Happy Halloween! Last weekend, I had a special Halloween-themed break at the Headland Hotel in Cornwall. The Headland Hotel is a five star resort located at Fistral Bay in Newquay, and it offers spa and treatment facilities, including hot tubs and hydrotherapy facilities (including steam rooms, heated pools, and saunas). I stayed as part of "The Witches" offer, and this included a stay of three nights with breakfast each morning, a two-course dinner on the first night, Halloween afternoon tea, use of the facilities, and a screening of "The Witches" film.
The Headland Hotel was used in the film "The Witches", which was a Disney and Jim Henson production filmed in the late 1980s. I had actually never seen the film before, and I had never heard of it. The Halloween film was filmed almost completely in the hotel, although the dining room was recreated as they needed to do special effects for it, and special effects were done in a much older way than today.
I paid for a grounds view room, which had a slight view of the sea. It was a comfortable room with a large bathroom and walk-in shower.
We were given a set of sugar mice and information about "The Witches" filming with some behind-the-scenes stories.
I was also impressed by this massive Lego replica of the hotel on the first floor billiards room. It was given by a guest.
After settling in, we had a few drinks in one of the bars with some views out to sea. The weather was not nice, though, so we couldn't sit out on the balcony.
We visited the dining room for the dinner on the first night.
I had chicken and ordered a side of broccoli and potato. I had a chocolate mousse for dessert.
The next morning and the following two mornings, we came down for breakfast. I had pancakes on the first night, and I tried to Cornwall breakfast on the second night. We were sat by the window and watched the surfers on the waves, many who had an early start considering our breakfast was at 8:00am.
We spent the morning in the pools, and the afternoon was spent enjoying the Halloween-themed afternoon tea. We opted for a special themed cocktail each. Witches Heart contained vodka, black raspberry liqueur, lime and pommegranate juice, and red wine. The Murky Deep contained spiced rum and Disaronno.
We enjoyed sandwiches first, and we admired the views over the coast. The sandwiches included ham and mustard, cucumber, smoked salmon, and cheddar. There was also a tomato and basil quiche per person.
We had two scones - fruit and plain - served with Cornish clotted cream and Cornish strawberry jam.
These were enjoyed with champagne.
The sweets included apple and blackberry trifle, pumpkin cake with a dark chocolate witch's hat, treacle tart, ghost shortbread, and white chocolate mouse with raspberry. All of these tasted delicous, but the pumpkin cake was my favourite, followed by the ghost biscuit. I'm not a fan of white chocolate as it's usually too sweet, but this tasted nice too.
While we enjoyed out afternoon tea, the Grand Witch (from "The Witches" film) came around to talk to us and to scare the kids. It was a laugh! We, along with nearly everyone else, got some photographs on the staircase. During the whole experience, it was amazing to see adults and children dressed up in various costumes.
After the afternoon tea, I had a spa treatment, and then it was straight to the little room near the reception to watch "The Witches" movie.
I enjoyed the outdoor pool area, which is open to other guests and not exclusive, on Sunday morning after a trial on busy Saturday. The hot tub had amazing views over the sea.
This is the indoor area with a paddling pool, lap pool, sauna, and hydrotherapy pool.
In the evening of our last day, I took advantage of the comfort and used the "morning room" at the hotel and read most of the book I brought with me.
I really enjoyed the experience, and I loved the Halloween twist and the afternoon tea!
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