From harbourside retreats to remote escapes, the UK has the most spectacular coastline that never fails to feed the soul. Estuaries and salt flats, sandy beaches and secluded cliff top locations, the hotels by the sea combine spectacular views, natural beauty and excellent customer service with sand, surf and occasionally sunshine as well. Here are the Good Hotel Guide’s Editor’s Choice top 10 seaside hotels.
2020 Editor's Choice Seaside Hotels
Editor’s Choice Seaside Hotels
Soar Mill Cove Hotel - Midweek Special Offer
Salcombe
‘We rate this very highly in almost every respect.’ Praise from a reader for Keith Makepeace’s much-loved, family-run, family-friendly, dog-friendly hotel in a ‘gorgeous’ coastal setting.
Rathmullan House - Winter Nights Special Offer
Rathmullan
More a professional operation, less an intimate Irish country house experience, Mark and Mary Wheeler’s hotel on the shore of Lough Swilly, in ‘wild and wonderful’ Donegal, has something for everyone.
Romney Bay House - Winter Coastal Break Special Offer
New Romney
‘After a journey along the bumpy road, we were welcomed at the door by Lisa and Clinton, who took our cases up the rather steep stairs to a lovely room.’
The Blakeney Hotel
Holt
Widescreen vistas of salt marshes and big skies rush to this family-friendly, quayside hotel. Helmed by Emma Stannard, with ‘universally friendly and efficient staff’, the north Norfolk grand dame is approaching its centenary.
Porth Tocyn Hotel
Abersoch
There is a deceptive ‘wacky’ quality to the Fletcher-Brewers’ ‘lovely’ hotel overlooking Cardigan Bay, a casual vibe that belies the professionalism of the operation.
Tresanton
St Mawes
‘Expensive certainly, but it’s worth paying for quality.’
The Pierhouse
Port Appin
‘In the most beautiful position, with sea, islands and mountains in full view,’ this former Victorian piermaster’s house stands ‘right on the shores of Loch Linnhe’.
The Royal Hotel
Ventnor
You can take afternoon tea, as Queen Victoria did, at this ‘very good hotel’, perhaps on the Geranium Terrace, ‘the whole length adorned with superb pink geraniums’.
The Gallivant
Camber
‘Great to cross over the road to an incredible beach where you can stroll for miles,’ writes a reader who spent ‘a great weekend’ at Harry Cragoe’s restaurant-with-rooms.
Talland Bay Hotel
Talland-By-Looe
‘One of our favourite hotels,’ enthuses a reader about Teresa and Kevin O’Sullivan’s quirky and luxurious cliff-top hideaway in this south Cornish seaside hamlet.
Seaside Hotel of the Year 2019 (Cesar Winner)
Editor’s Choice Seaside Hotels
The Nare - Four night Autumn Break Special Offer
Veryan-in-Roseland
‘The views are glorious,’ writes a Guide regular, after a visit to Toby Ashworth’s hotel above Carne Beach. ‘Each night I fell asleep to the sound of waves.’
2019 Editor's Choice Seaside Hotels
Editor’s Choice Seaside Hotels
Argyll Hotel - Early Autumn Special Offer
Iona
The best tables in the sun lounge gaze across the water to Mull at this owner-run hotel occupying a row of crofters’ cottages. Menus embrace locally caught fish, hand-creeled langoustines, crab and lobster, organic garden produce.
The White Horse - Free Bottle of Wine Special Offer
Brancaster Staithe
There are Brancaster oysters and beer- battered cod on the bar menu at this family-run inn with views across the salt marshes to the sea. Close by are miles of unspoilt honey-hued sandy beaches, perfect for kite-surfing.
Trefeddian Hotel - Midweek Summer Breaks Special Offer
Aberdovey
A hotel for family holidays, not boutique or trendy, but relaxed, with the beach just across the road, sea-facing lounges, packed lunches to order, children’s supper, tea on the terrace, a putting green, and good, old-fashioned hospitality.
Cary Arms & Spa - Romantic Hideaway Experience Special Offer
Babbacombe
You can arrive by sea and moor at this secluded hotel, which clings to the cliffs above the Teign estuary. Beach huts in tropical coastal gardens have wall-to-wall glass doors, a sunbathing deck, views across Lyme Bay.
Hell Bay Hotel
Bryher
Outside, calm protected beaches and dreamy views of outlying islets. Inside, rooms with a breezy New England style, an acclaimed collection of Cornish art and a menu highlighting gloriously fresh produce from the Isles of Scilly. Its crab shack is a popular summer fixture.
Tresanton
St Mawes
All bedrooms have views across Falmouth Bay to St Anthony’s lighthouse, at Olga Polizzi’s relaxed but stylish hotel. You can sail aboard a vintage yacht or just hang out in the Beach Club, lunch on oysters or a crab sandwich with champagne.
Artist Residence Brighton
Brighton
From sea-view balcony rooms to the basement Bunkhouse and ‘Below Deck’, this Regency seafront hotel is as cool and quirky as Brighton itself. Breakfast in The Set includes scrambled rare-breed Cacklebean eggs with local smoked mackerel.
The Seaside Boarding House
Burton Bradstock
On Chesil Beach, drawing inspiration from Edward Hopper’s Cape Cod, this is a hip but laid-back operation. All bedrooms have a sea view. You can eat on the terrace – crab sandwiches, home-made ices, Dorset cream tea.
The George Hotel & Beach Club
Yarmouth
On a shingle beach lapped by the waves, with sea-facing conservatory restaurant and terrace, this smart Guide newcomer occupies a historic town house between castle and pier. Many rooms have Solent or harbour views.
Treglos Hotel
Padstow
There is a real holiday vibe at this family- run, family-friendly hotel, with many sea- facing bedrooms, golf course, spa, partner surf school (‘coasteering’, kayaking, stand- up paddleboarding), and seafood platter lunches served on the deck.
2018 Editor's Choice Seaside Hotels
Editor’s Choice Seaside Hotels
The Nare - Four night Autumn Break Special Offer
Veryan-in-Roseland
‘The views are glorious,’ writes a Guide regular, after a visit to Toby Ashworth’s hotel above Carne Beach. ‘Each night I fell asleep to the sound of waves.’
Cary Arms & Spa - Romantic Hideaway Experience Special Offer
Babbacombe
Just above the beach, Lana de Savary’s hotel was newly built when Edward VII came by rowing boat for a Devonshire cream tea.
The Blakeney Hotel
Holt
Widescreen vistas of salt marshes and big skies rush to this family-friendly, quayside hotel. Helmed by Emma Stannard, with ‘universally friendly and efficient staff’, the north Norfolk grand dame is approaching its centenary.
Porth Tocyn Hotel
Abersoch
There is a deceptive ‘wacky’ quality to the Fletcher-Brewers’ ‘lovely’ hotel overlooking Cardigan Bay, a casual vibe that belies the professionalism of the operation.
The White House
Herm
The ferry from Guernsey brings guests to this tiny, car-free island; the one and only hotel sends a tractor for their bags.
Tresanton
St Mawes
‘Expensive certainly, but it’s worth paying for quality.’
The Beach
Bude
Overlooking Summerleaze surfers’ beach, with its 1930s tidal pool and brightly coloured beach huts, the Victorian Summerleaze Court Hotel has been reinvented in hip New England style.
The Pig on the Beach
Studland
With rooms in thatched dovecotes, a shepherd’s hut and an ‘eccentric’ Victorian villa, Robin Hutson’s ‘whimsical’ seaside hotel is ‘wonderfully located’ and ‘very welcoming’.
The Seaside Boarding House
Burton Bradstock
In ‘a wonderful cliff-top location’, this ‘large white edifice above Chesil Beach’ is run as a restaurant-with-rooms by Mary-Lou Sturridge and Tony Mackintosh, late of London’s Groucho Club.
The Idle Rocks
St Mawes
‘We found seats on the attractive terrace’ with ‘views across St Mawes harbour to Falmouth Bay’ reports a lunchtime visitor to Caroline and David Richards’s ‘superb’ hotel.
2017 Editor's Choice Seaside Hotels
Editor’s Choice Seaside Hotels
Soar Mill Cove Hotel - Midweek Special Offer
Salcombe
‘We rate this very highly in almost every respect.’ Praise from a reader for Keith Makepeace’s much-loved, family-run, family-friendly, dog-friendly hotel in a ‘gorgeous’ coastal setting.
The Nare - Four night Autumn Break Special Offer
Veryan-in-Roseland
‘The views are glorious,’ writes a Guide regular, after a visit to Toby Ashworth’s hotel above Carne Beach. ‘Each night I fell asleep to the sound of waves.’
Romney Bay House - Winter Coastal Break Special Offer
New Romney
‘After a journey along the bumpy road, we were welcomed at the door by Lisa and Clinton, who took our cases up the rather steep stairs to a lovely room.’
The White Horse - Free Bottle of Wine Special Offer
Brancaster Staithe
‘A lovely hotel with efficient, friendly staff,’ declares a trusted Guide reader this year after a third visit to the Nye family’s inn, which gazes across tidal salt marshes to Scolt Head Island and the open sea.
Cary Arms & Spa - Romantic Hideaway Experience Special Offer
Babbacombe
Just above the beach, Lana de Savary’s hotel was newly built when Edward VII came by rowing boat for a Devonshire cream tea.
driftwood hotel
Porthscatho
You can order a picnic hamper and walk down to a private beach through lovely gardens at Paul and Fiona Robinson’s New England-inspired hotel, or just relax on the deck, gazing across Gerrans Bay.
The White House
Herm
The ferry from Guernsey brings guests to this tiny, car-free island; the one and only hotel sends a tractor for their bags.
The Old Coastguard
Penzance
‘They really want to give you a treat and spoil you.’ ‘A lovely and relaxing couple of days.’ Much praise this year for Charles and Edmund Inkin’s ‘buzzy’ dining pub.
The Pig on the Beach
Studland
With rooms in thatched dovecotes, a shepherd’s hut and an ‘eccentric’ Victorian villa, Robin Hutson’s ‘whimsical’ seaside hotel is ‘wonderfully located’ and ‘very welcoming’.
The Idle Rocks
St Mawes
‘We found seats on the attractive terrace’ with ‘views across St Mawes harbour to Falmouth Bay’ reports a lunchtime visitor to Caroline and David Richards’s ‘superb’ hotel.
Hotels chosen in 2016
Editor’s Choice Seaside Hotels
Hell Bay Hotel
Bryher
‘Hell by name, quite the opposite by nature,’ declares a reader after visiting Robert Dorrien-Smith’s ‘gloriously located’ hotel on the smallest of the inhabited islands of Scilly. ‘Our stay was heavenly.’
The Colonsay
Colonsay
You can take the ferry from Oban, or hop across on a twin-propeller plane, to discover Jane and Alex Howard’s 18th-century inn, bar and village hub, on a hillside overlooking the harbour.
The Henley
Bigbury-on-Sea
‘An idyllic place. . . absolute heaven.’ So say regular visitors to Martyn Scarterfield and Petra Lampe’s dog-friendly B&B with ‘fabulous views’ over Bigbury Bay.
Dunvalanree in Carradale
CARRADALE
Alyson and Alan Milstead’s restaurant-with-rooms is ‘a lovely place, excellent for all its quirkiness,’ says a regular Guide reader in 2017.
