Let’s kick back and relax at one of Cornwall’s top holiday resorts, Una St Ives, with a Dip n Dine session.
Una St Ives is a luxury holiday resort in Carbis Bay. Offering residents and visitors a refined, contemporary coastal setting, it’s the perfect place to escape and indulge in some rest and recuperation.
Una St Ives is open to non-residents. You can enjoy the food, including a woodfired Sunday lunch, plus spa days and treatments, or one of their Dip and Dine sessions. The Una Dip n Dine sessions take place on specific evenings and mornings. They’re excellent value at £25 for a morning slot and £30 for an evening time. You have access to Una’s facilities and get to enjoy the mouthwatering food before or after your swim.
One Monday, myself and Marcus experienced a blissful day at Una St Ives. We enjoyed the facilities available and then tasted the delicious food created by Cornish Head Chef, Glenn Gatland.
Swimming and leisure facilities at Una St Ives
Visiting Una St Ives, I couldn’t wait to swim in the new lido. It always looks so inviting in the photos I’ve seen. Entering the light and neutrally decorated swimming pool area, I could see artwork by Nina Brooke hanging above the sun loungers. I noticed that along with the lido and indoor swimming pool, we also had use of the sauna, steam room, and the hot tub.
We decided to start with a swim in the beautiful lido. Heated at 25º, it’s comfortable to swim in, even during winter. We totally lucked out with the weather too; it was glorious for February. We stayed in the lido for a while and made the most of it. I couldn’t help but feel like I was on holiday. The lido gave us all the mediterranean feels with its blue hues and tasteful poolside coastal planters.
Inside, we had a short swim in the pool before heading into the steam room. Marcus and I found ourselves completely unwinding as the steam, with a subtle eucalyptus aroma, gently swirled around the room. I’m not going to lie, it was hard to move but we eventually made our way to the sauna before getting changed and heading to Una kitchen for lunch.
Food and drink at Una kitchen
By the time we finished our swim, we were ready to eat. I’d already eyed up the menu online (totally couldn’t help it) and knew we were going to be spoilt for choice. Cornish chef, Glenn Gatland, produces high quality dishes using seasonal, local food that’s hard to resist.
We had an alcohol free lunch. Marcus went for a 0% beer while I opted for one of Una’s mocktails, Life’s a Peach. A delicious mix of pineapple juice, peach juice and lime. For his starter, Marcus decided to have the salt and pepper squid with soy and honey sauce, sugar snaps peas and spring onions. I chose the beetroot hummus with woodfired flatbread.
Marcus was very happy with the squid. It was cooked to perfection, with the soy and honey dip offering just the right combination of salt and sweet flavours. I was equally satisfied with the beetroot hummus. The colour alone was fabulous but I love the earthy taste of beetroot. The starters were excellent, and just the right size, leaving room for the main course.
For his mains, Marcus went for the pork and apple burger in a sourdough bun, red slaw, rocket, mayo and fries. It looked fantastic and tasted just as good. The burger was a good size with the apple adding a gentle sweetness to the meat.
For my mains, I had wood roasted local hake, smoked paprika crushed new potatoes, citrus dressing and rocket. It was so good! The hake was plump and meaty, and the potatoes subtly flavoured with paprika.
I think it’s fair to say we devoured our food. Even though the dessert menu was tempting, our tummies were full so we decided to have a coffee.
We left Una St Ives feeling incredibly relaxed, nurtured and content. This was our first visit, and I know it won’t be our last (I may’ve booked up already!). If only all days off were like this.
There’s plenty of information on The Great Cornish Outdoors about St Ives. You can find a St Ives beach guide and what a day out in St Ives has to offer.
We were invited to use the facilities and dine at Una St Ives but the views here are my own. We absolutely loved it!