Is The Nici Newquay worth it? In short, yes, especially if you're travelling with your dog.
The Nici is a brand-new luxury hotel in Newquay, Cornwall, a few minutes' walk from Great Western Beach, with an ocean-view spa and a genuinely warm welcome for dogs.
I stayed with Ralph, my cavapoo and favourite travel buddy, after a five-hour drive from Surrey. There were moments on the A30 where I questioned my life choices, but I'm a beach girl through and through, and the second I smelt that sea air I knew it was worth it.
In this honest review of The Nici Newquay, I'll cover the rooms, the spa, the food, how the dog-friendly policy works, the best dog-friendly things to do in Newquay, and the one upgrade I'd skip next time.
First impressions of The Nici Newquay: brand-new luxury
You know that smell when you walk into somewhere that's genuinely brand new?
That was my first moment at The Nici. Everything felt fresh, polished and properly upmarket and even the entrance in felt abundant, the door man was adorable so polite and helpful and helped me with all of my bags and took me to the reception.
The interiors are absolutely stunning.
Every corner has been thought about, and it's the little details that make it feel special rather than just another nice hotel.
I kept stopping to take photos (sorry, not sorry) its a really beautiful hotel and even in the downstairs toilets the mirror was all little surf boards, its modern, its chic and its vibey.
The staff were amazing across the board. Warm, helpful, and genuinely lovely with Ralph, which always wins me over
When I checked in I also had a cute little drinks token for a cocktail or mocktail which was such a nice touch.
Is the sea view room at The Nici worth paying extra for?
I always promise to keep it real with you, so here goes. I paid almost double for a sea view balcony room, and it wasn't really a sea view,I was disappointed.
From what I could tell, the rooms with the best views are on the fourth floor,But dogs are only allowed on the first floor, so if you're travelling with your pup, you won't get that proper sweeping ocean view.
The room itself was still gorgeous, and I'd happily stay in it again as I said before the interiors and attention to details in the room where amazing, the bathrooms are gorgeous, the bed was huge and snuggley and so comfy.
But if the view really matters to you, I personally didn't feel the upgrade was worth paying double. Save your money and spend it in the spa instead (trust me on this one).
The Nici Newquay spa: an ocean-view pool and heated massage beds
This was the highlight of my stay was the spa at The Nici is gorgeous, and the pool looks straight out to the ocean. Floating in warm water while watching the waves crash outside is my idea of heaven. I could have stayed there all day with my book
Alongside the pool there's a sauna, a steam room and a hydro pool, so you can easily lose a whole afternoon there and theres plently of relaxation beds and sun loungers
I booked one of their signature massages with Demi, and she was incredible. The treatment bed was heated and it was juyst so dreamy, Afterwards, you're taken through to a relaxation room with a selection of snacks to slowly come back down to earth and soak up all the peace
If you only book one thing at The Nici, make it a spa treatment because its so so worth it
Dining at The Nici: room service and breakfast with ocean views
One evening I stayed in and had a snuggley room service and self care night with treatments after a loing day of exploring boith ralph and myself was exhausted so I ordered room service.
I had the flat chicken and it was amazing. Sometimes the best nights away are the ones in a fluffy robe with your dog snuggled up next to you
Breakfast comes with beautiful ocean views, which sets the tone for the day.
I went for the continental, which was fine but not the best I've had.,That said, I'm a big food-watcher, and lots of the hot dishes going past looked incredible. Next time I'm ordering off the menu
Hotel facilities: a private cinema and free parking
There's a cinema in the hotel where you can curl up and watch a film, which is perfect if the Cornish weather does its thing or if you have children
Parking is on site and free of charge, and it felt really safe. After a five-hour drive, not having to hunt for a space is a luxury in itself
Is The Nici Newquay dog friendly?
Yes, and properly so,The Nici is one of the most dog-friendly luxury hotels I've stayed at in Cornwall. There were lots of dogs staying, so Ralph never felt like he was just being tolerated and all of the staff absoulety loved him, he was also welcome in almost all areas which is a massive bonus when travelling with your dog
Dog-friendly rooms are on the first floor.
Dog fee: I paid around £30 extra per night for Ralph.
In the room: there was a water bowl, but no dog bed when we arrived, so I had to ask for one. We also didn't get the dog treats the hotel advertises.
Dog walks: Great Western Beach is a three-to-four-minute walk, perfect for morning and evening strolls.
Out and about: most of the cafés, restaurants and boutiques nearby were dog friendly too.
If you or someone you're travelling with has a dog allergy, ask for a room that hasn't been used by dogs.
Dog-friendly things to do in Newquay
Location is one of the best things about The Nici Newquay, especially for dog walks. The Nici sits on Newquay high street, and Great Western Beach is just a three-to-four-minute walk away. You can also walk to Fistral Beach, famous for hosting Boardmasters.
Ralph and I walked the coastline for over three hours one day, and he absolutely loved it. Here's where we stopped along the way:
Box & Barber for coffee and a pastry. Honestly the best, and a perfect pit stop mid-walk.
Blend for a smoothie bowl, which I really enjoyed.
Lusty Glaze for a sundowner. The beach is privately owned, but there's a gorgeous restaurant and bar down on the sand with live music. It's a whole vibe, and the sunset was one of the most beautiful I've ever seen.
Fish and chips on the beach.Very British, but I couldn't resist.
A Cornish pasty obviously. You can't go to Cornwall without one.
Theres so many dog walks you can go on
visit watergate bay
Sauna cliff tops This was so good having a cliff top sauna on the beach
Take a surf lesson
Newquay zoo
There are loads of cute boutiques to have a mooch around too, and I found most places were dog friendly, which makes such a difference when you're travelling with your pup but also without a dog who doesnt love a shop around some of the cutest little boutique surf shops, it was a entire vibe itself the whole laid back surf vibes and hundreds of cute coffee shops
Tips for staying at The Nici Newquay with a dog
Dogs stay on the first floor only.If you're bringing your dog, that's where you'll be.
The best sea views are higher up. In my opinion the fourth floor is where you get the real ocean view, so think twice before paying extra for a sea view room on a lower floor.
Dog allergies? There are lots of dogs at the hotel, so request a room that hasn't been used by dogs. As far as I'm aware, dogs are only on the first floor, but it's worth asking.
Dog fee: around £30 extra per night. Check there's a dog bed in your room when you arrive, as I had to ask for ours.
Parking: free and on site.
Book the spa. Genuinely the best part of the stay.
The Nici Newquay FAQs
Is The Nici Newquay dog friendly?
Yes. Dogs stay in first-floor rooms. Our room had a water bowl, but I had to ask for a dog bed, and we didn't receive the advertised dog treats.
How much extra per night is it to bring a dog to The Nici Newquay?
I paid around £30 extra per night for Ralph, on top of the room rate. It's worth checking the current fee when you book.
How far is The Nici from the beach?
Great Western Beach is about a three-to-four-minute walk, and you can walk to Fistral Beach too
Does The Nici Newquay have a spa?
Yes. There's an ocean-view pool, sauna, steam room and hydro pool, plus treatments like the signature massage.
Is there parking at The Nici Newquay?
Yes, there's free on-site parking.
Is the sea view room at The Nici worth it?
In my experience, only if you're on a higher floor. Dog-friendly rooms are on the first floor, where the sea view is limited.
So, is The Nici Newquay worth it?
We loved our stay. The Nici is one of the best dog-friendly luxury hotels I've found in the UK: brand new, beautifully designed, steps from the beach, with a spa I'm still dreaming about.
My biggest concern was the sea view upgrade, and now you know to skip it unless you're up on the fourth floor. The dog welcome could be a little more polished too: I had to ask for Ralph's bed, and the advertised treats never appeared.
For a beach lover like me, it was well worth the five-hour drive. Ralph agrees too and we will go back and stay again
Thinking of booking a Cornwall getaway, with or without your four-legged friend?
I'd love to help you plan it. Send me a message and I'll find you a great rate, plus all my little insider tips. And if you've ever wondered how I get to travel like this as part of my work, ask me about that too.
