Hotels in St Mary S

Star Castle Hotel occupies a genuine Elizabethan star-shaped fortification on St Mary's in the Isles of Scilly — the only hotel of its kind on the island. Castle rooms inside the original walls book out well ahead of summer; garden suites in the grounds are more available and better suited to families. Factor in transport to the island: helicopter or ferry from Penzance must be booked alongside the hotel.

The Atlantic Inn is the most practical base on St Mary's, the Isles of Scilly's main island, and a reasonable choice for on-site dining given the island's limited alternatives. Booking is easy, but the real planning effort goes into getting to the island. Spring visits — April to June — offer mild weather and fewer crowds than the summer peak.