Holiday Home Design Awards 2021

We are very pleased to announce the results of our Holiday Home Design Awards 2021, for holiday lets in our Salcombe & South Hams, also Looe & East Cornwall regions.  

As a professional hosting services provider, we are privileged to visit a great number and variety of holiday lets in the South West, and to value their design aesthetic and function, which of course combine to create their guest accommodation experiences.  

The winners in this the inaugural year of the Holiday Home Design Awards offer stand out accommodation, whether it be the exquisite, charm of harbour side 3 Victoria Quay, Salcombe, Devon or the extraordinary consideration given to beachside 9 The Bay, Cawsand, Cornwall.   

Director, Josh Newman said: “It’s our job as professional Hosts to reveal to guests the hidden gems available through online travel agents and to support owners seeking to maximise their holiday let business. We’re pleased to have launched the Holiday Home Design Awards to further achieve this goal from 2021 in the South Hams and East Cornwall.”

Awards criteria and panel

The boom in staycations following lockdown periods has seen UK holiday let owners raising the bar to hit aspirational guest expectations and to maximise the revenue opportunity that arises from guest demand for extraordinary UK accommodation. 

Guests seek hotel standards more often than not and they value owner efforts to make holidays easy, enjoyable and outstanding, from helpful answers to enquiries before booking all the way through to interior styling and design, as exemplified by Woodlands, South Sands and 3 Victoria Quay, Salcombe. The holiday homes that our panel has selected as this year’s winners include the epitome of what a modern holiday let can be and are examples of the aspirational standard for the industry.

Winners are awarded GOLD or SILVER standard.  Two awards are available for each standard in each area).  Judgment is made based on the following criteria:

• Interior Design
• Guest feedback
• Exterior Design
• QR code scans from passers by
• Breadth and suitability of facilities
• Functionality Accessibility

Gold award winners

3 Victoria Quay, Salcombe

Completely refurbished in 2020, 3 Victoria Quay offers the best that a harbour side cottage in Devon has to offer; beautiful design, a homely vibe, space for family and friends and local charm. The Grade II listed property has three bedrooms, peppered with a combination of contemporary furnishings and carefully chosen antiques. It has been beautifully equipped with items from local retailers and has been strategically organised to maximise capacity without cluttering the space. The award recognises the holiday home design and styling services of REFURB – from Pebbles, in this success – full story here.

Woodlands, North Sands

Nestled into the woodland above North Sands beach, Woodlands is a much-loved family holiday home that was refurbished in 2021 and brought to the holiday letting market for the first time. Surrounded by mature gardens and overlooking the beach, it has been updated to suit modern travellers whilst honouring the historic architecture. Thoughtful details include a spacious water sports room for hanging body boards, swimwear, games and other beach and garden paraphernalia with adjacent shower, a TV and games room, and baskets of blankets by the patio doors to keep guests warm on chilly evenings.

9 The Bay, Cawsand

Part of a small complex of luxury properties, 9 The Bay is a maisonette that hangs over Cawsand beach in Cornwall. Walk into the first-floor maisonette, and underfloor heating warms chilly feet while an ultra-modern open plan, living, kitchen dining area looks out towards the sea. The kitchen creates a seamless feel thanks to hidden amenities and state-of-the-art equipment, and space has been maximised to ensure an optimal beachside experience.

Silver award winners

25 Island Street, Salcombe

A two-bedroom end-of-terrace on Island Square is a former fisherman’s cottage by the historic sea wall, and has been charmingly renovated for modern living. Festoon lighting hangs outside the front door providing a warm welcome. Walk in and you’re greeted by an open plan living, kitchen and dining space that’s decorated in a style that’s modern but sympathetic to the history of the cottage. Everything you could ask for has been artfully installed, from a dedicated wine fridge to lots of storage space housing every utensil for wining and dining after a day on the beach. There’s a separate utility room complete with washer, dryer and hanging space for wetsuits and swimming costumes, and a second entrance from the street so you don’t bring sandy feet into the house. It’s an excellent use of space, preserving the heritage of the property and creating a beautiful holiday home experience.

Blue Haze, Salcombe

Perched on the hillside coming into the seaside town of Salcombe, Blue Haze is blessed with views across the town and the water. The five-bedroom property underwent refurbishment in 2021, bringing the property well and truly into the 21st century. High ceilings, modern conveniences and lots of space add to the appeal of this conveniently located holiday home. Thoughtful touches have included plenty of seating, glass doors leading onto a new wraparound decking area, a barbecue and a dedicated snug area for TV and video games. 

8 Rew An Borthva, Hayle

A three-bedroom, three-bathroom pet-friendly townhouse situated at the prestigious North Quay development in Hayle, 8 Rew An Borthva is a contemporary holiday home just 200 metres from the beach. It has every luxury you could ask for, including a private mooring just moments from the house. Inside it has underfloor heating, super king size beds which can be turned into twin rooms offering great family flexibility, a smart TV, barbecue and a walk-in wardrobe in the master suite.