For couples seeking a honeymoon that feels as restorative as it is romantic, today’s feature for Polka Dot Honeymoons invites you to look beyond the obvious. As part of our Mindful Issue, Lisa Perkovic explores why Cornwall offers something truly special. An escape that encourages you to slow down, embrace the elements, and reconnect with each other in a way that feels intentional, grounding and deeply memorable.

I’ve found it. The holy grail of honeymoon destinations. It’s not the Maldives or Paris. No, we’re not even somewhere tropical. We’re in Cornwall. Controversial some might say, but hear me out. This special spot is good in any weather. Rain, hail, shine, sometimes all three on the same day, it doesn’t matter. This spot is spectacular.

The Bedruthan Hotel & Spa, and sister property the Scarlet Hotel, are located on the edge of Mawgan Porth. The teeny seaside village is famous for its big, beautiful beach, dramatic cliffs and to be honest, the hotels themselves. The Bedruthan dates back to 1959, originally designed to resemble cool Californian desert houses. It’s a warren of rooms, lounges and bars oriented to face the ocean. The Scarlet is much newer and a bit more grown up, it’s just for grown-ups, opening as an adults only hotel in 2009 and has an award-winning spa.

Here’s how to honeymoon in all weather types when you’re in Cornwall.

Moody mornings

Long, lazy mornings in bed are the stuff honeymoons are made of. At the Bedruthan, we’re tucked away in a villa outside of the main building. It’s spacious and private. We hide away from the world until the very last half an hour before breakfast finishes. The sky is grey, but after a morning curled up with a book, the promise of a freshly baked cinnamon scroll does lure me out of bed. The Wild Café breakfast spread is literally a little taster of this hotel, baskets of ham and cheese croissants, plates of cut fruit, heaped bowls of homemade toasted granola, baby bottles of fruit smoothie. It’s wholesome, hearty, decadent and full of goodness all at once. Lingering over tea, looking straight out to the wild waves crashing on the beach below, we could be in a broody period drama piece that’s for sure.

Sunny starts

It feels like a midday miracle as the sun has emerged for my decadent three hour stint over at The Scarlet Hotel spa. The Brits take their spa hotels seriously, and this clifftop eco spa is at the top of its game. I’m booked in to try one of the clifftop wooden hot tubs, and while I wait dip my toes into the wild swimming pool (un-heated, watch for the newts at your feet) with a blue sky.

My breath isn’t quite frosting on the air, but it’s definitely fresh as I swim past reeds in crystal clear water. No newts are spotted, but I emerge feeling like I’ve just done a cold plunge, earning my time in the hot tub. Peering out over the famous beach, in a little private patch of clifftop, with glass of wine in hand, all feels right in the world.

The breeze buffs the swaying coastal grasses, but the sun stays out. Next, it’s on to the barrel cedar wood sauna, where a porthole peers straight out to the sea too. The clouds appear right as I emerge, sweeping in with a fast and furious downpour. Luckily, the heated indoor pool and my massage awaits. Tucked away in a cleverly constructed indoor tent, it feels a bit like I’m hiding from a sandstorm in a Bedouin camp as I’m treated to 60 minutes of aromatherapy bliss.

Crisp afternoons

A quick 10 minute walk down the hill and you’ll have your feet on the sand. There’s surfers, life-saving flags, even sand dunes at this famous beach. Yes, most swimmers are in wetsuits, but it’s the full beach experience. Dogs and kids run wild, couples stroll hand in hand, there’s plenty of space for everyone.

Feeling a bit chilly after the fresh air? No problem. The Bedruthan firepit is something extra special, it’s tucked away in the Sensory Spa Garden surrounded by copper foot tubs. It’s the last stop on a very special seven-stage spa journey. Start with a salt scrub, before showering and hopping into another fabulous cedar wood sauna, with views straight out to the ocean. Brave the cold plunge bucket, before thawing out in the outdoor hot tub.

A wet seaweed scrub, then settle in under a warm blanket, with a hot cup of tea and a foot soak. Hot, cold, hot, cold, it will have your nervous system reset in no time.

Wild evenings

Is there really anything better than watching wild weather when you’re warm and toasty? Doing so with a gin and tonic in hand. Settle in for a game of billiards and a pre-dinner tipple as the wind rises and the white caps whip up.

As the sun sets, the lights dim and just like the weather, the mood shifts again. Wild Café turns into an a la carte restaurant, with a vast menu heavy on hearty salads, rich pastas and rustic pies. The triple cooked chips seem to be on everyone’s table, along with heaped bowls of harissa roasted cauliflower salad. In the warm glow of pendant lights handing from the ceiling, it’s a real treat watching the sea below. Even better though, is returning to your room for room service dessert. The made to order skillet of cookie dough, chocolate sauce and ice cream deserves to be devoured in your pyjamas.

If you’re more about dressing up than getting into your dressing gown, swap your reservation over to Ogo, the hotel’s elegant ode to sustainable dining. Seasonal, local produce elevated by the chefs to an art form, it wouldn’t matter how wild it was outside, the drama is all on your plate.

Whether you want to curl up with a book, strike out to the seaside or simply fill your up on good food and wine, this small piece of paradise in the unlikeliest of places awaits.

About Lisa Perkovic: Lisa has spent the past decade travelling the world writing for Australia’s leading newspapers, magazines, and blogs about all things travel. Her own honeymoon was her pièce de résistance – an epic journey to the Maldives and South Africa. Now she loves nothing more than sharing destinations and tips to help other newlyweds work out how to have the honeymoon of their dreams.