Owner Stories Behind the Stay – Mor Glas, Carbis Bay
Perched above the turquoise waters of Carbis Bay, Mor Glas is a contemporary, architect-designed retreat that feels both elevated and deeply connected to its coastal surroundings. Named after the Cornish word for sea glass, this beautifully crafted home reflects the shifting colours, light and calm of the bay below. It’s a place designed for laid-back luxury, panoramic views and exceptional comfort.
In this edition of our Owner Stories Behind the Stay series, we speak with the owners of Mor Glas about the journey from a tired 1960s bungalow to a five-star holiday home, and why working with a local, fully managed agency was an essential part of bringing their vision to life.
Why did you decide to let a holiday home in Cornwall?
It’s always been a dream of ours to have a home in Cornwall that we could retire to someday, ideally with a view of the sea. But we also knew that any property would need to “earn its keep” first.
Having stayed in many holiday homes over the years, we had a good understanding of what worked well, and what didn’t. Location was key, and Carbis Bay stood out immediately. Its stunning beach and views, combined with its proximity to St Ives, made it the perfect balance. You can be in St Ives in around 20 minutes on foot, or just three minutes by train, enjoying independent shops and great restaurants, while also being well placed to explore Marazion, St Michael’s Mount, Penzance and Porthleven.
Carbis Bay has a way of calming and restoring the soul. The slower pace of life, friendly locals and breathtaking scenery are deeply grounding, while the surrounding area still offers plenty of energy – from water sports and coastal walks to go-karting just down the road in Hayle.
In spring 2024, we acquired a very tired 1960s bungalow with what we felt was a magnificent view over Carbis Bay. From there, we set about a complete renovation, aiming to create a five-star holiday home that our own family would be delighted to stay in, and one we hoped future guests would love just as much.
Cornish Escapes met us at the property early on, when it still required quite a bit of imagination. Their insight helped shape what we were trying to achieve, and they stayed closely involved throughout the build, particularly around safety and compliance. This influenced some important features of the home, including the spiral staircase and fire escape into the garden.
By August 2025, with the help of Curnow Construction and RA Design on the build side, and Cornish Escapes on the management and letting side, Mor Glas was launched and the transformation was complete.
Mor Glas has been fully renovated from the ground up. What tips would you share with new owners planning a full renovation?
First and foremost, find a very good, practically minded architectural designer and builder. After that, be prepared to invest serious time as there are 1001 decisions to make along the way!
We chose to manage the interior design ourselves, carefully curating high-quality fittings throughout the kitchen and drinks area, the four bathrooms and ensuites, flooring, curtains and living spaces. Comfort and quality were always at the forefront of our minds, and many sofas were tested in many showrooms before any decisions were made.
We wanted the furnishings, décor and gardens to reflect our desire for a calm, harmonious and luxurious home, echoing the meaning of Mor Glas itself: the colours of sea glass.
On the practical side, the kitchen and drinks areas are stocked with just about every item a home cook or mixologist might want. All guest rooms feature sumptuous linen, TVs and access to separate bathrooms with walk-in showers. Surfers have their own outdoor shower and a dedicated shack for surfboards, while the hot tub offers a place to properly unwind.
For sandy or muddy walks, there’s a full utility room, and sunrise coffees or sundowners can be enjoyed on the balcony overlooking the bay. There’s also a games room for the kids, a garden study for work or quiet reading, and, on a more practical level, off-road parking with complimentary EV charging.
We tried to anticipate the needs of every guest, always with the aim of creating a home that feels considered, generous and welcoming in every detail.
Why did you choose Cornish Escapes as your holiday let agency?
We were very clear that we wanted to work with a local, responsive company. As guests, we’d previously experienced poor service from national letting agents, and we were keen to avoid that.
Everyone involved in the build of Mor Glas was Cornish, and it felt important to us to continue that local involvement through management and letting. We also wanted to remain connected to what we had created, rather than handing it over completely and losing visibility or input.
Because Mor Glas is very much a five-star home, it was essential that safety, cleanliness, linen quality and guest care were managed to the same standard. Cornish Escapes understood this immediately.
Marketing was another key factor. Cornish Escapes arranged excellent photography, showcased the property beautifully on their website, and promoted it across third-party platforms to ensure strong visibility. On the financial side, they provided a detailed 52-week income projection, along with clear information on expected overheads, which gave us confidence in understanding the likely net position. Their management and letting fees are also very competitive.
In short, Cornish Escapes covered all bases, and that, combined with Mor Glas itself, has resulted in fantastic five-star reviews right from the outset. We’re excited to see what our first full year in 2026 brings, working in partnership with them.
Thinking of Letting Your Own Cornish Holiday Home?
If you are considering letting a holiday home in Cornwall, we would love to talk. With our new office now open in Carbis Bay, our local team is even better placed to support homeowners across the area. Our Fully Managed Service offers comprehensive support, covering everything from compliance and housekeeping to marketing and guest care, all delivered by a knowledgeable local team.
Find out more about letting your holiday home with Cornish Escapes, and please get in touch with us to discuss it further. We are here to make holiday letting in Cornwall easy, so you can relax, knowing it’s all taken care of.