About us

A little bit of History

Imagine your first family holiday, the magical memories that stayed with you forever. For Nicholas Malcolm and Sands Resort Hotel that’s where the story starts and why family is the heart of our story.

“My first holidays in the 1950s were to Newquay, then at the age of five we moved from Yorkshire in to a derelict hotel my parents purchased in Mawgan Porth. 60 years later I am still in the hotel trade and never left Cornwall.”

We’ve come a long way since the 50s, once known Trevelgue Hotel, a hip hangout for RAF pilots and Newquay babes in those crazy knitted bikinis of the era. 

We like to think we’re still as hip, but with less beach knit wear.  

The 70s saw transformation for the hotel, as Nicholas and his team embarked on their mission, planting the seeds for the award-wining family resort we all know and love today.  

Throughout the 80s the resort continued to thrive through leg warmers and bad hair to become not only the first purpose build family resort, but also inventing the concept of kids’ clubs - you are welcome!

By 2000 Sands Resort Hotel was born. As the century changed, so did we! Adapting to technology and family dynamics and welcoming more couples, groups and families to share our wonderful sea views (some things never change) and facilities. 

Today you can find Nicholas and son Tom and their team overseeing the running of the Sands ship. Some members of staff have been with Sands for more than 35 year, a true family hotel where the moment you cross the threshold, you too become family.