The Gallivant

Amid coastal gardens, across the road from the important wildlife habitat of Camber dunes, Harry Cragoe’s adults-only hotel has the feel of a Californian motel, albeit an incredibly chic one. Now, the night rate is on a half-board basis only, and includes elevenses, English wine at 5 pm, and an ‘experience’, from yoga to kitchen skills. Bedrooms are all on the ground floor and most have a breezy seaside palette, with French doors to private decking. The largest are more dramatic, with a freestanding bathtub behind sliding doors, a monsoon shower, and French doors to the garden, with teak garden furniture. ‘You could watch the telly from the bath, two comfortable chairs or the bed,’ happy readers were moved to write mid-stay. Chef Jamie Guy’s seasonal menus are sourced as locally as possible and might include wood-roasted monkfish tail with seashore vegetables, or wood-grilled lamb loin chops. ‘We think the food is superb – a great dinner last night, now off to breakfast,' which might mean smoky beans, crumpets with smoked-trout butter, a sausage bun with tomato marmalade. Beyond the dunes an unspoilt beach awaits. (RB)