Meaning View of the Sea in Cornish gorgeous Gwel an Mor is located just above the idyllic historic harbour and beach town of Portreath on the north coat of Cornwall.

Perched on a hill in a breath taking parkland setting overlooking the Atlantic Ocean, the collection of luxury holiday lodges make up the splendid multi-award winning five-star location.

The excellent comfortable lodges blend into the countryside. Each offers a relaxed but high-end style.

The two and three-bedroom lodges at Gwel an Mor are equipped with absolutely everything you may need for your opulent stay.

The facilities include an ultra-modern and quite fabulously fun log burner, which kept one of our group intrigued and occupied for quite some time. The unit really does pump out the heat for cosy nights when required.

The oh-so-stylish hot tub on the veranda, we discovered even in a light rain, is absolute bliss. The tub is switched on all the time to maintain optimum temperature and comfort so there really is no excuse not to slip into its welcoming waters at any and every spare moment - first thing in the morning, for a quick restorative dip at lunch time and then again while enjoying sparkling sundowners and canapés.

Each of the lodges has a sundeck equipped with loungers and ours also had uninterrupted views of the countryside and tempting glimpses of the Atlantic.

The Residences, set in breathtaking scenery, are the latest style to be unveiled as part of the Gwel an Mor collection.

Eco-friendly, the stylish retreats are designed, constructed and furnished to the highest specifications providing an eclectic mix of luxury and sustainability.

From the sleek, plush, uber cool kitchen with useful island to the roomy bedrooms with crisp white linen, lose-yourself-in towelling robes and bath and wet rooms, the retreats are the first and last word in luxury.

TVs abound - there is even one at the foot of the bath in the bathroom (which was very useful for keeping up to date with the Six Nations, as it happens).

But it's outside in the resort that the awesome place really comes alive.

Gwel an Mor’s clubhouse features a fully-equipped gym, fabulous indoor pool, Jacuzzi, steam room and sauna.

There is also a children’s play area, tennis courts and a climbing centre for the more adventurous.

There is bicycle hire with a forest of cycle tracks within easy pedalling distance and a soon-to-be open golf course.

The Wellbeing Spa offers an extensive menu of pampering from facial treatments to body and cosmetic indulgences aimed at relaxing revitalising and rejuvenating using marine inspired products.

One of our party thoroughly enjoyed her hot stones massage - a very relaxing treat administered in professional and understated manner.

The Terrace Restaurant is an informal but simply stunning bistro-style venue. Led by executive chef Joe Lado there is an emphasis on local sourcing and he uses the very best ingredients the south west has to offer.

We enjoyed delicacies such as pan-fried slow cooked duck leg; wonderful baked goat’s cheese; Cornish crab & salmon fishcakes and further indulged in stunning catch of the day chunk of hake, which tasted as if it had been landed that morning; scrummy slow-cooked belly pork and outstanding Aberdeen Angus sirloin steak. We were impressed also at the range, variety and sheer tastiness and attention to detail of vegetarian/vegan plates of food, which two of our party of five really enjoyed.

The desserts were completely decadent but we’d done some fairly energetic things so we felt we’d earned the right to fully indulge.

We all took advantage of the chance to get some practice in the climbing wall at the clip’n’climb area at Base Camp which was a real physical and mental test and all under knowledeable and professional tutelage of the outstanding climbing guides.

Located adjacent to Faedon Farm the resort offers the chance for a truly unique experience, getting up close to a mind blowing variety of wildlife. Aimed both at youngsters and adults alike the ranger guided activities are located at the resort’s very own wildlife and conservation centre.

We took the chance to get close and personal with the resident Harris Hawk and majestic barn owl and meet the other tame animals including hedgehogs, pigs goats, snakes, not everyone’s favourite admittedly, lovely donkeys and even a reindeer. A real high light was meeting and petting the resident foxes.

Although not open when we were there but due to be functioning this summer the resort’s nine-hole golf course and fishing lake will add further to the myriad of attractions at the wonderful resort.

Named The Famous Nine at Gwel an Mor the golf course is aimed at being a tribute to the best holes from St Andrews to Augusta, Royal Troon and Sawgrass, Pebble Beach to Carnoustie. First tee off is due in the summer after 200,000 tons of earth has been imported and 20,000 tons dig out to complete various water features.

Inspired by the fresh air we hired top of the range bikes from the resort and set off on a cycle through the nearby woods taking advantage of the disused Mineral Tramway heritage trail. Easily accessed from Gwel an Mor the restored 19th century tramway route is perfect and traffic free and also offers an intriguing insight into Cornwall’s rich mining history and culture.

The location of the resort is unbeatable. We took a stroll down to the beach on the one morning and skimmed stones across the sea-then had an ice cream. Sun, sand, sea and ice cream and all in Cornwall-perfect. We drove the short distance to Land’s End which is stupendous by the way. We enjoyed indisputably the best pasties in Cornwall and therefore the world at internationally renowned Philps in Hayle.

We also stocked up on clotted cream, strawberry jam and scones - well you’ve got to build up weight somehow if you want to lose it!