A prominent hotel in Newquay town centre is set to undergo a major refurbishment.

The Great Western Hotel in Cliff Road is to be transformed by its owners St Austell Brewery, which will get underway this month.

The refurbishment will be delivered in three phases, starting with the Trenarren Wing that spans 26 bedrooms across three floors, 16 of which boast sea views.

Work covering the first phase is expected to be completed during the late summer.

Future phases, which are expected to be completed over the next two years, will focus on upgrading more rooms, as well as the bar and communal areas.

A spokesperson for St Austell Brewery said: “The Great Western’s major refurbishment will breathe new life into one of Cornwall’s most iconic seaside spots.

“Perched above Great Western Beach, the clifftop pub with hotel-style accommodation has been part of the town’s story for almost 150 years.

“We are set to transform the much-loved building in 2026, to offer the best guest experience for locals and visitors alike.

“Guests can look forward to a fresh new look, inspired by the Great Western’s coastal surroundings, with neutral sandy tones, deep blues and modern Art Deco touches nodding to the pub’s heritage.

“The refurbishment will make the Great Western the place to be for overnight visitors as well as the local community.

“This scheme marks the fifth major refurbishment in St Austell Brewery’s 45-strong managed estate over the past two years, underlining the company’s commitment to investing in its pubs across the South West.”

Andrew Turner, the chief operating officer at St Austell Brewery, added: “The refurbishment of the Great Western is all about creating a warm, welcoming space that honours the pub’s incredible history, allowing us to deliver memorable experiences for our guests.

“We know this building is an iconic part of Newquay’s heritage, which is why have committed to sensitively restoring it whilst improving its bedrooms and communal spaces for guests of all generations - both from here in the South West and further afield. We’re looking forward to starting work on the Great Western’s transformation later this month.”

Managers Emily and Anthony Proffitt will continue to lead the team at the Great Western, and community events such as the Veteran’s evening, Newquay Museum meet up, chess group, and Newquay Social will continue throughout the works.

First opened in 1879, the Great Western was designed by Cornish architect Silvanus Trevail and holds the distinction of being Newquay’s oldest purpose-built hotel. Over the years, it’s welcomed everyone from holidaymakers to royalty, including the Prince of Wales - later King Edward VII - in 1926.

Today, the pub boasts 66 bedrooms, a sun terrace and a restaurant overlooking the beach, making it a favourite for surfers, cyclists, families and business travellers.

The refurbishment of the Great Western Hotel follows the nearby Hotel Victoria, which is closed, set to undergo a £20 million renovation to transform it into a four to five star luxury destination resort under the NICI brand. The work is expected to commence in early 2026, subject to planning approval.