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Retallack Resort & Spa in Cornwall - Reviews And Discounts
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Retallack Resort and Spa is one of the larger holiday parks in Cornwall. It covers about 150 acres and is owned by Away Resorts which took over the site when it merged with Aria Resort in 2021.
Here's our guide to Retallack Resort and Spa including advice on:
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Cornwall's only Flowrider can be found at Retallack Resort and Spa
1. Customer reviews of Retallack Resort and Spa
Overall, Retallack Resort and Spa scores 4/5 on TripAdvisor and 4.3/5 on Google reviews. I like to bundle the scores together to get a score of 8.3/10.
For comparison purposes, both of Haven's holiday parks in Cornwall score 8.4/10 (Perran Sands and Riviere Sands). Holiday parks in Cornwall run by Parkdean Resorts range from 9/10 (Crantock Beach Holiday Park) to 6.8/10 (Lizard Point Holiday Park).
On TripAdvisor, Retallack scores 4/5 for Cleanliness, Service and Value but achieves a 4.5/5 for location. About 41% of visitors give Retallack a five star rating, whilst another 28% give it a score of four stars. In total then, about 7 out of 10 visitors consider it to be either 'very good' or 'excellent'.
Google's review scores give more detail than TripAdvisor, with average ratings given to the closest 0.1/5 rather than the closest half. With a little digging, you can also get more detail on what guests thought. The location scored 4.4/5 for its proximity to 'things to do' but a lower score of 3/5 for 'proximity to transit'. Honestly, I wouldn't see this as a big problem as I think most visitors will be arriving by car.
Also worth mentioning is that reviews are regularly replied to by Away Resorts. This is a good sign, in my opinion, as it shows the company is listening to feedback.
For comparison purposes, both of Haven's holiday parks in Cornwall score 8.4/10 (Perran Sands and Riviere Sands). Holiday parks in Cornwall run by Parkdean Resorts range from 9/10 (Crantock Beach Holiday Park) to 6.8/10 (Lizard Point Holiday Park).
On TripAdvisor, Retallack scores 4/5 for Cleanliness, Service and Value but achieves a 4.5/5 for location. About 41% of visitors give Retallack a five star rating, whilst another 28% give it a score of four stars. In total then, about 7 out of 10 visitors consider it to be either 'very good' or 'excellent'.
Google's review scores give more detail than TripAdvisor, with average ratings given to the closest 0.1/5 rather than the closest half. With a little digging, you can also get more detail on what guests thought. The location scored 4.4/5 for its proximity to 'things to do' but a lower score of 3/5 for 'proximity to transit'. Honestly, I wouldn't see this as a big problem as I think most visitors will be arriving by car.
Also worth mentioning is that reviews are regularly replied to by Away Resorts. This is a good sign, in my opinion, as it shows the company is listening to feedback.
2. Price of Retallack Resort and Spa compared to other resorts in Cornwall
We've generally found Cornwall and other parts of the Westcountry to be more expensive than holiday parks in Northern England and Scotland. There are exceptions, of course, but average holiday accommodation prices in Cornwall tend to be a little more than Yorkshire or Northumberland in our price comparisons.
A fairer comparison is probably to look at Retallack Resort and Spa's position on our guide to the best holiday parks in Cornwall. For this, we looked at the price of a week's holiday for a family of four in August 2023.
We looked for the cheapest accommodation and found that Retallack Resort and Spa was the most expensive of the 10 resorts we compared. The price we found was £1797 for a week in a Superior Wooden Lodge.
However, keep in mind that the accommodation is lodges rather than caravans. Also, there are off-peak bargains to be found and that we only looked at one set of dates.
A fairer comparison is probably to look at Retallack Resort and Spa's position on our guide to the best holiday parks in Cornwall. For this, we looked at the price of a week's holiday for a family of four in August 2023.
We looked for the cheapest accommodation and found that Retallack Resort and Spa was the most expensive of the 10 resorts we compared. The price we found was £1797 for a week in a Superior Wooden Lodge.
However, keep in mind that the accommodation is lodges rather than caravans. Also, there are off-peak bargains to be found and that we only looked at one set of dates.
3. Onsite facilities at Retallack Resort and Spa
The facilities at Retallack Resort and Spa include an aqua park (which you pay extra for)...
...and free activities such as an adventure playground
Retallack Resort and Spa has a good choice of activities if you are into watersports. It has a few aces up its sleeve including an aqua park and a surf and bodyboarding and surfing simulator called Flowrider. There's also standup paddleboarding and a wake boarding park. You pay extra for some things. When I checked, the aqua park and standup paddleboarding were both £20 for a session whilst the Flowrider was £25 for a session. The Flowrider is particularly appealing as it's the only one in Cornwall.
There's also an indoor swimming pool which is useful on a wet day. It's a straightforward sort of pool rather than one with slides and flumes.
Other activities include fishing, a good-sized adventure playground and a gym.
There are two places to eat and drink. The main one is called 'The Lookout' which is a pub/restaurant. Expect to pay about £15 for a main meal (you can see the menu and allergen information here). There's also a beach café overlooking the lakes which is open in the warmer months.
The onsite spa facilities are a step above what you would normally get at a holiday park (hence the phrase 'resort and spa'). It is called ESYA which "takes its name from the Cornish meaning for 'at ease'". You pay extra for treatments. You can either pay for separate treatments or buy a 'combo' which includes things like massages and facials. Prices range from about £8 for a lip wax through to £140 for a 'deluxe combo' (prices correct at time of writing).
During peak season, there is evening entertainment such as outdoor cinema at Retallack. However, it's worth taking a look at the opening times for the different features and attractions. A lot of things run all year round but the watersports don't start up until April and they aren't available after the October half term (perhaps because no-one wants to swim outdoors in January...).
There's also an indoor swimming pool which is useful on a wet day. It's a straightforward sort of pool rather than one with slides and flumes.
Other activities include fishing, a good-sized adventure playground and a gym.
There are two places to eat and drink. The main one is called 'The Lookout' which is a pub/restaurant. Expect to pay about £15 for a main meal (you can see the menu and allergen information here). There's also a beach café overlooking the lakes which is open in the warmer months.
The onsite spa facilities are a step above what you would normally get at a holiday park (hence the phrase 'resort and spa'). It is called ESYA which "takes its name from the Cornish meaning for 'at ease'". You pay extra for treatments. You can either pay for separate treatments or buy a 'combo' which includes things like massages and facials. Prices range from about £8 for a lip wax through to £140 for a 'deluxe combo' (prices correct at time of writing).
During peak season, there is evening entertainment such as outdoor cinema at Retallack. However, it's worth taking a look at the opening times for the different features and attractions. A lot of things run all year round but the watersports don't start up until April and they aren't available after the October half term (perhaps because no-one wants to swim outdoors in January...).
There's also an indoor swimming pool for rainy days...
...which is a decent size, although it doesn't have slides or features
4. Which accommodation at Retallack Resort and Spa offers the best value?
The new Barns at Retallack Resort and Spa offer plush accommodation with modern decor
We've found two ways to get lower priced accommodation at Retallack Resort and Spa - either go for a 'superior wooden lodge' or go for a large property for 8-12 people and fill it up.
There's a big range of accommodation types at Retallack Resort and Spa, with recent investments including £11m of fancy new 'Barns'. Some barns are pet friendly, whilst others have roof terraces and hot tubs (please do not attempt to put your dog in the hot tub...).
There are also 'Barnhouses', wooden lodges and Lakehouses which have good views and hot tubs.
The 'luxury' lodges are posher and more expensive than the 'superior' lodges. Typically, the difference between a luxury lodge and a superior lodge is that luxury lodges have a decking or patio and a 'bottle of bubbly' on arrival (compare Away Resorts grades here).
We searched for a week in August 2024 and found a whopping 19 different types of accommodation at Retallack Resort and Spa - plus dog friendly units. We've ranked them in order based on the price per night per person as you will find that the larger properties can work out better value.
A week in early August 2024 (peak season):
As you can see, there's a big range in prices with the cheapest accommodation working out as £44 per person, per night and the most expensive costing £208 per person per night.
You will note that the four cheapest properties are all larger accommodation units which sleep 8-12 people. This is a really good way to get better value from a holiday at Retallack Resort and Spa. A lakehouse with a hot tub for 12 people is £62 per person, per night in our example whilst the same grade of property for four people is £144 per person, per night. That's more than twice the price per head.
You may consider inviting along the grandparents and a few cousins to get a better value holiday.
I appreciate that this may not be an option for everyone! If we just look at the units which sleep four people, the price ranking for August 2024 looks like this. From cheapest to most expensive:
Of course, prices are considerably lower if you can avoid peak season. We searched for a week in mid September 2024 and found that the Superior Wooden Lodge with hot tub for eight people was just £1282 which is £23 per person, per night. Meanwhile, a luxurious barn with a lakeview and a hot tub for 12 people was £1992 or £24 per person, per night.
There's a big range of accommodation types at Retallack Resort and Spa, with recent investments including £11m of fancy new 'Barns'. Some barns are pet friendly, whilst others have roof terraces and hot tubs (please do not attempt to put your dog in the hot tub...).
There are also 'Barnhouses', wooden lodges and Lakehouses which have good views and hot tubs.
The 'luxury' lodges are posher and more expensive than the 'superior' lodges. Typically, the difference between a luxury lodge and a superior lodge is that luxury lodges have a decking or patio and a 'bottle of bubbly' on arrival (compare Away Resorts grades here).
We searched for a week in August 2024 and found a whopping 19 different types of accommodation at Retallack Resort and Spa - plus dog friendly units. We've ranked them in order based on the price per night per person as you will find that the larger properties can work out better value.
A week in early August 2024 (peak season):
- Superior wooden lodge (sleeps 8) - £2467 - £44 per person, per night.
- The Lakehouse with hot tub (sleeps 12) - £5208 - £62 pppn.
- Barn with Lakeview and hot tub (sleeps 12) - £5252 - £62 pppn.
- Superior wooden lodge with hot tub (sleeps 8) - £3545 - £63 pppn.
- Superior wooden lodge (sleeps 4) - £2242 - £80 pppn.
- The Lakehouse with hot tub (sleeps 8) - £4569 - £82 pppn.
- Barnhouse (sleeps 6) - £3979 - £95 pppn.
- Superior wooden lodge with hot tub (sleeps 4) - £3206 - £115 pppn.
- Luxury wooden lodge with hot tub (sleeps 8) - £6439 - £115 pppn.
- Barn with hot tub (sleeps 8) - £6827 - £122 pppn.
- Barn (sleeps 4) - £3604 - £129 pppn.
- Barnhouse (sleeps 4) - £3604 - £129 pppn.
- Barn with roof terrace and hot tub (sleeps 8) - £7504 - £134 pppn.
- Barn with hot tub (sleeps 6) - £5704 - £135 pppn.
- The Lakehouse with hot tub (sleeps 4) - £3197 - £144 pppn.
- Luxury wooden lodge (sleeps 4) - £4100 - £146 pppn.
- Luxury wooden lodge with hot tub (sleeps 6) - £6151 - £146 pppn.
- Barn with hot tub (sleeps 4) - £5104 - £182 pppn.
- Luxury wooden lodge with hot tub (sleeps 4) - £5822 - £208 pppn.
As you can see, there's a big range in prices with the cheapest accommodation working out as £44 per person, per night and the most expensive costing £208 per person per night.
You will note that the four cheapest properties are all larger accommodation units which sleep 8-12 people. This is a really good way to get better value from a holiday at Retallack Resort and Spa. A lakehouse with a hot tub for 12 people is £62 per person, per night in our example whilst the same grade of property for four people is £144 per person, per night. That's more than twice the price per head.
You may consider inviting along the grandparents and a few cousins to get a better value holiday.
I appreciate that this may not be an option for everyone! If we just look at the units which sleep four people, the price ranking for August 2024 looks like this. From cheapest to most expensive:
- Superior wooden lodges - £2242
- Superior wooden lodge with hot tub - £3206
- Barn without hot tub - £3604
- Barnhouse without hot tub - £3604
- Lakehouse with hot tub - £3197
- Luxury wooden lodge - £4100
- Barn with hot tub - £5104
- Luxury wooden lodge with hot tub - £5822
Of course, prices are considerably lower if you can avoid peak season. We searched for a week in mid September 2024 and found that the Superior Wooden Lodge with hot tub for eight people was just £1282 which is £23 per person, per night. Meanwhile, a luxurious barn with a lakeview and a hot tub for 12 people was £1992 or £24 per person, per night.
Away Resorts has spent millions on accommodation at Retallack Resort and Spa
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The Lakehouses are an excellent choice if you want to wake up with this view
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5. Location and proximity to other attractions
Retallack Resort and Spa isn't right by the beach, but it's close enough that a day at the seaside won't feel like a long journey.
Porth Beach and Newquay Beach are both about 20 minutes away by car. Both are popular for surfing.
Padstow is a pretty fishing town and is only about 15 minutes' drive from Retallack Resort and Spa.
The Eden Project is a 25 minute drive away. If you want a theme park then a couple of options include Camel Creek Theme Park and Flambards Theme Park. Camel Creek is just down the road and will take you about 8 minutes in the car. Entry prices are about £17-£25 (it's cheaper if you book a specific date in advance).
Flambards Theme Park is a longer drive of about one hour, but you may be able to combine it with a visit to the Lizard Peninsula which is the wilder end of Cornwall. It costs about £15-£20.
Porth Beach and Newquay Beach are both about 20 minutes away by car. Both are popular for surfing.
Padstow is a pretty fishing town and is only about 15 minutes' drive from Retallack Resort and Spa.
The Eden Project is a 25 minute drive away. If you want a theme park then a couple of options include Camel Creek Theme Park and Flambards Theme Park. Camel Creek is just down the road and will take you about 8 minutes in the car. Entry prices are about £17-£25 (it's cheaper if you book a specific date in advance).
Flambards Theme Park is a longer drive of about one hour, but you may be able to combine it with a visit to the Lizard Peninsula which is the wilder end of Cornwall. It costs about £15-£20.
Excellent beaches are about 20 minutes' drive from Retallack Resort and Spa
6. Tips for getting the best value holiday at Retallack Resort and Spa
- Hopefully you'll have spotted the discount code for Retallack Resort and Spa at the top of the page. This can give you a hefty saving on top of peak time prices.
- As mentioned earlier, filling up larger accommodation is an excellent way to make a holiday at Retallack Resort and Spa more affordable. The four cheapest prices that we found per person were all in accommodation which sleeps eight to 12 people.
- Booking early is generally the best option for peak time holidays with Away Resorts. This is because the cheaper grades of accommodation tend to be booked up quickly, so you may end up paying for an upgrade that you don't really want or need. Away Resorts do have a last minute deals page which does include offers at Retallack Resort and Spa. My experience is that you will find good last minute deals off peak, but rarely on peak (i.e. during school holidays).
- Avoid school holidays! You knew this already, so let's pretend I didn't suggest it as it's obvious and patronising advice.
Images are from Away Resorts.
