The Alverton Hotel: Indulgent getaway in Grade II listed setting at heart of Cornwall
TRURO¹S romantic centrepiece is a sprawling manor offering a trip back in time in stately luxury.
Cornwall¹s only city is steeped in history - the quiet civil parish fuses medieval architecture with contemporary eclectic culture.
One of its most striking features is a Grade II listed former convent tucked away in the hillside.
The intricate 18th century building has been impressively preserved, but its purpose today is far different.
The Alverton Hotel has been rebirthed as Truro's only four-star hotel, with 50 bedrooms and a recently refurbished courtyard area.
We stayed in a junior suite in The Courtyard; an elegant room with romantic finishings.
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Inside a sizeable copper bath tub sits below stain glass windows and stretching high ceilings.
Rose and floral complement the charming room, from bed to bath and beyond.
Plush blue robes hang on the bathroom door, tempting you to stay curled up indoors.
But with a cosy brasserie and bar just a few steps away, leaving is a must.
Afternoon tea outside is easily the most fitting way to experience this historic property.
The service is everything you would expect for this classic Cornwall tradition.
Sit on the patio as you gaze out at rolling green gardens and admire the chapel within view.
Freshly baked scones come with generous helpings of clotted cream and rich lolly-like jam.
Sandwiches and sumptuous sweets arrive in abundance, providing the perfect complement to never-ending streams of tea and of course, Prosecco for a pop of fizz.
Challenge yourself not to indulge to bulging point during this decadent meal, because dinner is worth an appetite.
We tucked into three courses at the brasserie, including a memorable cheese board with Cornish cheese, rare lamb with seasonal vegetables and scallops with pancetta.
The star of the show was dessert - a truly heavenly creme brulee with a twist. Flavoured with salted caramel, this is one indulgence worth making.
A tempting wine list pairs with every course and the cocktails are delicious in their own right (the caramel apple fizz is a must).
Complimentary breakfast lives up to the hotel's luxurious standard.
Order your hot breakfast - think smoked salmon, creamy scrambled eggs and pancakes - then indulge in the continental buffet while you wait.
Fresh pastries and homemade granola will have you full up for the rest of the day.
Truro's centre is just a few minutes walk away, boasting the oldest bakery in Cornwall - unsurprisingly, Warren¹s has cornish pasties perfected.
From the service to the setting, the tiny touches in your room and the indulgent offering of food and drink, the Alverton lives and breathes luxury.
It's the perfect place for a short romantic break, where you'll feel a million miles away from home without having to travel the distance.
Details: Classic double or twin rooms start from £89 per room, per night including breakfast. Junior Suites in The Courtyard (new accommodation from June 2016) start from £159.