I’ll never forget the drive down to St Ives – what should’ve been a straightforward jaunt from the M5 turned into a proper comedy of errors. We’d set off full of beans, sandwiches packed and the satnav chirping away, but halfway through Cornwall, the heavens opened and turned the A30 into a snaking river. Then, just as we hit the narrow lanes towards town, the tyre pressure warning light decided to flash like a strobe at a rave. Pulled over in the pouring rain, me faffing with the spare while my other half held an umbrella that was more inside-out than useful. By the time we’d sorted it – cue much swearing under our breath and soggy trainers – we were proper frazzled, wondering if the holiday was cursed before it even began.

But oh, pulling up to the place? That anticipation I’d been nursing all week – scrolling estate agent pics late at night, dreaming of kicking back – it all melted into this massive grin. It’s this stunning detached home, designed by some award-winning architect who clearly knows how to make jaws drop. From the moment we tumbled out of the car, dripping and dishevelled, the first impressions hit like a warm Cornish pasty. The smart home setup kicked in straight away – lights flickering on, ceiling speakers humming a soft playlist we hadn’t even chosen. And those sea views? Breath-taking doesn’t cover it. Every living area frames the Atlantic like a living painting, waves crashing below, and you could see right out to the horizon from four of the bedrooms. We dumped the bags and just stood there, gobsmacked.

The real showstopper, though, is that enormous 9m by 8m roof terrace. Luxury outdoor sofas and chairs begging to be lounged on, with the most incredible vista straight over the sea. We cracked open a bottle of fizz up there as the sun dipped, chaos of the journey forgotten. Every bedroom on the first and second floors has its own private terrace or huge balcony too, all with this clever frameless glass that keeps the wind out but lets the views pour in. Woke up the next morning to gulls calling and sunlight flooding in – pure magic.

We didn’t stray far those first couple of days, too smitten to wander. Strolled down to Porthminster Beach, just a hop away, for fish and chips wrapped in paper, eaten on the sand while watching surfers. Popped into town for cream teas at a cosy spot near the harbour, the air thick with that salty tang. One evening, we wandered up to the Barbara Hepworth Museum – it’s so close, felt like our own private gallery with her sculptures catching the light just right. Light-hearted laugh came when I nearly toppled off one of those balconies snapping selfies, clinging on like a startled seagull. Made us chuckle about how we’d arrived in such a flap, yet here we were, living the dream.

Looking back, that messy arrival was the perfect foil – taught me not to sweat the small stuff. In a place this extraordinary, with space to breathe and views that recharge your soul, life’s hiccups just fade into the tide. If you’re after a St Ives escape that feels like pure luxury without the pretension, this is it. We’re already plotting a return, minus the flat tyre next time.