Cornwall, from St Ives to Newquay, is awash with hotels and spa resorts, but travel any further north than Rick Stein country on the coast and suddenly quality accommodation is harder to come by.

That is why Elements Surf Hotel and Cafe Bar, in Bude, is a gem.

Perched on the cliff tops between the seaside towns of Bude and Widemouth Bay, the 11-room residence has recently been refurbished and redesigned into a relaxed hotel.

Bude is situated on what is known as the Atlantic Heritage Coast of Cornwall, adjacent to fine sandy beaches and the South West Coastal Path, which is accessible less than 50m from the hotel.

The surfing beaches, however, are some of the finest in England and it is this that attracts many tourists to the area. To accommodate this, the hotel has a drying room and storage facilities for surfboards, cycles and other outdoor equipment. And should the surf not give you a good enough workout, there's the hotel's small gym and sauna.

If this all sounds a little too strenuous, you can kick back on the hotel's large deck with a drink or a book and soak up some sun while taking in views of the wild and rocky Cornish coastline. The sunsets from this vantage point, as well as inside the hotel restaurant, are breathtaking.

The rooms: The 11 rooms are a mix of singles, doubles and twins. Families are catered for with the double rooms easily accommodating an additional bunk or sofa bed. The rooms are modestly decorated in neutral tones, brightened by splashes of colour in the cushions and throws.

The beds are soft, the pillows fluffy and a range of DVDs, CDs and even Playstation games are available on request. The only drawback was the size of the bathroom, which was extremely small for an ensuite - no walk-in shower or roll-top baths here. However, it was clean and the water pressure powerful. Some of the rooms have a sea view and are light and airy. Fresh linen and towels are provided daily.

The food: Another thing that seems to be in short supply in far north Cornwall is a decent restaurant serving simple yet sophisticated food. There wasn't much on offer in Bude itself unless you wanted fish and chips or a curry. We were hard-pressed to find somewhere offering an enticing menu that made use of the local produce, so I didn't doubt it for a second when hotel owner Richard Steel told me Elements' restaurant is full all year round. Indeed the Sunday evening we were there, people had to be turned away.

In theme with the rest of the hotel, the restaurant is simply furnished. The high-backed oak chairs and tables, surfboards on the walls and other bespoke artworks meld harmoniously to create a relaxed dining atmosphere. The room is open, sunny and welcoming with large windows providing maximum views of the coast and Bude.

On the menu is a good selection of starters and mains, and, as expected considering the location, the majority are seafood-based. I started with a delicious course of deep-fried courgette flowers with pancetta and courgette mousse, followed by the best fillet of cod I have tasted. It was fresh, the meat white, fleshy and perfectly cooked, all perched on a bed of creamed potatoes, green beans and caper beurre noisette.

My partner had goat cheese croustade with avocado and tomato salsa followed by a perfectly cooked Kilkhampton sirloin fillet served with hand-cut chips and a red wine and tarragon butter. We finished off sharing a divine cherry, vanilla and almond cheesecake with bitter cocoa sorbet. It rivalled anything I have eaten in London restaurants.

All the meat, produce and seafood on the menu is sourced locally; the beef from as close as the farm next door and the fish and seafood from a fishmonger, no more than a kilometre away, who sources direct from Cornish fishing boats each morning. All the stocks, sauces, breads and confections are also all made in house.

We ended up eating at the hotel restaurant both evenings because the food was so good.

Star quality: The romantic sunsets viewed over dinner in the restaurant, the food and the competent yet unobtrusive service of the hotel staff.

Who stays there: The hotel attracts a broad range of clientele from families to single travellers and business people. The restaurant is frequented by locals and tourists alike.

Access all areas: Elements has a large carpark. The restaurant is accessible by wheelchair but not the bedrooms, which occupy the second and third levels of the hotel. There is no lift.

What we think: Elements is a no fuss, comfortable hotel, which succeeds in its aim of providing guests with an inviting and stress-free holiday environment. Recommended if you’re planning a stay in far north Cornwall.

But wait there’s more: Elements is about to undergo further refurbishment, which will include an extension to the restaurant and the addition of eight, double-storey luxury suites, boasting top-to-bottom sea views and overall luxury accommodation at the moment unrivalled on this part of the coast.

Elements also organises learn-to-surf breaks. In partnership with the local Raven Surf School, Elements offers either five or seven-day breaks, which includes accommodation and surf lessons. Check the website for details.

The bottom line: A night at Elements costs £45 per person per night with a £10 supplement for one night stays. There is a £20 supplement for single occupancy in double rooms.

Details: Elements Surf Hotel, Bude; tel. 01288 352386.

For more information or to book visit the Elements Surf Hotel website.

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