Britain’s best seaside hotels to check into this summer
When the sun plays ball (and even when it doesn't), it's hard to beat the charm of the traditional British coastal escape. And when the warm weather arrives, we'll be ready to check into the UK's best seaside hotels for a beach staycation.
If golden sands, unlimited ice cream, coastal path walks and just-caught fresh seafood are the top of your list for a spring trip or summer holiday, you'll want to keep scrolling for our pick of the loveliest coastal gems.
In Cornwall, you'll find a host of beachside boltholes, but two of our favourites are The Beach at Bude for a cool, contemporary vibe with a sea-facing terrace that was simply made for sundowners. Over at St Michaels Resort in Falmouth, you'll find an upscale oceanside sanctuary with a state-of-the-art spa and wood-fired hot tubs with sea views.
When it comes to seaside hotels over in Devon, there's the totally charming family- and dog-friendly Cary Arms & Spa, where you can jump straight from a massage to the hotel's boat for an afternoon of exploring scenic hidden coves.
Foodies, meanwhile, will want to head straight to Folkestone to sample the boat-to-bar fare at the modern Rocksalt Rooms, overlooking the harbour.
And if the glamour of a traditional seaside escape in its heyday is what you're hankering after, you'll be bowled over by The Grand Hotel in Eastbourne with its old-school luxury, decadent afternoon tea in the lavish Great Hall, and retro outdoor pool - right on the seafront.
We've rounded up some of Britain's best seaside hotels below so you can start planning your 2024 coastal staycation now.
Cary Arms & Spa, Devon
This stunning seaside hotel in Torquay is the perfect spot for a 2024 staycation for anyone, from couples and solo travellers to families - including the dog. Choose from a selection of pretty sea-facing rooms, suites and beach huts, or one of the self-catering cottages. Sustainable hotel Cary Arms & Spa is known for its weekly BBQs with freshly caught fish and seafood - delish!
You can make the most of guided coastal walks, and if you want to follow your own path you can discover plenty of routes yourself, like the Hidden Harbour Walk or the Agatha Christie Walk. Other fun activities to keep you entertained include sea kayaking, mackerel fishing, paddle boarding, and even a classic wooden sailing yacht 'Escape', on which you can explore Babbacombe, Oddicombe and Petitor Downs and picturesque interconnected bays.
Port Hotel, East Sussex
For something chic in one of East Sussex's classic yet cool seaside resorts, check into Port Hotel, which sits proudly on Eastbourne's seafront just steps away from the pebbly beach. Port Hotel brings contemporary style to the traditional beach destination, putting it firmly on the map of revived coastal resorts to visit on a staycation.
The boutique hotel boasts pastel hues and a nod to its location, with design features and a name to remind you exactly where you are. The restaurant serves up small plates of elegant dishes featuring local Sussex ingredients. While here, be sure to soak up the art of Eastbourne, take in the sea views and enjoy long walks (Beachy Head and Seven Sisters are the coastal walks to try).
Ballygally Castle, Antrim Coast
Ballygally Castle is beautifully located on the scenic Antrim Coast facing the soft, sandy beaches of Ballygally Bay and just 26 miles from Belfast. The castle dates back to 1625 and is unique in that it is the only 17th-century building still used as a residence in Northern Ireland today.
It's perfect for exploring the Causeway Coastal Route, Bushmills Distillery, and nearby Carrickfergus Castle. And you can enjoy a cosy afternoon tea by an open fire after your outing. What's more, it's excellent value too!
Brighton Harbour Hotel & Spa, East Sussex
Situated just steps from Brighton's famous beach and close to the fashionable cobbled streets of The Lanes shopping area, contemporary seaside hotel Brighton Harbour Hotel & Spa puts you right at the heart of the action.
Half of the rooms have fantastic sea views, and there's a cool diner serving modern takes on chip shop classics (and plenty of ice cream). But the pièce de résistance? A subterranean spa and indoor pool, hidden away in smugglers tunnels leading out to the beach.
THE NICI, Bournemouth
This recent addition to Bournemouth's hotel scene promises Miami vibes on the Dorset coast – and boy does it deliver. Perched on the West Cliff, it boasts stunning sea views and excellent access to local hiking trails, while inside it's all funky art, bright colours and cool, South Beach-style design.
THE NICI is the place to go for a truly spoiling staycation. There's a sprawling spa for luxurious treatments, stylish pool-side cabanas for all-day lounging, endless delicious food and drinks to be enjoyed, and an on-site cinema to boot. And if you can drag yourself away from all this, there's also golden, seven-mile-long sandy beach just a short walk away.
Artist Residence Brighton, East Sussex
Brighton has always been a go-to destination for creative types, but even more so now that it has its own Artist Residence. Located right by the iconic beachfront, it has some of the best sunset views in town, that are best enjoyed with the hotel's signature limoncello and basil spritz in hand.
The restaurant, bar and lounging spaces are buzzy and busy year-round, while the rooms are as tranquil as they come. If you want to start your day gazing out to the sparkling sea, pick a south-facing room – some even have luxurious copper baths in them.
Salcombe Harbour Hotel, Devon
One of the UK's most scenic seaside spots, Salcombe is set within the South Devon Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and draws visitors from far and wide.
Our top hotel pick for those visiting the area? Salcombe Harbour Hotel, that's perfectly located right on the edge of the Estuary and is also home to one of the best Spas in the area. For top-notch waterside dining, make sure to book a table at the Jetty restaurant – the dishes here are just as spectacular as the views.
The Gallivant, East Sussex
If you're looking for total tranquility with a side of yoga, mindfulness and open-water swimming, The Gallivant is the staycation spot for you.
This boutique hotel has a prime location beside the beautiful Camber Sands, a restaurant facing the dunes that serves locally-sourced dishes, weekly wine tasting events, and pretty, design-led rooms with a colourful coastal feel. Guests rave about the staff, too, who ensure a stay here is a total breeze.
The Beach at Bude, Cornwall
Fancy relaxing at a laidback seaside spot with views? You can enjoy some seriously scenic sundowners on the sea-facing terrace of The Beach at Bude.
The seaside hotel is a Victorian house that's all about chilled-out luxury, with seasonal locally sourced food and contemporary, New England-style coastal interiors. Head out for a surf lesson or kayak, or take a stroll into charming Bude for a spot of people-watching.
The Grand Hotel, East Sussex
If it's historic seaside grandeur you're looking for, it doesn't get much more 'grand' than this. The iconic Grand Hotel in Eastbourne has all the pomp and circumstance of a traditional seaside escape, from the decor to the decadent afternoon tea in the Great Hall.
But this is a family-friendly spot that has something for everyone, from a spa and indoor pool, to an outdoor pool where you can soak up the sun right next to the sound of crashing waves.
The Sail Loft, Suffolk
You can dip your toes in the sea before breakfast at this refined-yet-rustic New England-worthy seaside hotel-meets-shack. With country and coastal walks on the doorstep, and situated on the Suffolk Heritage Coast, The Sail Loft offers an affordable and picturesque getaway.
Charming Southwold, with its boutique shops and historic pier, is just a 10-minute walk away. Who says you have to jet off abroad for a veritable seaside break?
Rocksalt Rooms, Kent
Fancy food served alongside gorgeous sea views? Rocksalt Rooms has got you covered.
Located right above Folkestone harbour, it's a masterclass in contemporary elegance, with fabulous floor-to-ceiling windows in the restaurant, and modern rustic rooms to bed down in.
The Grand Brighton, East Sussex
With sweeping sea views from a majestic building that dates back to 1864, seaside hotel The Grand Brighton certainly lives up to its name.
An iconic address on Brighton's seafront, you'll feel like royalty when you're welcomed by doormen into the grand reception. Head straight to the opulent bar to kick things off how you mean to go on... A special treat and an upscale, memorable experience.
Berry Head Hotel, Devon
One of the many attractions of a seaside hotel break is the delicious seafood. Berry Head Hotel is in the fishing port town of Brixham in Torbay, south Devon, where fresh catch is available every day - straight from the day boats and on to your plate.
The hotel is perfectly located at the water's edge, with easy access to the rocky bays below. Choose a spacious first floor sea-facing room with a huge balcony to make the most of these surroundings and enjoy every second of the glorious Devon sunshine.
St Michaels Resort, Cornwall
St Michaels Resort overlooks the beautiful Blue Flag Gyllyngvase beach - a playground for kids, big kids and dogs alike. Expect all the bells and whistles at the fancy spa, including the UK’s first Cornish sea-salt steam room, an outdoor barrel sauna and the largest hydro pool in the South West. There's also a health club offering more than 100 classes per week, including morning boot-camps and running on the beach.
There are rooms, suites and spa garden lodges, all with coastal-inspired interiors, as well as self-catering beach apartments with floor-to-ceiling windows. When it comes to food and drink, you can enjoy smoothies and salads at the healthy deli-style Garden Kitchen, as well as fresh seafood at Brasserie on the Bay.
The Beach House, Hampshire
This Victorian seaside villa is right on the beach at Westover and within easy reach of the New Forest – so you can enjoy the best of both coastal views and the vast green woodland scenery in one of the UK’s most beautiful national parks.
The Beach House has its own peaceful gardens rolling down to the sea too, and is surrounded by pine trees and wild grassland. For an extra special treat, why not book into the Alexander Siemens room? With a four-poster bed and in-room copper roll-top bath, you’ll enjoy fabulous views out to the Isle of Wight’s iconic Needles.
Lulworth Lodge, Dorset
Sunset views and superb seafood await you at this pretty boutique hotel on the site of an old watermill, with views down over bewitching Lulworth Cove. Lulworth Lodge has just 12 simple but stylish rooms (two dog-friendly) plus a restaurant offering the likes of Dorset sausage and New Forest mushrooms at breakfast and fish fresh from the boats later in the day – out on a deck in fine weather.
The location on the doorstep of the South West Coast Path makes this the perfect spot for seaside walks; you can order a gourmet picnic basket to take out with you, packed with treats such as Dorset crab sandwiches.
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St Brides Spa Hotel, Pembrokeshire
Perched up on a clifftop, St Brides is the ideal spot for a true getaway, with an intimate and bespoke welcome in only 34 rooms, plus six two-bedroom apartments, all decorated in fresh nautical hues. There are also apartments down in the village, where the hotel has a stylish fish-and-chip restaurant.
Onsite, the menu in the modern dining room features lots of locally landed fish, and there’s an outdoor heated infinity pool with views over lovely Saundersfoot Beach and an award-winning spa that uses marine products, including organic and seaweed therapies.
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The Shore House Inn, Scottish Highlands
There are just five welcoming rooms – all named after local clans – at The Shore House Inn. Set on the Cowal Peninsula, this B&B is only an hour from Glasgow Airport but a world away in spirit. Some of the rooms have views over Goil, one of Scotland’s loveliest sea lochs.
Hearty food is generally offered every other night, leaving you free to explore the friendly owners’ recommendations for other cosy options in the glen for refuelling after activities such as boating, cycling, kayaking and perhaps even walking from the loch shore to the mountaintop.
Bike & Boot Inn, Yorkshire
Fun, funky and affordable, the Bike & Boot is a breath of fresh air in the up-and-coming surfing destination of Scarborough, where appealing hotels are scarce. Situated on Cliff Bridge Terrace with sea views from some rooms, it offers everything from bijou options to huge family suites.
Think lighting made from old bicycle parts, replicas of old seaside posters and even a cosy cinema room. As the name suggests, however, this hotel is really about the great outdoors: it offers bike hire, a room for washing any canine companions you bring along, and a basement space for cleaning and storing surf- or body-boards.
More UK travel ideas:
- The best country hotels in Yorkshire
- Best UK holidays for families
- The best craft breaks in the UK
- Inside Rick Stein's shepherd's huts
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