The Scarlet Hotel, Mawgan Porth, Cornwall

Double room with breakfast, from £230 per night

Sexy is an abused adjective. While lingerie and sports cars can be sexy, the same is not true of toasters. But what about a hotel? A stay at the Scarlet, "Cornwall's luxury eco-hotel", suggests a hotel can fit the description. From its stunning reception, with floor-to-ceiling windows looking over a mirrored pool of water and out to sea, to beautifully designed bedrooms and cliff-top hot tubs, this new retreat offers style, comfort and (without wanting to make it sound like some kind of Cornish swingers' club) sexiness.

The place exudes a relaxing, effortless appeal. Despite its chic decor, the eco-credentials are genuine, as a chat with the hotel's sustainability manager proves. The staff—all "hosts"—play a key part in creating a tranquil atmosphere. We stayed on the opening weekend and although there were a few systems failures (wake up-calls and a shambolic breakfast service), it was easy to forgive. You can't moan about such nice people.

The hotel's Ayurvedic spa offers long, relaxing treatments described as "journeys", and there's a massive relaxation room, plus indoor and outdoor pools. A fabulous restaurant, with a daily changing menu, is based on seasonal, local produce, and head chef Ben Tunnicliffe clearly knows where to get the best ingredients.

Delicious local fish is a mainstay and a daily wine menu, picked to match the food, avoids the need for a sommelier. There's also a large shared table (Ben's Table) where people staying on their own can meet other guests. Couples who have had enough of each other are also welcome. Now, who mentioned swinging?

Richard Cree