Blog Details

We are a Visit England Accredited Hotel with rooms situated throughout 4 floors. The hotel has no lift due to the grade 2 listed building status meaning we can't make alterations to install one. We will of course, help with luggage though.

Our food is traditional and cooked using fresh produce of fish, meats, vegetables & dairy sourced from Scilly & Cornwall where possible. Our style is not nouvelle cuisine or a fancy Michelin Star type restaurant.

Our experienced staff offer excellent & attentive service, far beyond the normal expectations for a 2 star rated hotel

Our swimming pool is 8 metres x 4 metres and so neither small, or Olympic size! An unusual extra facility compared to even many other hotels. Its size is governed by available space, and is covered in and heated.

Our rooms are comfortable & furnished to the same standard. All are en suite with either bath, shower or both, and some are compact, hence the special offer lower tariff for these.

The hotel is situated in the centre of Hugh Town, at the quieter side and is ideally positioned for easy access to the harbour for inter island boats to the inhabited islands of Tresco, Bryher, St Agnes & St Martins.

I try to post regular photographs of the islands, and you can see more of the hotel in the photo galleries on the right hand side of the page.

If you would like to contact us please feel free to email or telephone:
contact@bellrockhotel.co.uk Tel. 01720 422575

Saturday 30 July 2011

Saturday 30th July 2011

Another beautiful day today. Clear blue skies, flat calm sea... I'm, just hoping it will be the same again for Sunday (my day off!)

St Mary's Harbour 8.30am



Porthcressa Beach - Busy in the afternoon

Peninnis

Old Town Bay 9pm

Friday 29th July 2011

What a scorcher! It was blazing sunshine on my walk around the east coast of St Mary's but luckily there was a breeze to take the edge off the sun, but out of the breeze it was intensly hot!

Carn Leh & Old Town Bay

Porth Hellick

Tuesday 26th July 2011

I went out for a long walk in the afternoon around the north end of St Mary's, and it was a pleasant day; warm & bright, but then around 2pm the mist rolled in briefly for about half an hour... so this picture is rather an unfair depiction of the day!


In case you are wondering where I was when I took the photo, it's taken from Innisidgen looking towards the Eatern Isles & St Martins!

Visitor Book - 02.07.11 to 28.07.11

Visitor Book - 14.06.11 to 01.07.11

Guest Letter of Thanks

Tuesday 26 July 2011

Sunday 24th & Monday 25th July 2011

After the glorious sunshine on Saturday, it was a shame to be shrouded in fog for 2 days! It didn't matter a great deal on Sunday as there is no scheduled flying of planes & helicopters, but it caused disruption on Monday and no flights came or went from the islands.

Sunday 27th July:

Carn Leh - Old Town, reflecting in the still water


Carn Leh Porth

Monday 25th July:

No movements on the runways today! The sign says "No Loitering" ...Not a problem today though!

Saturday 23rd July 2011

Glorious sunshine on my walk around Peninnis. The first couple of pictures of Porthcressa bay are a bit over exposed as the sun was right in the camera, but the 3rd one of Old Town was the other way, so the clear blue sky is much more visible.



Saturday 23 July 2011

Guest Email of Thanks

----- Original Message -----
From: Gillian Scott
To: Bell Rock Hotel
Sent: Friday, July 22, 2011 5:53 PM
Subject: Re: Bell Rock Hotel


Dear Mr Lawson,
Thank you for a lovely holiday at the Bell Rock Hotel. The service was excellent and our room was very clean and comfortable.
We found the location ideal, very close to the beaches, shops and the bus route.
The sea was beautiful but rather too cold for swimming and so the hotel pool was a welcome treat and was very warm. It would be good if it could be open for a little longer into the evening as we sometimes found there wasn't time for a swim after a full day out.
Paul's boat trips were great and we saw all the other islands. We were lucky enough to see some puffins on the way to St Agnes before they disappear later in the month.
We hope to return to Scilly again soon.
Jill and John Scott.


***Daniel's Reply***

Dear Mr & Mrs Scott,

Thank you for your kind words, and I'm pleased you had an enjoyable stay here. I shall pass your comments to Paul also. The Puffins are just about to leave, so you timed it just right to see them.

I shall discuss your comments about the swimming pool with the proprietors. The reasons for the 6pm closure of the pool is due to the dinner service commencing, and also chemicals are regularly added to the pool at this time.

Kind regards,

Daniel

Thursday 21 July 2011

Guest Review Extracted From TripAdvisor

“Very Impressed”

Reviewed 20 July 2011

Very well maintained Hotel. Staff & Food excellent.
Usually go for 4 Star accomodation but booked here due to other peoples recommendations. Can't believe this is only rated as 2star as much better than a lot of 4 star establishments.
Most enjoyable stay - would highly recommend.

Stayed July 2011, travelled as a couple

Monday 18 July 2011

Guest Review Extracted From TripAdvisor

“Everything you could ask for and more”

Reviewed 17 July 2011

This was our first visit to the Isles of Scilly and it proved a memorable week both as a consequence of the superb location but also because of the excellent hotel. From the warm and friendly greeting on arrival, to the first view of our spotless Room 2 overlooking the bay, through to our departure five days later I can only speak in positives.
Though not large and with some low beams, our room was well furnished and the bed was particularly comfortable. Washing and toilet faciliites were quite adequate.
The entire hotel has a comfortable, relaxed feel and is maintained with great attention to detail and impressive cleanliness.
All the staff were always friendly and courteous with a genuine desire to offer any assistance required. This was very evident at breakfast and dinner where the service was punctual but not obtrusive. The menu changed daily and the food was presented attractively and of an excellent quality.
Though not a criticism amd only a minor point it would have been appreciated if coffee could have been offered at table rather than in the communal lounge. Whilst very happy to share pleasantries, not all guests feel the need to impose themselves on others after dinner.
We found Paul Hicks visits over breakfast in the morning to discuss boat trips for the day helpful and informative. We also appreciated his willingness to recommend another provider when he could not meet our needs.
The hotel can be justly proud of its high rating. Certainly, when we visit Scilly again as surely we must, it is to the Bell Rock Hotel that we will turn.

Stayed July 2011, travelled as a couple

Friday 15 July 2011

Thursday 14th July 2011

I went for a walk around the Garrison in the afternoon, and took a few pictures. Beautiful day!




Thursday 14 July 2011

Guest Review Extracted From TripAdvisor (Plus footnote comments from me)

“A loo with a view!”

Reviewed 13 July 2011

We stayed in Room 2 at the top of the stairs with sea views both sides of the building - a lovely room. Hotel is wonderful - clean, comfortable, very friendly staff, gorgeous food, lovely swimming pool. Very reasonable rates too. Great location too, just outside the main town area.
A recent reviewer liked the daily visits from a boatman - we found them rather too "in your face" at the breakfast table and difficult to decline. We felt it would have been much more appropriate for him simply to announce where he was planning to visit that day and to ask interested customers to see him in the lounge.
Thank you for a super holiday.

Room Tip: Book early (12 months!) - be flexible with dates
Stayed July 2011, travelled with friends

___________________________________________________________________________

***Footnote From Daniel***

I'm really pleased you enjoyed your stay here, and that Room 2 was comfortable for you. I think Mr & Mrs Prince have started something here with the "Loo with a View" comment! This comment was first labelled to Room 18, rather than room 2 which has a different view (the back of the hotel & Buzza Hill). I guess, if you leave the bathroom door open, you can see out the front window over towards Tresco, but it would depend on how relaxed you are with your fellow traveller!!
The comments about Paul are a first I've heard. It worried me, so this morning I kept an ear out during breakfast service whilst he was there. I have to say that he was chatting pleasantly to the guests, and offering advice to a couple of them when informed that they weren't going boating and staying on St Mary's instead, which was gratefully received. He didn't appear pushy in any way. I shall however, pass on this observation so that he is aware.

Tuesday 12 July 2011

Sunday 10th July 2011 - Bryher

Guest Review Extracted From TripAdvisor

“Another lovely holiday”

Reviewed 11 July 2011

This is an excellent hotel. Good food and comfort but above all it is extremely friendly - both the staff and guests genuinely appear to like one another and talk to one another.
The daily visits by Paul Hicks the boatman are a bonus as his trips are also excellent.
We shall return again.

Stayed June 2011, travelled as a couple

Monday 11 July 2011

Guest Review Extracted From TripAdvisor

“What a Gem!”

Reviewed 9 July 2011

We couldn't believe that this hotel was rated as "2 stars". It is better than a lot of 4 star hotels that we have stayed in. It was spotlessly clean. The staff were friendly and very helpful. It was run so efficiently that it was so easy to sit back and enjoy a relaxing holiday, without any hindrance or worries. There was a good choice of food on the menus and well presented and delicious! If we were to go back to the Scilly Isles again we would definitely stay at the Bell Rock Hotel.

Stayed July 2011, travelled as a couple

Tuesday 5 July 2011

Beautiful Sunset Photograph Over Samson - Sent By Mr & Mrs Prior In Wiltshire

----- Original Message -----
From: Wiltshire Flag
To: Bell Rock Hotel
Sent: Tuesday, July 05, 2011 8:49 AM

Subject: SAMSON SUNSET

Hello Daniel

Just found this in the camera.

Mike and Phyllis Prior

Guest Photo Taken From Room 18

----- Original Message -----
From: K GOODGER
To: bellrock.hotel@btclick.com
Sent: Monday, July 04, 2011 8:21 PM

Subject: photo from room 18

Hello again Daniel
have attached a photo I took on our last day with you from the 'loo with a view'. Thought maybe you would like to have it for your blog site.
Thanks again for looking after us both so well, we both really hope to be back with you again one day.
Judith Goodger.

Monday 4 July 2011

Guest Review Extracted From TripAdvisor

“A little bit of Heaven on earth”

Reviewed 3 July 2011

If you want somewhere to totally relax and unwind and be totally looked after as well then look no further. The Bell Rock Hotel is top of the list for comfort, food and service of a really high standard. Nothing was too much for any of the staff! The food was superb, the accomodation as clean as a new pin (you could see your face in the brass) and the staff extremely friendly. Even the stairs were a joy to walk up for the view you knew would be waiting for you. Thank you Daniel and all the staff for a truly memorable wedding anniversary, the cake was gorgeous. I truly hope to return somwetime soon but, if I nevfer ever set foot on St Mary's again I will always remember 'The loo with a view!'

Room Tip: Room 18 has beautiful views overlooking Tresco.

Stayed June 2011, travelled with family

Sunday 3rd July 2011

The Cruise Ship Minerva was visiting the islands:


St Martins was scorching hot all day, with clear blue skies and warm sea as the tide came back in after lunch over the hot sands of St Martins sand flats.




I also tried a panoramic photo using my mobile, but it was hard to match up the frames as the sun was so bright, I could hardly see the phone's screen:

Saturday 2nd July 2011

The weather was glorious all day, and the evening was no exeption. I walked down to Old Town to play in a charity gig at the inn, carrying a fleece for the walk home at the end of the night, but still didn't need to put it on at gone 11.30pm it was so warm.

Saturday 2 July 2011

Guest Thank You Card

Guest Email of Thanks

----- Original Message -----
From: Nigel.Porter@***********
To: bellrock.hotel@btclick.com
Sent: Friday, July 01, 2011 4:10 PM
Subject: My recent stay

Hello June, Chris , Daniel and all the staff

I must just write a few words to a big thank you to all of you for making my stay enjoyable and relaxing as ever. You manage to make everyone feel special and it is such friendly and warm place to stay. Also to Alison for allowing me to have a portion both of the ginger and syrup puddings (they were great) I now on a diet.

Already looking forward to next year.

Once again many thanks

Nigel Porter

Saturday 2nd July 2011

Another glorious day! ...This was my walk to work this morning :)


Friday 1 July 2011

1st July 2011 - About Time For Some Photos!!

Well, it's now July 1st (Exactly Mid Season)... and the nights are now drawing in. What?! More like summer is well & truly here!!! The sun has been beaming down strong, giving us glorious settled weather with beautiful blue skies; Oh Yes, this is Scilly!! :)
Apologies for the lack of Scilly photos of late. It's been a tad busy this last month, but I took one of the St Agnes Lighthouse on my day off on Sunday 26th June:


...And I couldn't resist popping over the road this morning from the Hotel to take a couple of pictures of the harbour: Friday 1st July 2012:



Beautiful! We can cope with this for another couple of months I reckon!