About SmartChoice Stays
At SmartChoice Stays, we specialise in offering high-quality short-term rental accommodations across Berkshire and Cornwall. With our head office located in Reading, UK, we are deeply rooted in the communities we serve.
Our mission is to provide a seamless and comfortable experience for guests while supporting property owners with reliable, hands-off property management.We distinguish ourselves through our personalised approach, which is all about forming genuine connections with our clients.
By keeping our portfolio focused, we are able to provide tailored services and ensure consistent quality for our landlords. Our priority is not just to manage properties but to help maximise rental income while delivering exceptional value for guests.
Short-term letting can often feel overwhelming, but at SmartChoice Stays, we aim to take the stress out of the equation. Our local team, based across Berkshire and Cornwall, knows these areas like the back of their hands and is always on hand to provide real, friendly support. No call centres, no automated responses—just genuine people who care about making your stay or rental experience as smooth as possible. If there's ever a question we can't answer right away, we’ll make sure to get the information you need promptly.
Our Properties
✨ Boutique coastal cottage with private parking and beautifully styled interiors, just a short walk from St Ives’ beaches, galleries and cafés.
Karibu — meaning “welcome” — is a light-filled three-bedroom retreat designed for relaxed coastal living, blending hotel-quality finishes with a calm, contemporary feel.
Pet friendly and thoughtfully equipped, it’s an ideal base for families, couples and longer seaside stays.
This direct price is approximately 15% lower than Airbnb & Booking.com — with no service fees.
Your perfect base for families, couples & longer stays in St Ives.
Why you’ll love staying at Karibu:
✨ Stylish three-storey boutique cottage (sleeps 6)
✨ Premium location: peaceful yet close to everything
✨ Short walk to Porthmeor, Porthgwidden & Porthminster beaches
✨ Private allocated parking
✨ Elegant open-plan living with Smart TV, premium kitchen with wine fridge & dishwasher
✨ Coffee station with Dolce Gusto machine, cafetière & syrups
✨ Light-filled Loft Suite with ensuite & partial sea views
✨ Hotel-quality linen, premium toiletries & welcome basket
✨ Books, board games & beach toys for relaxed downtime and seaside fun
✨ Grocery store and bus stop 100 yards away
✨ Pet-friendly
✨ Full Digital Welcome Guide included
A Day at Karibu — Boutique Coastal Moments:
Start your day with breakfast at the breakfast bar before a stroll to Porthmeor for sand, sea and fresh air. Explore St Ives’ galleries, cafés and harbour, then return for warm showers, a favourite film and a cosy evening at your coastal hideaway.
Ideal For:
✨ Families wanting space, comfort and beach access
✨ Couples seeking a calm yet convenient location
✨ Friends exploring St Ives and wider Cornwall
✨ Longer stays needing easy parking & good access routes
✨ Beach lovers wanting equal access to all main beaches
✨ Guests wanting a peaceful home base close — but not in — the busy centre
The Space:
Karibu offers modern, relaxed, high-end living across three floors. Bright, inviting interiors create a welcoming retreat for guests year-round.
Living Area:
A bright, stylish open-plan space with a breakfast bar and boutique-style fireplace — a warm spot to relax after beach days. Enjoy cosy evenings with the Smart TV and streaming apps.
Kitchen:
A modern, fully equipped kitchen with coffee machine, oven, fridge/freezer, microwave, dishwasher and all cookware needed for easy self-catering.
Bedroom 1: First-floor double — soft décor and natural light.
Bedroom 2: First-floor bunk room — full-size bunks.
Bedroom 3: Loft Suite twin — ensuite and partial sea views.
Travel cot and high chair available upon request. Bedding is not provided for the cot. Parents are responsible for suitability and safe use.
Bathrooms:
Modern shower room on first floor
Ensuite shower room in loft suite
For stays of 8 nights or longer, fresh towels are provided mid-stay. An additional cleaning/linen service can be arranged for a small extra charge.
Location:
Karibu sits in a premium position on the edge of St Ives — close enough to walk to beaches and town, yet perfectly placed for quick access to the A30 and wider Cornwall.
What’s nearby:
✨ Beaches (approx. ½ mile): Porthmeor, Porthminster, Porthgwidden
✨ Essentials: grocery store ~100 yards; bus stop outside
✨ Explore West Cornwall: Zennor, Sennen, Land’s End, Hayle, Gwithian, Godrevy, Newquay
✨Pets are welcome for £10 per night per pet. Please note there is no outdoor space at Karibu Cottage. There are lots of parks & dog friendly beaches nearby
✨Private parking for one vehicle is provided in a secure area, 50m from the property.
✨Harts Loft — Your Perfect Beachfront Escape in Beautiful St Ives✨
This direct price is approximately 15% lower than Airbnb & Booking.com — with no service fees.
Harts Loft offers one of the best locations in St Ives — a top-floor coastal retreat with uninterrupted harbour views across St Ives Bay to Carbis Bay and the Hayle Estuary. Steps from the beach, cafés and local bars, it’s the ideal base for couples, families and beach lovers.
Why You’ll Love It Here:
✨ Spectacular panoramic views from the open-plan living, dining and kitchen spaces
✨ Footsteps to Harbour, Bamaluz, Lambeth & Porthminster Beaches — plus 1.5km of sand at low tide
✨ 300m to Porthmeor Beach — Cornwall’s iconic surf spot with stunning sunsets
✨ Wildlife moments — spot seals in the harbour and occasional dolphins
✨ Kid-friendly layout with spacious living and nearby calm beaches
✨ Modern amenities — Smart TV (Netflix, Prime, NOW), fast Wi-Fi, Bose sound system
✨ Tassimo coffee machine, cosy throws, board games & binoculars
✨ Pet-friendly — bring your furry friends
✨ In the heart of St Ives — cafés, galleries, restaurants just moments away
Top Amenities:
✨ Two bedrooms (1 double, 1 twin)
✨ Modern shower room
✨ Smart TV (Netflix, Prime, NOW)
✨ Complimentary Wi-Fi
✨ Bose sound system
✨ Tassimo coffee machine
✨ Board games & binoculars
✨ Mini toiletries & welcome pack
✨ Tea, coffee & basic cooking essentials
✨ Pet-friendly
✨ No smoking
✨ No dedicated parking (public car parks nearby)
For stays of 8 nights or longer, fresh towels are provided mid-stay. An additional cleaning/linen service can be arranged for a small extra charge.
Travel cot and high chair available upon request. Bedding is not provided for the cot. Parents are responsible for suitability and safe use.
A Note on the Surroundings:
Located close to St Ives’ most historic spots, including the Sloop Inn, this prime location offers unbeatable convenience. As it sits in the heart of town, the area can be lively at times. Double-glazed windows help keep things comfortable. Ideal for guests who enjoy being close to the action.
Top Places to Eat:
From relaxed beach cafés to fine dining, enjoy fresh seafood, classic fish & chips or even Michelin-starred options — all within walking distance.
Adventures & Hidden Gems:
As keen explorers of St Ives and the coastline, we share our favourite walks, viewpoints, cafés and local tips in your digital welcome guide, sent before your stay.
Parking:
No private parking, but several public car parks are nearby (around £8/24h). Full details are provided with your booking confirmation.
Getting Here:
Easily accessed via the M5 and A30. Or take the Park & Ride at St Erth and enjoy one of the UK’s most scenic train journeys into St Ives.
Guest Access:
You’ll have full private access to the apartment, including the living area, kitchen, bedrooms and bathroom.
Entrance:
Access is via two steps at the rear of the building. Shared entrance with one other apartment, leading to your private internal staircase with handrail and direct access to the loft.
Host Support:
We respond quickly with local tips, recommendations and assistance. Message us through the platform — replies are usually within an hour between 8am–8pm.
Special Offers:
✨ Extended stays (14+ nights): 10% discount
✨ Last-minute bookings (within 7 days): message for offers
✨ Seasonal deals throughout the year
✨ Referral discount when you recommend a friend
Message us about any current offers — we’re happy to help make your stay even more affordable.
✨ Panoramic Views, Footsteps from the Sand. Sleeps 5
Wake up to floor-to-ceiling sea views across St Ives Bay.
This direct price is approximately 15% lower than Airbnb & Booking.com — with no service fees.
Just 100m from Porthminster Beach and pet friendly, The Observatory offers a beautifully styled coastal stay with front-row views of the Cornish coastline. From sunrise skies to shifting tides and passing boats, the ever-changing seascape becomes part of your stay — best enjoyed from the telescope, cosy reading nook or sea-view window seat.
Why You’ll Love Staying Here:
✨ Panoramic sea views from the main living space
✨ Floor-to-ceiling bay window over Porthminster Beach
✨ 2nd bedroom with double bed & elevated single
✨ Coffee machine, luxury linen & complimentary toiletries
✨ Pet friendly (£10 per night per pet)
✨ Fast WiFi & Smart TV
✨ Train station & car park opposite
✨ Steps to the beach & 1-minute walk into town
Ideal For:
✨ Couples seeking sunrise sea views
✨ Families wanting beach access below
✨ Wildlife watchers & sea swimmers
✨ Car-free train arrivals
✨ Dog owners
✨ Guests who love watching the tide roll in
A rare opportunity to stay above one of Cornwall’s most beautiful bays — a place to pause and experience St Ives from a unique coastal vantage point.
The Observatory
This beautifully positioned apartment centres around a light-filled open-plan lounge and dining space designed to maximise sea views.
Living / Dining: Open-plan room with floor-to-ceiling bay window, layered soft furnishings, Smart TV and sea-view dining for four.
A telescope and cosy reading chair beside the window create the perfect spot to unwind and watch the bay change throughout the day
**While the apartment comfortably sleeps up to five guests, the open-plan lounge and dining space is most suited to groups of four for relaxed dining and seating comfort. **
Kitchen: Fully equipped with oven, hob, fridge/freezer, microwave and dishwasher. Coffee machine included.
Bedroom 1: KingSize bedroom with sea views from bed & Window Seat.
Bedroom 2: Double bed and elevated single bed above.
Shower Room: Modern shower room with heated towel rail.
Travel cot and high chair available upon request. Bedding not provided. Parents responsible for safe use.
Stays of 8+ nights include fresh towels mid-stay. Extra cleaning/linen available for a small charge.
Access
Full private access to the second-floor apartment. Entry via shared main entrance and stairs (no lift). Stairs become slightly steeper near the top; handrails fitted.
Location
Front-row position above the sands of Porthminster Beach. Cafés, harbour, boutiques and galleries are 1 minute stroll away. Tate St Ives and coastal paths are a short stroll away.
Moments from:
✨ Porthminster Beach
✨ St Ives Train Station (branch to St Erth)
✨ Harbour, shops & restaurants
✨ Tate St Ives (~10-minute walk)
✨ South West Coast Path
Arriving by train? The station and long-stay car park are directly opposite.
Parking
No private parking. Train Station Car Park opposite with additional long-stay options nearby. Guidance provided after booking.
Getting Around
🚆 By Train: Scenic St Ives Bay Line connects at St Erth for services to Penzance and Truro.
🚌 By Bus: Regular routes to Carbis Bay, Penzance and Land’s End.
Your Hosts
We are responsive and happy to share local recommendations to help you make the most of your stay.
Special Offers
We offer extended stay discounts, seasonal promotions and occasional last-minute or referral savings — message us to check what’s currently available.
