Artful Hotels: The Idle Rocks
When brainstorming the list of hotels we’d like to include as part of our new “Artful Hotels” series on the gallery journal, The Idle Rocks in Cornwall was at the very top of the list. Not only does this charming property feature all that you could ever want in a great hotel - comfortable rooms, fantastic food, thoughtful staff, beautiful views, amazing design - an impressive and vibrant art collection is layered throughout the rooms and common areas that make up this charming Cornish hotel and its on-site restaurant.
Perched picturesquely atop the rocks overlooking the St. Mawes harbor, The Idle Rocks is an impeccably designed Relais & Chateaux with a rich history connected to the town - first built as a village bakery and later converted to a hotel.
Throughout our 2017 stay at The Idle Rocks, I found that I couldn’t stop myself from photographing the bright, chic interiors, all designed by owner Karen Richards. It seemed as though everywhere I looked there was a perfectly styled vignette – often anchored by a David Pearce painting – waiting to be captured.
Staying in a hotel that is as thoughtful in its design execution as The Idle Rocks was, is one of the most enjoyable aspects of travel for me. Our all too short visit sent me home full of seaside inspiration and an even greater appreciation for pops of punchy colors.
In addition to discovering David Pearce’s work during our stay, I also stumbled upon the work of painter Emma Jeffryes and so enjoyed our time at the nearby Tregony Gallery.
More from our trip to Cornwall and our stay at The Idle Rocks.
‘Artful Hotels’ is a travel series featuring hotels and inns that place an emphasis on art and design as an integral part of their guest experience. Having the chance to visit different art-filled properties over the years has greatly informed our aesthetic and the way we prefer to travel. These photographs are from our own personal travels.
Photos by gallery owner, Meredith Perdue.
