Elysium St Mawes: a 1904 harbourfront hotel’s second act

Opposite the quay in St Mawes, a building that has stood on the waterfront since 1904 is being stripped back and rebuilt from the inside. When it reopens in early 2027 it will carry a new name, Elysium St Mawes, and a thermal pool where you might least expect one.

It will be the first hotel from The Elysium Collection, a new family of British hotels, spas and health clubs. The opening marks the restoration of the village’s first purpose-built hotel.

There will be 56 bedrooms, six of them family rooms, along with a waterfront restaurant, a café and a spa. The idea is a coastal escape that works all year round.

📷The bar and arrival area at Elysium St Mawes (artist's render)

A familiar name in the kitchen

The new restaurant will be led by Stéphane Delourme, the collection’s executive chef. He spent more than two decades as head chef at Rick Stein’s The Seafood Restaurant before becoming group chef for the wider restaurant group.

His menus here will take the best of Cornish produce and give it a Mediterranean treatment.

📷The café, bistro and wine bar at Elysium St Mawes (artist's render)

Coffee by day, tapas by night

Next door, the café and brasserie is the more relaxed option. During the day it will serve coffee, pastries and light bites.

Then, come the evening, the same space turns into a brasserie and wine bar with pinchos and tapas on offer.

A spa for every season

Wellness is a big part of the plan. The spa will have an indoor thermal pool, a sauna, a steam room and a cold plunge.

Two treatment rooms will offer TEMPLESPA treatments, designed to restore and relax.

📷A Waterside king room at Elysium St Mawes (artist's render)

Bringing a 1904 building back to life

The building was originally constructed in 1904 by the St Austell Brewery. Its transformation is being carried out in collaboration with 3DReid, the architecture and design studio behind Gleneagles.

Inside, the aim is to balance character with comfort. Expect natural materials, layered textiles, considered lighting and finishes inspired by the local area, so that each space feels individual and tied to St Mawes.

The collection says the work reflects its commitment to preserving landmark buildings while keeping their heritage and sense of place.

📷A Waterside en suite at Elysium St Mawes (artist's render)

Life on the Roseland

St Mawes looks out over Carrick Roads at the mouth of the Percuil River, and the hotel sits on the South West Coast Path. The village is known for its sailing culture, waterfront restaurants and galleries, with beaches, coastal walks and the harbour all close by.

Ferries cross regularly to Falmouth. And there is swimming, kayaking and paddleboarding on the doorstep, or the quieter creeks and coastline of the Roseland Peninsula to explore.

Coming by train? The hotel is around 40 minutes by car from Truro railway station, which has direct Great Western Railway services from London Paddington. Cornwall Airport Newquay is about 50 minutes away by car.

Opening and prices

Elysium St Mawes is due to open in early 2027, with B&B doubles from £150. More details are on the Elysium Collection website.

St Mawes is only the start. Further Elysium Collection hotels are set to open in Surrey and the Lake District.

📷A Beach Day en suite at Elysium St Mawes (artist's render)

📷The bar and restaurant at Elysium St Mawes (artist's render)