The best luxury seaside hotels in the UK for a sunny staycation
If a balmy sea breeze, ocean vistas, beach picnics, and scenic coastal walks are all musts for your 2024 holiday checklist, the best luxury seaside hotels in the UK have got you covered.
When the weather plays ball, there's nothing better than escaping to the coast to soak up the sea air and stay at a chic bolthole.
The best bit? You don't have to jump on a plane to enjoy a beautiful, blissed-out beach holiday. Britain is home to an array of gorgeous places for a seaside staycation, whether you're looking to check into a romantic hotel in Kent or one of the best places to stay in Cornwall for the whole family (or a group of your favourite girlfriends).
Red's luxury seaside hotel selection in the UK includes the most stylish places to check in to for a beach getaway. These hotels easily rival those in the Med when it comes to views, a friendly welcome and stylish interiors.
There's simply nowhere we'd rather spend the night than at these gorgeous luxury seaside hotels in the UK.
From foodie harbourside havens like The Idle Rocks in Cornwall, to luxury spa destinations like The Headland, there's a host of seaside hotels to suit all tastes and budgets.
So, whether boutique-chic retreats or laidback-luxe pubs with rooms are your thing, you'll want to get comfy on the sofa and scroll through our selection of the UK's best seaside hotels to inspire your 2024 staycation. Now we just have to wait for the rain to stop…
The Nici, Bournemouth, Dorset
The Nici arrived in the UK seaside town of Bournemouth in 2022, transforming the old Savoy hotel, which, alas, was not quite a match for its London namesake. The old Edwardian building it occupies in West Cliff (which is within walking distance of the town centre and its many typical British seafront attractions, including a pier, arcades and an observation wheel) has been upgraded with bright and breezy, Miami-worthy interiors, a screening room and a restaurant overlooking the lawn.
It's also home to a stellar spa, making it one of the South Coast's premier spa hotels, as well as one of the loveliest luxury seaside hotels in the UK. Here, you'll be able to enjoy treatments by star homegrown brand Oskia (especially good for glow-giving facials), as well as dips in the peaceful indoor pool. The hotel is also home to an outdoor pool, lined with pretty pastel-pink parasols and breezy cabanas and located in the gardens, with a view of the hopefully not too grey and dreary English Channel, and there's a watersports shack for anyone optimistically hoping to get out on the water. Staff will be on hand, ready to arm you with kayaks and paddle-boards to take down to the shore.
Three Mile Beach, Hayle, Cornwall
The UK has plenty of coastline, but some of its most glorious stretches can be found in Cornwall, which, on a clear sunny day, can rival parts of the Mediterranean. For the ultimate seaside experience that’s a little more tasteful than some might expect (in some cases, 'British seaside' and 'gaudy' go hand in hand – not here), book one of the beach houses at Three Mile Beach on St Ives Bay. The property was created by the founder of Audley Travel, who has brought his expertise from many days spent globe-trotting to these joyful oversize beach huts.
Each has bright and breezy interiors, with high-ceilinged kitchens, white wooden walls and log-burning stoves – plus, out on the deck, you’ll find a barrel sauna, barbecue and sunken cedar hot tub. The stylish beach houses are the perfect base for exploring Cornwall – it's a half-hour drive to St Ives and its famously beautiful light. All you’ll need is for the sun to shine…
Boskerris, St Ives, Cornwall
Another of the finest luxury seaside hotels in the UK, Boskerris is located at Carbis Bay, with a Blue Flag beach on its doorstep. It’s around a mile from the centre of St Ives, where you should head to get your culture fix – the artist's enclave, famous for its aforementioned golden light, is home to lots of noteworthy galleries, including a Tate outpost and the Barbara Hepworth Museum and Sculpture Garden. In the distance, you can spy Godrevy lighthouse, made famous by a certain Virginia Woolf novel.
The sun may not always shine on Britain, but when it does the terrace at Boskerris is the perfect place for a chilled glass of rosé with a view. And for rainy days, there’s all of that art and culture to discover in St Ives. There's no such thing as bad weather after all…
Southampton Harbour Hotel, Southampton, Hampshire
As the name helpfully hints at, the UK's many Harbour Hotels are all located right beside the Great British seaside. Southampton’s edition overlooks the marina. Happily for budding yachties, boat envy is now a thing of the past, since the hotel has partnered with Princess Yachts. Guests will be able to set sail around the Solent on day charters aboard a luxury vessel and see the southern shores the best way (from the water), with super-fresh seafood lunches and flowing rosé (or English sparkling wine) served along the way.
Last summer, the group’s star chef Alex Aikens celebrated four decades in the industry – his renowned seafood restaurant The Jetty (of which there’s another outpost at sister property Christchurch Harbour Hotel, as well as over in Salcombe) is one of the most sought-after on the South Coast. And with just one glimpse at his beautifully presented selection of super-fresh seafood, it's not hard to see why.
Port Hotel, Eastbourne, East Sussex
For a seriously cool seaside break on England's southern coast, look no further than arty Eastbourne and its stylish Port Hotel. This stylish seaside stay, where traditional coastal charm meats sleek Scandi design, is one of the coolest beach retreats we've come across. Artworks created by local artists form part of the regularly rotating display.
Its colours range from pastel pinks to bold blacks and earthy tones, and the rooms are just delightful, especially since many overlook the town's pebbly beach below. There are excellent plates to feast on in the restaurant come weekends (it's open for lunch and dinner on Friday and Saturday, and lunch on Sunday) and its seafront location affords you the perfect base to enjoy all of the charms of Eastbourne, whether you're looking to hike to Beachy Head, dine at a neighbourhood eatery or check out an exhibition at the Towner gallery.
The Idle Rocks, St Mawes, Cornwall
If it's the finer things in life you seek, look no further than this refined Cornish retreat, which is without question one of the most luxurious seaside hotels in the UK. And it's not a stuffy sort of luxury either – instead, this stylish stay offers a cool, coastal escape that's elevated in all the right ways. The Idle Rocks has a modern take on beach-chic interiors that is a breath of fresh (coastal) air – expect bold colours and prints, and popping contemporary art mixed with all the bleached woods and nautical references you'd expect.
Cocktails on the waterfront terrace are a must, while stand-up paddleboarding and kayaking are optional. The hotel is dog- and family-friendly (with two rooms that allow pets, plus a courtyard for your pup to wait in during mealtimes), but you could simply head here solo for a restorative and elegant seaside escape.
Driftwood, Portscatho, Cornwall
Unsurprisingly, many of our edit of luxury seaside hotels in the UK are in Cornwall – the county has some of the most beautiful beaches in the country after all. Along a breathtaking stretch of Cornish coast is Driftwood, which stands out for the way its clifftop setting drops down to its very own private beach. For any Daphne du Maurier fans out there, yes, it could be your very own Manderley (sadly just on loan).
Food lovers are spoilt for choice in the restaurant, where the menu by head chef Paul Green (formerly of luxurious Scottish retreat, The Torridon) focuses on flavour first, with quality ingredients treated with respect. On summer nights, try alfresco dining on the terrace with an uninterrupted seascape as your romantic backdrop.
St Brides Spa Hotel, Saundersfoot, Pembrokeshire
For glorious beach views over Saundersfoot Harbour in the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park, look no further than St Brides Spa Hotel. This hotel promises guests a stylish seaside escape in Wales. And the wonderful spa hotel's biggest draw is undoubtedly its outdoor infinity pool, which is a delight in the summer.
The seaside theme continues in the light and airy bedrooms. While you're here, you simply must book a spa treatment. There's a reason why St Brides Spa Hotel is has a reputation for being one of the best hotels in Wales – the food, art, spa and views. This place has it all!
The Gallivant, Camber, East Sussex
Here's one for the Londoners seeking some vitamin sea: this hotel is within easy reach of the capital for when a heatwave suddenly hits and everyone is instantly in need of a beach near London. For that sand-between-your-toes feeling, look no further than East Sussex's Gallivant, which sits close to Rye, opposite the dunes of gorgeous Camber Sands beach. Here, there's sky and beach as far as your eyes can see, and delicious food that you can tell has been made with love.
Daily yoga, workshops with food experts and just 20 beautiful bedrooms make this a beach getaway you won't want to miss out on. Rye is surely one of the prettiest seaside towns in England, with lots of historic charm thanks to its cobbled streets and timbered medieval buildings. It's the perfect place for a stroll in search of ice cream or antiques, whatever takes your fancy.
Salcombe Harbour Hotel, Salcombe, Devon
A boutique spa destination set on the shores of Salcombe's picturesque estuary, Salcombe Harbour Hotel offers an idyllic getaway in Devon. It's the sister property to Southampton Harbour Hotel. At this peaceful location, you can take in the natural surroundings before sleeping in fine sheets – so if you're after a seaside trip with an unrivalled location and luxurious interiors, this is the place to book.
Dine at The Jetty for locally sourced seafood dishes paired with serene sea views, and relax in the spa that's home to a lap pool, hydrotherapy pool and outdoor sun terrace. Once you're suitably relaxed and ready to emerge, Salcombe is a superlatively pretty seaside town, waiting to be explored.
The Rose, Deal, Kent
If you fancy a weekend in what could affectionately be called Hoxton-on-Sea, head to the hip coastal hotspot of Deal in Kent. Just a few steps from Deal Castle Beach, The Rose is a restaurant and bar with rooms that's perfect for a weekend by the sea. There are just eight bedrooms, which combine vibrant colours and luxurious beds with vintage furniture. Along with the acclaimed restaurant on-site, there's the sister dining destination Blue Pelican, a Japanese-inspired eatery and natural wine bar nearby.
There are trays set up in the hallways for you to help yourself to tea, coffee and biscuits, or a whisky night cap if you're in need of something a little stronger. The hotel also has vintage bikes, including a tandem, available to borrow so you can enjoy the seaside in style. And also located nearby are the Pelican Rooms, a converted beachfront townhouse that is home to the hotel's yoga studio and spa-treatment rooms.
Fowey Hall, Fowey, Cornwall
This supremely family-friendly stay is one of the seaside hotels in the UK and it truly has something to offer everyone, whatever your age. If you're into heated outdoor pools and chic decor inside a grand country house, has-it-all Fowey Hall is for you. The stately stay, which is just a 15-minute walk from the beautiful sandy cove of Readymoney, has a wonderful setting with views that are as refreshing as the sea air itself.
Just-caught seafood, an indoor pool and modern spa, and the knowledge that little ones are also well catered for (parents are granted a free 90 minutes of childcare for every night they stay) round things up nicely.
The Swan Hotel, Southwold, Suffolk
Over in Suffolk, the scenic seaside town of Southwold, with its famously colourful beach huts, is deserving of a place on your staycation bucket list. Sitting just yards from the beach, The Swan is a terrific spot for soaking up the laidback beach vibes of the pretty promenade. Parts of the hotel date from the 1600s but you'll find many modern luxuries, with bright and colourful furniture setting the scene for your coastal escape.
The food is exciting and creative, and the drinks are also a massive highlight as this hotel is owned and run by the award-winning local Adnams brewery, with references to brewing and distilling beer and cider found throughout.
The Beach, Bude, Cornwall
This boutique beachside bolthole enjoys a stunning setting, just steps from the sand in surfer hotspot Bude. At The Beach on the shores of Summerleaze, you can join the cool crowd for sundowners on the sea-facing terrace, admire the stylishly coastal interiors and taste the freshest produce around at the modern restaurant.
You'll love the friendly, buzzing atmosphere, too. The upbeat and lively centre of Bude is within stumbling distance when you want a laidback culture hit and to check out more restaurants (or go in search of some rock).
Harbourmaster Hotel, Aberaeron, Ceredigion
Set in a building dating back to the 19th century, this historic boutique hotel is the perfect seaside bolthole in Wales. You can't miss it – it's one of the harbour's main landmarks, painted a dazzling shade of blue to help it garner even more attention. The Harbourmaster Hotel offers sea views from each of its stylish rooms and its location at the water's edge makes for an excellent base to feel a part of the community during your stay.
Inside, the decor is modern and cosy, with windows to take in your coastal destination and snuggly spots to hole up in the comfort of your room.
The Beach House, Milford on Sea, Hampshire
A lovely combination of grand yet relaxed, this seaside Victorian villa is a comfortable spot, located just 200 yards from the beach. The Beach House's Grade II-listed building blends the old and the new, with stately wood-panelled walls in the restaurant and freestanding copper baths in the bedrooms.
Continuing with the perfect-mix theme, you've got cycling, walking and riding available in the nearby New Forest National Park (1o minutes away), bustling shops and cafes in Bournemouth (30 minutes away), and the coast on your doorstep – everything you need in one staycation.
The Lugger, Portloe, Cornwall
You could base an entire collection of British seaside hotels on the selection in Cornwall alone. But for us, one place stands out in particular: perennial favourite The Lugger, one of the most luxurious inns around, tucked into its own tiny cove on the Roseland Peninsula.
It was once a 17th-century smuggler's inn, and today it brings together its atmospheric old premises with a relaxed, modern vibe. There are 22 simple yet stylish en-suite bedrooms and guests can also book the Lookout, set in a converted boathouse 40 yards away from the main house.
The Headland Hotel & Spa, Newquay, Cornwall
With a spectacular clifftop position, this iconic hotel – which was used as a filming location for the 1990 adaptation of Roald Dahl's The Witches – has had a very modern makeover. Not only does the Headland pack a style punch, it also has an upscale contemporary spa, with both indoor and outdoor pools.
Soak up the sun, as well as the incredible views over Fistral Beach below. You can even access the golden sand directly via a winding path straight from the hotel. Families (including dogs), couples and solo travellers will all love this stylish seaside hotel near Newquay.
The Culloden Estate and Spa, Hollywood, Belfast
While it's not directly on a beach, this luxury seaside hotel, just 10 minutes from Belfast, is worth checking into if you love glorious sunsets with a watery backdrop since it overlooks Belfast Lough. The Culloden's interior is as marvellous as its view: expect period features, marble bathrooms and sparkling chandeliers.
When it comes to a day on the shore, Helen's Bay Beach is just minutes away by car and is a lovely stretch that's adored by the locals. It's quiet, calm and the perfect place to start the day with a refreshing dip.
Hotel Tresanton, St Mawes, Cornwall
If you need a little opulence in your life, Hotel Tresanton has your name on it. A classy spot with coastal views, this luxury seaside UK hotel has bags of boutique style, with bold coastal interiors kept fresh with colourful art and mixed prints on the soft furnishings. It's part of the esteemed designer Olga Polizzi's Polizzi Collection.
Take a 10-minute stroll to St Mawes' picturesque harbour and castle, and go crabbing, sailing or kayaking. Alternatively, you can relax with lunch on the terrace back at the hotel (the hand-dived scallops couldn't be fresher), before flopping on a sun lounger, cocktail in hand. Also available during a stay here are sailing trips out on the hotel's classic boat, which was built in 1938. It's a chic base for couples or solo sojourns.
The Godolphin Hotel, Marazion, Cornwall
If you want to dine while gazing out to one of the best coastal views in Britain, move this hotel to the top of your staycation wish list. Located in a pocket of paradise on Cornwall’s delightful south-west coast, The Godolphin is a hotel, restaurant and bar with a spectacular beachfront location. Set in Marazion, the hotel overlooks the iconic St Michael's Mount and the sea, giving you a dreamy seaside setting for your next UK staycation.
While here, you'll want to spend relaxing days sipping cocktails, dining at the restaurant Shutters, calling in at Craby's beach shack for lobster and chips, and testing out surfing or stand-up paddle-boarding as the ideal mode of transport to explore the wild Cornish coast.
The Lifeboat Inn, Huntstanton, Norfolk
Coastal stays don't get much cosier than a visit to this authentic inn, with its snug bar and open fire. With views across the marshes and the sea beyond, it also boasts direct access onto the coastal path.
A haven for walkers, The Lifeboat Inn is a lovely affordable base from which to explore the North Norfolk coast. And if you fancy some artisan shops and art galleries, the charming village of Burnham Market is just a 15-minute drive away.
Looking for more staycation ideas?
- Dog-friendly hotels in Norfolk
- Luxury hotels in the Lake District
- The best gastro pubs with rooms
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