Boutique Seaside Hotels For A Winter Break
No. 42 by Guesthouse
Margate, Kent
One of our favourite hotel brands, thanks to its friendly service and smart interiors, Guesthouse opened a property on Margate High Street last summer. Its 18 rooms and three suites have the group’s signature soft, neutral décor with plush decorative accents and nautical touches that nod to the seaside location. The rooftop bar is only open during the summer months, but there’s the cosy Pearly Cow restaurant – think generous brunch dishes and sharing plates served in a buzzy dining room. There’s also a lounge bar for nightcaps, and a small spa with treatment rooms for facials, massages or soaks in large copper bathtubs. The team will even collect your luggage from the train station while you explore Margate’s highlights before checking in.
From £155 per night.
Visit GuesthouseHotels.co.uk
The Gallivant
Rye, Sussex
The Gallivant is the place to go for a wellness retreat for two, for English wine tasting, for wild swimming, or for enjoying a treatment in the Bamford Cabin before relaxing in one of the hotel’s coastal-inspired bedrooms. Inside, you’ll find nautical décor, hidden reading nooks and beautiful views of the beach. During the winter months, the hotel offers events from moonrise yoga sessions to community beach clean-ups. Camber Sands is a three-minute walk away, while Rye Harbour and the charming Mermaid Street are also close by.
From £180 per night.
Visit TheGallivant.co.uk
The Bonnie Badger
East Lothian, Scotland
This small restaurant with rooms is a short walk from Gullane Beach in East Lothian, a 30-minute drive from Edinburgh. Extend a stay in the Scottish capital and check into this historic property, which has been carefully restored by celebrity chef Tom Kitchin and his wife Michaela. There are five spacious rooms, all with underfloor heating and interiors that showcase some local talent – there’s wallpaper by Mairi Helena and luxurious bedding by North Berwick-based Laura Thomas. And the food, of course, is something to write home about. The restaurant, which has a Michelin Bib Gourmand, has a ‘nature to plate’ ethos, turning out dishes made with quality Scottish ingredients. A meal might start with Orkney scallops with Jerusalem artichokes, followed by slow-roasted pork belly, and dark chocolate mousse for dessert.
Rooms from £225 per night.
Visit BonnieBadger.com
The Rose
Deal, Kent
One of the most affordable options on this list, The Rose is a quirky hotel on the Kent coast. Eight rooms feature an eclectic mix of vintage patterns, bold colours and kitsch fabrics, as well as nice touches like hallway bars filled with treats. For a romantic stay, book Room Four, which has a super-king bed, large walk-in shower, freestanding roll-top bath, and a record player with a cool selection of vinyl. Couples can enjoy breakfast (you’re encouraged to order as much as you like) and dinner in the chic restaurant or pretty courtyard. The British comfort food is made using quality local ingredients – think glazed cod with melted onions and pine nuts. Once you’ve explored Deal’s excellent high street, hire a couple of vintage bikes from the hotel to cycle along the seafront.
Rooms from £100 per night.
Visit TheRoseDeal.com
The Pig On The Beach
Studland Bay, Dorset
Just a short walk from Studland Bay on the Isle of Purbeck in Dorset, The Pig on the Beach is a failsafe option. Guests are encouraged to go for walks along the long beach and sand dunes (which form part of the South West Coast Path), before relaxing in a treatment hut or hunkering down in the bar with ‘piggy bits’ like chipolatas or sausage rolls. There’s a walled kitchen garden which is busy year-round, as well as a sea-view conservatory restaurant, and a path down to the beach. Guests can stay in the main house, in a hut, or in a unique dovecote on the property – do things properly and book a room with a sea view.
Rooms from £299 per night.
Visit ThePigHotel.com
Foresters Hall
Cowes, Isle of Wight
After the TV producer of Schitt's Creek moved to Cowes a few years ago, he bought a small hotel and transformed it with his wife. Now, Foresters Hall is a chic spot with cool and quirky interiors. Guests can stay in the main house or one of the spacious Garden Rooms further along the courtyard. Each room has been individually designed with tasteful pops of colour and a blend of contemporary and vintage furniture. Ideal for a fun girls trip, The Terrace is a lovely spot for an evening drink. The Restaurant serves dishes made with local produce, while The Bar has an extensive wine list. There’s also a heated outdoor pool surrounded by wicker deck chairs.
Rooms from £295 per night.
Visit ForestersHall.com
Atlanta Trevone
Padstow, Cornwall
A short walk from Trevone Beach near Padstow, Atlanta Trevone is a collection of luxury holiday homes and self-catering apartments. Accommodation is spread across several buildings and a Victorian house which has been carefully restored over the last few years with help from HÁM interiors. Inside, whitewashed walls, vaulted ceilings, sash windows and a combination of contemporary and modern furniture lend a serene feel. All homes and apartments are kitted out with Lacanche cookers, open fireplaces, and en-suite bathrooms with rolltop baths overlooking the sea. Visit during the colder months to enjoy quiet walks along the beach and trips to the local lobster hatchery.
From £300 for 3-night stays.
Visit AtlantaTrevoneBay.com
Port Hotel
Eastbourne, Sussex
If you’re looking for a cool seaside alternative to Cornwall or Brighton, Port Hotel has quickly established itself as one Eastbourne’s smartest hotels. In a converted Victorian building on the beachfront, it’s got 19 bedrooms. Each one has calm and neutral interiors with comfy beds and modern en-suites with showers or freestanding baths. At the all-day restaurant, guests can enjoy continental breakfast or brunch, followed by lunch or dinner served in the dining room or out on the terrace. During a stay, explore the South Downs National Park, walk along the pier, or visit the contemporary art galleries dotted around town.
Rooms from £90 per night.
Visit PortHotel.co.uk
Beach Retreats
Newquay, Cornwall
Beach Retreats is a collection of holiday homes across Cornwall and Devon. For a group trip, we recommend Winnow, which is part of the Village complex in Watergate Bay. Designed by BBC2’s Interior Design Masters winner Banjo Beale, the property has bespoke furnishings inspired by the local area, plus a range of sustainable features like sedum roofs, air-source heat pumps and a special temperature control system. Sleeping up to ten guests across four bedrooms, it has an open-plan kitchen/dining room, floor-to-ceiling glass windows, a spacious living area with plush decorative accents, and underfloor heating throughout. Outside, there’s a first-floor veranda, a ground-floor patio and a surf shower. Guests can walk to Watergate Bay beach, dine at the restaurant, or even try a cold-water swim.
From £2,305 per week.
Visit BeachRetreats.co.uk
Alexander J Collins
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