Last Updated on July 6, 2026
A superb stay at the Old Quay House Hotel
The boutique hotel, The Old Quay House, situated in the heart of the picturesque town of Fowey, offers luxury rooms, ideal for those looking for accommodation in this beautiful part of South Cornwall.
The hotel has been extensively refurbished to a high standard; many rooms have stunning views over the estuary of the River Fowey. You can’t get more central than this as a holiday base in this stunning Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The Old Quay House is located on narrow Fore Street, the town’s main road, surrounded by shops, bakeries, cafes, and restaurants. Within The Old Quay House is the restaurant Samphire, serving a selection of delicious dishes throughout the day. It is open to all; you don’t have to be staying at the hotel, and it is popular with locals as well as visitors to Fowey.
Right on the waterfront, at the back of the hotel, accessible by going through the Samphire restaurant, is a terrace where you can enjoy the estuarial views and watch the boats go by whilst enjoying a refreshing drink from the bar or sampling some of the delectable food available at Samphire.
There are several public car parks close by; the hotel does not have dedicated parking. However, you can briefly stop to unload your luggage before driving on to park your vehicle.
The charming rooms are arranged over three floors. My room was on the third floor at the top of this historic building. The room was flooded with natural light, the delightful window framing a stunning view of the estuary, much better than any picture. Blackout curtains were a great addition to ensure a good night’s sleep.
The Old Quay House is an adult-only hotel; children under twelve and pets are not allowed. It is very peaceful, given its proximity to local amenities.
The bed looked very welcoming, and tea and coffee facilities are provided along with bottles of sparkling and still water. A nice touch is proper mugs, great for a cuppa at any time of day. My room had a door leading out onto a tiny balcony, with a view over the rooftop.
The internal bathroom was beautifully appointed with quality fittings, a toilet, a sink, and a shower. Bathrobes were provided, as well as heavenly White Company toiletries.
I was booked in for dinner at the Samphire on the Quay restaurant and was seated at a table by the window looking out over the terrace. Recently opened Samphire aims to provide year-round dining, sourcing ingredients from the surrounding area. When I arrived, the restaurant was already full of other diners. Booking your table in advance is essential to secure your reservation.
The menu is heavily biased towards seafood dishes using fresh local produce. With an extensive selection of dishes available either as a starter or a larger main course option. This is designed to be a sharing menu where you can choose several dishes to split between your party.
To start with, a glass of one of my favourites, Camel Valley Reserve sparkling brut. The Camel Valley vineyard is not far from Fowey and is well worth a visit if you are in the vicinity. The wine was bright and citrusy, perfect as an accompaniment for fish.
With so many tasty-sounding options on the menu, I asked my waitress which were the best showcases of fresh local seafood. Unfortunately, the crab salad, which would have been my first choice, wasn’t available that day. This didn’t limit me, as I would have happily tucked into multiple dishes.
After deliberation, I plumped for the seared king scallops served with brown butter, bacon jam, and sherry vinegar for my starter. This was a generous portion of succulent, sweet scallops with the contrast of the salty bacon jam working perfectly.
For my main course, I chose the half Cornish lobster, which came with miso butter, Koffman fries, and a side salad of cucumber and fennel. This was a delicious combination, and the lobster was mouth-meltingly soft; the salad was light and refreshing, set against the richness of the lobster. The fries were a bit too salty for my taste.
I ordered a glass of Chenin Blanc to accompany my lobster.
I didn’t need a dessert, but couldn’t resist the temptation. I was intrigued by the pistachio tiramisu, so I decided to try it. It was a generous portion; the mascarpone and double cream were not too heavy, and the coffee liqueur was subtle. Crunched pistachios topped the dessert. It was too big for me to manage.
My room was very quiet, and the blackout curtains kept the morning sun out. I slept well and woke to the sound of gulls outside.
Breakfast is served in the Samphire restaurant. It is available for walk-ins as well as hotel guests. The breakfast buffet section has small muffins, bread, jams, granola, and fresh fruit.
Freshly made coffee in a cafetiere and a selection of juices are on hand. The extensive hot options include a full Cornish breakfast, omelettes, poached eggs, and avocado on sourdough or thunder and lightning pancake stack, buttermilk pancakes with Cornish clotted cream & golden syrup. I plumped for poached eggs on toast, which set me up for the day.
I had an excellent stay at The Old Quay House hotel and hope to return one day. This stylish and comfortable coastal hotel is perfect for a short break in Fowey. There is lots to see and do nearby. You can take the ferry across the estuary to Polruan, browse in the artisan shops and galleries, and visit Fowey Aquarium. The Eden Project and The Lost Gardens of Heligan are a few of the attractions easily reached by car.
I was hosted overnight by The Old Quay House, with dinner and breakfast at Samphire restaurant.
Old Quay House Hotel,
28 Fore Street,
Fowey,
Cornwall,
PL23 1AQ.
Tel: 0172 683 3302
For more details of the Old Quay House and special offers, click here.
The Hotel’s restaurant, Samphire on the Quay, is open for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and refreshments during the day. To reserve a table and view sample menus, visit Samphire Fowey.
Check our roundup for more boutique hotels in Cornwall and the rest of the UK
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