la carte in restaurant was available, but our first night? Disaster. Waited far too long, the food came out cold, and the waiter looked like he'd rather be anywhere else. We sent some dishes back. Not a stellar start.
- Second night? Completely different experience. The International cuisine in restaurant was fantastic. The chef’s clearly had a good day. Lamb so tender, I almost cried. The desserts were superb! [Desserts in restaurant & Soup in restaurant].
- Poolside bar was a nice touch.
- There's a Snack bar that came in handy, and lots of coffee, tea, and other beverages such as the Bottle of water, Coffee/tea in restaurant, and the Happy hour was very welcomed.
- The staff was trying its best. If they only had the staff to work efficiently, it would become a great experience.
Things to Do & Ways to Relax: Spa Day Shenanigans and Poolside Perplexities
Right, the good stuff… sort of.
- The Spa: Yes, yes! Massage was heavenly. The Body scrub and Body wrap left me feeling like a newborn (albeit one with slightly less cellulite). The Sauna was hot, in a good way.
- The Swimming pool [indoor and outdoor] and the Pool with view? Stunning. Until the kids arrived. Then it became a splash zone of epic proportions. Sigh. No peace for this weary traveler.
- Steamroom: I never got around to stepping inside it. Perhaps next time.
- Gym/fitness: I saw the Fitness center, but the thought of exercise post-massage? Nope, not happening.
[Emotional Rambles on the Pool]
Honest moment: I wanted to do some serious relaxing. Dip into the pool, float around, and pretend I was a glamorous movie star. But the pool was crazy busy! Loud kids! And I'm not entirely sure I enjoyed swimming in a pool that's so crowded! Maybe my fault for going at a busy time? Maybe I should have checked out the Foot bath or got on the Gym/fitness instead. But I really just wanted peace.
[End Emotional Rambles on the Pool]
Cleanliness & Safety: Sanitized… Mostly?
They’re trying. There's Hand sanitizer everywhere. Daily disinfection in common areas, apparently. The staff were all masked up and, in the restaurant, the Safe dining setup was a relief. Food came with lots of individual portions (the Individually-wrapped food options).
But, like with everything else, there were gaps. Seeing the Hotel chain, you expect a strong enforcement of safety standards.
Services & Conveniences: A Mixed Bag of Helpfulness
- Concierge: Hit or miss. One day, super helpful. The next? MIA.
- Luggage storage: Worked a treat.
- Laundry service: Expensive, but efficient.
- Cash withdrawal: Not available on-site, which was a pain.
- Car park [free of charge]: a definite bonus!
- Airport transfer might be available, but best confirm it first!
For the Kids: Okay, But Not a Disney Paradise
[Family/child friendly] is true, but don't expect a dedicated kids' club or anything. They had kid-friendly meal options and some basic Kids facilities. Babysitting service: Unsure, you have to find out!
Overall Verdict: Pochin House… It's Complicated
Look, Pochin House Collections is a hotel with potential. Loads of it. It's got charm. It's got a great location. The spa is a winner.
BUT… it's not perfect. Far from it. The accessibility needs serious work. The service can be inconsistent. And you need to be prepared for a bit of chaos.
My Score: 3.5 out of 5 stars.
Would I Go Back? Maybe. If they promise to fix the water pressure and sort out the pool situation! And if they're willing to make the place truly accessible for everyone. I might consider a return trip. It has that certain something, you know? But for now, I'm off to find a quiet beach and a very strong cup of coffee.
Metadata & SEO Keywords (Recap)
- Keywords: Pochin House Collections, Saint Austell, Cornwall, Hotel Review, Accessibility, Spa, Dining, Family Friendly, Wheelchair Accessible, Historic Property, Cornwall Hotels, Plus more specific terms as mentioned above
- Accessibility considerations: Mentioned throughout, highlighting both positives and negatives.
- Dining focus: Detailed review of food and service, including mentions of specific dining areas.
- Spa focus: Positive feedback on spa facilities.
- Family-friendliness: Acknowledged, with a realistic assessment.
- Location: Explicitly mentioned.
- Overall impression: Honest and nuanced.
- Review structure: Includes a beginning, middle, and end for an easy read.
- Emotional reactions: Used throughout to make the review more engaging.
- Additional keywords: Every category mentioned that can be useful in searching
- Tone: Humorous and opinionated.
- Natural language: Makes it feel genuine and trustworthy.
Alright, buckle up, buttercups, because we're heading to the whimsical world of Pochin House Collections in Saint Austell, Cornwall! This isn't going to be some perfectly polished travel blog; this is me experiencing the chaos and charm of a Cornish escape. Prepare for rambles, rants, and maybe even a tear or two (happy ones, hopefully!).
Pochin House Collection Adventure: Operation Cornish Crackers!
Day 1: Arrival and "Oh, My God, Is That a Seagull?!" Moment
Morning (7:00 AM - 10:00 AM) - The Great Getting-There Caper: Flights are booked! Pack the essentials: waterproof jacket (because Cornwall), a good book (for the inevitable train delays), and a ridiculous hat (because, why not?). The journey starts from the Midlands. I do love train journeys, really… when the engine starts on time.
Late Morning (11:00 AM - 1:00 PM) - The Train Trauma (and a Sausage Roll): Okay, the train's delayed. Of course it is. What's new? I am so hungry. Found a glorious sausage roll, that's alright, isn't it! That's my breakfast. The scenery, though? Gorgeous. This is why you do this, I thought. It keeps the optimism at bay.
Afternoon (2:00 PM - 4:00 PM) - Saint Austell Arrival and a Seaside Sigh: Arrive in Saint Austell! Taxi ride, I think, before I get lost, and then… the sea! OMG the sea! The air is crisper, smelling of salt and something undefinable, a mix of fish and freedom. It's so incredibly pretty. A proper "breathe and be grateful" moment.
Evening (5:00 PM - 8:00 PM) - Pochin House: The First Glimpse & Dinner Debacle: The plan is to check into my B&B and then head to Pochin House Collections itself. I think I walked past it. The first glimpse of Pochin House: It's charming, and the light, oh the light! It's a bit spooky, in a good way, very gothic. Dinner? I'm thinking a classic pub meal! Narrator: That pub meal involved a slightly overcooked fish and chips situation, let's just say. However, the Cornish cider was divine!
Nighttime (9:00 PM onwards) - Bedtime and the Fear of the Unknown: Stumble back to B&B. I have a moment of sheer panic! I've never been to Cornwall before. What am I doing? I'm going to get lost. Maybe I'm going to get eaten by a seagull. But then, I look out the window at the stars, and the sea. It's worth it. Tomorrow, Pochin House awaits!
Day 2: Pochin House Deep Dive – A Love Affair and Lost Socks
Morning (9:00 AM - 12:00 PM) - Pochin House: Holy Moly, History! Right, time to hit Pochin House (finally). Okay, guys. I'm here. The entrance is so grand. The stained glass! The details! I'm seriously giddy. The collections themselves… are they a bit quirky and unusual? Yes! Do I love it? Absolutely! I spent hours wandering. I learned about the original Pochin family. It's amazing. The historical depth and the passion of the collection are obvious. I'm starting to think I've found my happy place here.
Afternoon (1:00 PM - 4:00 PM) – The Single Exhibit Obsession: Okay. They had a display of vintage hats. The sheer craftsmanship! The stories they hold! I spent about an hour and a half staring at these hats. I came back to them again. I sat on the floor to get a better look. I have no regrets. I love hats. End of story.
Late Afternoon (4:00 PM - 6:00 PM) - The Gift Shop Gamble & Coffee Conundrum: Oh, the gift shop: a temptation I struggle to resist. Coffee, the constant need, I am getting a coffee. I am lost now, I'm probably missing something. Did I get the right amount of chocolate? Did I get the right amount of postcards?
Evening (7:00 PM - 10:00 PM) - Dinner Downpour of Deliciousness: My B&B is lovely. I got a table at a fantastic seafood restaurant, the best place I've found so far. I am quite happy at the end of a day here.
Nighttime (11:00 PM onwards) - Lost Socks and Literary Ambitions: Back to the B&B, and where are my socks? Lost, gone, disappeared! Seriously? And I have an idea for a book about the Pochin family. Maybe. Probably.
Day 3: Cornwall's Charm, Casualties, and a Sad Goodbye (Sort Of)
Morning (9:00 AM - 12:00 PM) - Coastal Capers and Beach Blunders: Today, I'm finally venturing beyond Pochin House (sob!). I'll take a trip to the beach. It's the most gorgeous, breezy, lovely day. I get sand everywhere, of course. At one point, I nearly got blown right into the sea. I should really wear more sensible shoes.
Afternoon (1:00 PM - 4:00 PM) – The Final Pochin House Fix: One last visit to Pochin House. I'm getting emotional. This place… it's magic. I went back to the hats. I touched everything. I might have even shed a tear or two. I have the sinking feeling I'll be back here again, soon.
Late Afternoon (4:00 PM - 6:00 PM) - Souvenir Spree and Departure Dilemma: Last-minute souvenir shopping (because I still haven't got enough things!). More fudge, more postcards, probably another hat. The train is on time – is this even real life?
Evening (7:00 PM onwards) - Homeward Bound and the Post-Cornwall Blues: Goodbye, Saint Austell! Goodbye, Pochin House! I'm sad to be leaving, but I have plans for my next visit, oh yes! I'm already planning my trip back here. I'm in love.
Final Thoughts:
This trip was everything I wanted and more. Pochin House Collections, you stole my heart. Cornwall, you're beautiful, even with the delayed trains and lost socks. I’ll be back to explore more soon. Until then, happy travels, everyone! And remember, sometimes the best adventures are the messy ones.
Escape to Paradise: Stunning Yangpyeong Cabin with Insta-Worthy Views & Forest Fresh Air
Uncover the Hidden Treasures: Pochin House Collections - Seriously, FAQs! (Because I Need to Rant/Rave)
Okay, so, what *exactly* is Pochin House? Like, is it a house? A museum? A portal to another dimension filled with teacups?
What kind of "treasures" are we talking about? I'm picturing dusty old armchairs…
Is it kid-friendly? Because little Timmy has the attention span of a… a distracted butterfly.
How much time should I allocate for a visit? I've got a busy schedule, you know!
Is it accessible for wheelchairs or other mobility aids?
What's the best way to get there and park? Is it a pain?
Are there any facilities? (Like, um, a loo?)
Okay, okay, so you went. What was the single *weirdest* thing you saw? Spill the tea!
Final verdict? Should I go?
