I'm planning out a 10-day jaunt through Devon and Cornwall. My only real requirements are a 4 or 5 star/diamond rating, an excellent breakfast, and a single room if they are available. I'm going solo and driving so I appreciate the added comfort.

It's certainly easy enough to find a list of places to stay (too many, actually), so what what do you fellow Fodorites recommend?

I also plan on a few dayhikes on the South West Coast Path - any good places on or near the trail?

From personal experience, I'd recommend:

Nobody Inn (Doddiscombsleigh nr. Exeter)

Gidleigh Park Hotel (nr. Chagford)

Kitley House Hotel (Yealmpton nr. Plymouth)

All are wonderful places to stay with first rate restaurants.

By "single room" do you mean a room with a bed for one person only?

yes, single means room for one person, as opposed to a double, triple, etc.

You will have a fantastic time! We did our 10 day Devon - Cornwall trip in early July, before the families were on holiday (kids go to school until mid-July there), thus the B&B's were not crowded and easy to obtain. There are Tourist Information Centers all over and they can help you pick out exactly what you want and book it for you for minimal fee. We found it was better to not book too far in advance since our schedule was flexible. (again, it might be different this time of year) The roads (carriage ways) are very, very narrow along the coast with hedgerows that you can't see over and travel time is slow. Allow double the amount of travel time, unless you are using highways. An excellent place for a breakfast B&B in Porthleven is Critchard's - the innkeeper is a chef and the food presentation so lovely that I took several pictures. Enjoy!

SoloAlex,
In Cornwall, from personal experience:
Boscundle Manor outside St. Austell
New owners. Easy drive to Roseland Penninsula, St. Mawes
www.boscundlemanor.co.uk/

My computer must be spooked. I posted twice before and it not appear.
The hotel Abbaye in Penzance, run by the English ex-model Jean Shrimpton called the "shrimp"she gave up her career when she married, loves cooking and did flea markets to buy all the beautiful linens for the rooms.