With a passion for the groups’ market and owned by an award-winning coach operator, the Portbyhan Hotel shines
There are a number of contributing factors that help make group trips successful, and booking the right accommodation is of upmost importance.
Hotels with an extra special welcome to groups will leave a lasting impression, and you can’t get much more group-friendly than the Portbyhan Hotel in Looe, southeast Cornwall.
With an unrivalled position right in the heart of Looe, and views overlooking the harbour, the hotel provides the ideal base for exploring the coastal town, as well as the surrounding area.
Award-winning hotel
Owned by Pontypridd-based Edwards Coaches since June 2013, the Portbyhan Hotel has since undergone a full refurbishment of over £2.1m, contributing to the hotel winning Best Individual Hotel at the National Coach Tourism Awards.
The hotel has 44 en suite bedrooms, including two wheelchair accessible rooms, which have wet rooms. It is also accessible throughout with a lift that can take guests to the reception, restaurant and bar, and another lift to the rooms.
Along with free wi-fi, comfortable rooms, and a welcoming reception, the Portbyhan Hotel also has a restaurant and bar.
The Portside Brasserie & Terrace has wonderful river views of the working fish market and the hustle and bustle of the traditional harbour town, while the bar is an excellent space for guests to enjoy a drink and socialise.
The bar has regular evening entertainment, and there is even a roof garden, which has a sun canopy and an infrared heating system, so guests can relax and enjoy a drink day or night.
Especially for groups
The checking in process for groups is made as easy as possible.
On arrival, groups are invited to sit in the restaurant area so they can enjoy a drink and the harbour view while their room keys and information are handed to them. Groups therefore don’t have to worry about queuing at reception – or their luggage, as porter service is always included.
There are group rates and also free rooms for the coach driver. Three single room supplements are offered free of charge and after that the cost is £20 per room.
Although there is no on-site coach parking at the hotel, drivers can drop their passengers off outside the hotel’s main entrance and then park at the Millpool car park, which is a five-minute walk away.
In capable hands
The hotel’s Group and Guest Relations Manager, Ann Lines, has over 25 years’ experience working in the coach market, so group organisers and coach tour operators can be rest assured that their groups are in capable hands.
Ann’s passion for accommodating coach groups and welcoming them to the Portbyhan Hotel really shines, with one coach driver even commenting that she is ‘the face of the hotel’.
She also meets and greets each coach group, going onto the coach and welcoming them to the hotel, as well as waving the group off at the end of their stay.
Ann makes herself available to groups as much as she can so they know she is there if they have any problems. This includes sitting in the restaurant to eat with the coach driver.
“If I experience what guests experience then I can witness first-hand if there are any issues,” explains Ann. “It is also a chance for the guests to raise any concerns with me if there are any and I can communicate with the drivers to ensure everything runs smoothly.”
A rest stop
While the hotel is a popular choice for groups to stay, the restaurant and brasserie make for a perfect meal stop for coach groups in the area or passing through Looe as well.
The restaurant serves lunches for coach stops from 1200-1500hrs – as evening meals are only catered for groups staying at the hotel – or the brasserie provides somewhere for groups to relax with a drink.
From traditional cream teas to a selection of hot meals – such as fish and chips, curry and rice, fish morney, suet puddings and pies – and homemade desserts, the restaurant offers food to suit all types of tastes and budgets.
It is essential that coach groups pre-book before they stop at the Portbyhan Hotel for lunch.
Catering for groups
Group rates and set menus are available, including an option for a tailor-made menu for groups to choose from.
Those staying at the hotel have a three-course menu to choose from each night, with each course having three choices to choose from.
Tables can be arranged to seat two, four, six people, or larger tables can be organised if requested in advance.
The hotel also caters for most food allergies as long as staff are made aware in advance.
Lovely Looe
The location of Portbyhan Hotel is perfect for groups wanting to explore Looe. If groups fancy a stroll, the town centre is just a short walk over the seven-arched bridge. Those looking for a more novel way of getting to the many shops, tearooms, pubs and restaurants can take a short boat ride to the other side of the harbour.
Looe Museum is located in the 15th century Old Guildhall. Here visitors will find a collection of historical objects, such as toys, domestic equipment, military regalia, smuggling memorabilia and model boats. There are a number of more ancient exhibits with several prehistoric artefacts from the area, and the museum also covers the social and economic history of the town.
The South West Coast Path passes through the town, and there are many walks in the surrounding countryside, or along the two rivers that flow inland for groups to explore.
Nearby towns
The Portbyhan Hotel provides an ideal base to explore some of the picturesque towns in Cornwall.
How about the charming fishing port of Padstow on the north coast of Cornwall? Here groups will find a great mix of houses, quays, boat slips, inns, cafés and restaurants, gift and craft shops, and food shops.
There’s also the National Lobster Hatchery where visitors can learn the fascinating world of lobsters and their environment. Alternatively, groups can step back in time at Padstow Town Museum and discover the history of Padstow through its displays. The museum is open from Easter to the end of October and admission is free.
Padstow town centre is unsuitable for coaches, but there are two coach parks: The Railway Car Park – limited to 4 hours – and Cornwall Council Ring Road Car Park.
In the narrow streets of Mevagissey, groups will find many gift shops, craft workshops, galleries, cafés, fish and chip shops and pubs. There is also the World of Model Railways Exhibition, Mevagissey Museum, and an aquarium displaying locally caught fish.
Coach parking is at Willow Car and Coach Park, which is also the drop-off and pick-up point.
Group and Guest Relations Manager, Ann Lines, is on hand to welcome your groups and can also offer help with itinerary suggestions. Call Ann on 07535 436075 or email Sales@Portbyhan.com for more information.
Nearby attractions
Bodmin and Wenford Railway
Join the train for a leisurely 13-mile journey through scenic Cornish countryside. Pre-booked groups of 10+ receive a discount on standard train services and this includes reserved seating. Cornish cream teas can be served during the journey in the dining coach or at the Steamers Café for an additional cost. Guided tours of Bodmin General Station are also available.
Eden Project
Groups will love exploring the world's largest geodesic domes: The Humid Tropical Biome and the Warm Temperate Biome. Outside there is a series of landscaped gardens to enjoy a diverse collection of plants. Packages and discounts are available for groups of 15+. Guided tours can be arranged and there is 20% off group rates for winter season visits.
Lanhydrock
A late Victorian country house with gardens and wooded estate for groups to explore. Groups can discover two sides of Victorian life: From the kitchens, nurseries and servants' quarters, to the luxurious family areas. Or take a stroll around the extensive gardens and enjoy their year-round colour. Group rates apply for 15+. There is onsite coach parking and a café.
Tintagel Castle
The ruins are linked with the legend of King Arthur and perched on a rocky headland overlooking the Atlantic coastline. There is a café offering a real taste of Cornwall, including cream teas. Groups of 11 or more visitors paying together get 15% off the admission price and the average length of visit is two hours. There is no coach parking onsite, but there is space for coaches in Tintagel village.
The Lost Gardens of Heligan
Located around 30 miles away for Looe, the largest garden restoration in Europe is home to a National Collection of camellias and rhododendrons. There are over 200 acres to explore and so a minimum of a half-day visit is recommended. Group rates apply and guided tours can be pre-booked for £3pp.
