I’ll never forget the drive down to St Ives – or rather, the near-disaster that kicked off our holiday. We’d piled into the car in Bristol at the crack of dawn, me navigating on my phone while my partner drove, kids in the back already bickering over crisps. Everything was fine until we hit the A30, where some cheeky diversion sign sent us on a wild goose chase through narrow lanes that seemed to get tinier by the minute. My sat-nav lost signal, I dropped my phone under the seat, and just as we were proper lost, we scraped the wing mirror on a hedge. Cue much faffing about with reversing and laughing hysterically to cover the rising panic. By the time we spotted the sign for Carbis Bay, we were all a bit frazzled, but buzzing with that holiday anticipation – you know, the promise of sea air and no emails for a week.

Pulling into the allocated parking spot at the rear of this semi-detached gem felt like stumbling into a hug after a row. It’s a stylish little coastal house, boutique vibes all the way, just a short stroll from the beach. We stepped down into the courtyard – bijou table and chairs for two, perfect for a sneaky morning cuppa – and tumbled through the door into a welcoming entrance with a handy utility room. First impressions? Blimey, it was love at first sight. The open-plan living space opened up like a breath of fresh air: plush sofa, comfy chairs, Smart TV and Sonos speakers begging for a playlist. But the real showstopper? Those bi-fold doors swinging out to a glass-balustrade balcony terrace with a massive ocean view. I stood there with my Nespresso latte from the sleek kitchen (induction hob, dishwasher, the lot – no faffing with washing up here), gazing at the waves crashing below, and thought, “We’ve made it.”

The kids bolted straight for the ground-floor bedrooms – two sumptuous setups, both with Smart TVs to keep the peace. The rear one’s super-king (zip and link, handy for us lot), next to a smart wet room. Ours at the front had a king-size bed, ensuite walk-in shower, and patio doors to an enclosed garden with a hot tub bubbling away, decked area, chairs, even a bar with stools and an outdoor shower. Pure bliss. We barely unpacked before hitting the golden sands of Carbis Bay, just paces away – clear waters for a splash about, then a ramble along the South West Coast Path with seals popping up like nosy neighbours.

That first evening, we wandered into St Ives proper, cobbled streets alive with boutiques and cafes. Grabbed fish and chips, watched the sun dip behind the Tate’s white sails. Sat in the hot tub later, bubbles fizzing, reflecting on how that daft drive mishap was the perfect icebreaker – turned our chaos into the best stories. Holidays like this, in a spot like Bayvista, remind you life’s too short not to embrace the detours. Can’t wait to go back.