There's little better in life than waking up to the soft sound of waves lapping? Ok, well, perhaps a few things – but when it comes to being on holiday, little beats it. The sound, sight and often even smell of the ocean is so relaxing that it's a soothing tonic that can softly lull you out of a deep slumber, and put you straight into relaxation mode.
And the best bit? You don't even need to leave the UK to experience it. But forget scenes of the British seaside being anything like the days of yore, with 'kiss me quick' hats and garish sticks of rock that will no doubt break your teeth. Instead, the hotels we've listed are up there with some of the best, with chic interiors, rooftop terraces to watch the sunset from, menus so good they're worth travelling for alone and the added extra that they're right on the water's front.
Whether you want to be in the South West, East Sussex, the Kent coast or Suffolk, these are the hotels right on the seaside that are worth booking now.
Guest House No. 42, Margate
This is the third launch from the Guest House group, which has become known for renovating heritage buildings with their simple but uber-cool style.
Set right on the beachfront between the Turner Gallery and amusement park Dreamland it's the creation of brothers James, Tristan, and Tom Guest and follows hot off the heels of No.15 in Bath and No.1 in York. Here in Margate Guest House has brought a sense of grown-up calm to this classic British seaside destination.
Inside the 21 rooms rarely stray far from the cool-toned neutral palette. Soft curved shapes outweigh angles from mirrors, ceiling lampshades, and side tables to the doodle-like artwork painted above headboards, creating a non-kitsch seaside feel inspired by waves and shells. Some have roll-top baths (request one if you're very keen), and others allow four-legged friends. Plenty have wide views over the sandy expanse outside and all have Roberts radios and Crosley record players.
Head to Pearly Cow for dinner, or pre-dinner drinks and local Whitstable oysters at the oyster bar. Watch the sunset from the rooftop bar, which isn't unknown to DJ nights. There's even a spa too, with three treatment rooms and organic products. Helpful little extras include being met at the nearby train station staff cycling your luggage back and a pantry full of snacks and sweets enough to satisfy any midnight cravings. Taking the children? They're catered for with bedtime storybooks included and a restaurant kids menu.
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The Rose, Deal, Kent
Ok, so The Rose isn't right on the seafront. But it's so close (less than a minute's walk) that it would be a disservice to the historic pub, now owned by Alex Bagner and Chris Hicks, not to include it. Just two roads separate it from the pebbly beach, so what you lose in ocean views is made up for by its expertly designed interiors – owing to Alex's former role as Style Editor at Wallpaper magazine. However keen swimmers could have a quick sea dip and be back in the hotel before breakfast.
The eight rooms reflect the artsy and creative feel of the area. The running theme is the bold use of color, pattern, and texture from the Seventies-inspired pink bathrooms to oversized velvet headboards in jewel tones, from orange to teal, and contrasting black floorboards. Food wise, Portuguese chef Nuno Mendes (chef-owner of Lisboeta, London) is the executive chef meaning dinner is unmissable, especially considering the three-course set menu is just £24.
Another must is the pub's sister restaurant, The Blue Pelican, set to be one of the hottest tables on the coast this year thanks to chef Luke Green's Japanese-inspired menu and achingly cool interiors. Think Farrow & Ball Kittiwake blue, orange, and white checkerboard floor and a modern 'Great Wave off Kanagawa' inspired painting. Upstairs there's also a yoga room – with sea views – that's popular with locals and guests of The Rose.
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Hotel Tresanton, St Mawes, Cornwall
St Mawes, on the Cornish Roseland Peninsula, is the king of seaside locations, and none more so is this true than for Hotel Tresanton. Its quality is a testament to its longevity, which is now in its 26th year after being lovingly revived by famed hotelier Olga Polizzi.
It may be in Cornwall, but the hotel's feel is almost Mediterranean with its white-washed front sunbleached decking, piqued blue sun loungers, stripy umbrellas, and palm trees, which all combined form an appropriate ode to its former life as a yacht club. The spirit still lives on though as guests can hire the 8m classic yacht, Pinuccia, which even raced for Italy.
It's made up of five properties and cleverly, nearly all of the 31 rooms make use of that neverending ocean view and overlook St Anthony's lighthouse. The decor is a pleasing combination of old and new furniture and plenty of local art depicting that ever so special Cornish light this part of the county is famous for.
The terraced beach club, right above the water, is where guests while away the summer days it is suitably decked out with a bar and there's a spacious inside dining room with a mosaic floor that's south-facing and full of light too.
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Carbis Bay Hotel, Carbis, Cornwall
Sitting right above the immaculate stretch of Carbis Bay beach, with its wide bay, pale sand, and lapping waves, it's fair to call this site an oasis. What started life as a cliff-top hotel has now tastefully sprawled into what the hotel describes as an estate. The jewel in the crown is the lodges, which were used for the G7 summit in 2021.
The self-catering lodges are wonderfully luxurious and make the most of the excellent beach views, with each having three or four bedrooms across three floors. Slide back the bedroom's glass doors to be awoken by the sounds of the waves. Bathrooms include Bamford toiletries, some have roll-top baths. Everything is high spec, but so seamlessly integrated you'd barely notice the light switches or aircon.
The downstairs living space is open plan and outside the garden is a continuation of the space and even has private access to the beach, which is a few steps away. While on the top floor outside is a glass-fronted patio with a hot tub.
The hotel's pool is one of the most spectacular, it's heated and overlooks the ocean. Finish off with a sauna above the pool.
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The Suffolk, Alderburgh
Opening in 2022, after a full renovation, this 17th-century townhouse restaurant with rooms is on Aldeburgh's main high street but is just a mere few steps away from the shingle beach of the East Coast.
It's now under the capable hands of Geroge Pell, who is managing director of London's L'Escargot restaurant. He ran up a pop-up during the pandemic to keep jobs going for L'Escargot staff but is now under the spell of the East Coast, and has never gotten around to leaving again. Instead, he bought the hotel. The six bedrooms feature cream tones and natural linens, while the removal of a TV is much-welcomed. It's relaxed but the details are well thought out and the service is excellent, making it feel far more than a local seaside hotel.
Of course, seafood is the food du jour where head chef James Jay excels and uses hyper-locally caught fish and seafood. The restaurant's interior is a modern take on 70s retro glamour with pale wood furniture and woven rattan hanging lampshades.
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Salcombe Harbour House Hotel, Salcombe, Devon
Salcombe is another famous little corner of the southwest that attracts boat lovers. Similarly to Conwall's Hotel Tresanton, it's set just above the water's edge. It's also right on the coast path, so if yachting is not for you, there are still plenty of nearby places and beaches to hike to.
Rooms are tastefully nautical with hues of oatmeal, white, and navy, and the odd flush of stripes and a little bit of kitsch in the form of portholes or lobster pots. Many have balconies that run the length of the room, or terraces and even 'balcony boxes' with rugs and binoculars ready for stargazing and bathrooms feature Bramley products.
The Jetty restaurant is all about local seafood, and its panoramic views over the water. Expect dishes like seafood curry, lobster bisque, or good old fish and chips, then finish up the evening with a cocktail on the rooftop bar.
If the weather's not beaming sunshine, while away hours in the spa's pools, hot tub, steam room, or sauna, or hole up in the private cinema. Little touches include complimentary Salcombe gin and tonics with ice and lemon left in your room in the afternoons.
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Gara Rock, South Devon
It's the only hotel on the list set on a clifftop, meaning it offers unbeatable views across the cliffs and water below, which is just over the estuary from Salcombe. Once a collection of cottages used by the coastguard, Gara Rock's USP is its remoteness – there's nothing else around, bar the coast path and empty beaches below.
As impressive as the panoramic scenes are, you won't be disappointed when you head inside either. Room interiors are slick yet cozy and slightly rustic in places, featuring plenty of textures from sheepskin rugs to seagrass, while the main event (the view) is framed with floor-to-ceiling windows. Some have balconies and even gardens, and there's just a nod to the location with prints of fish.
Luxe extras include an outdoor heated swimming pool (obviously it's overlooking the sea) as well as a spa with an indoor pool. The Pièce de résistance is the sun terrace, where dining here is a must in summer. It's also popular with local walkers for lunch or coffee. On the menu there's the likes of Devon smoked bacon chop, grilled monkfish, and battered cod.
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The Gallivant, Rye, East Sussex
Close to Camber Sands' dunes in East Sussex, The Gallivant has nailed its version of a Hamptons-esque beach house feel, without a hint of tackiness.
Its location means it's unsurprisingly big on English wine and champions many of the local vineyards in the area. The menu is small and perfectly formed, with a choice of two or three courses of seasonal dishes, and the staff will gladly help you pair their huge selection of English wines with your meal.
Rooms feature well-chosen bold colors, roll-top baths, and Bamford toiletries and some are pet-friendly. Outside's decked area oozes coastal chic with a pebbled garden dotted with succulents and wildflowers, white wooden furniture, parasols, and festooned lighting making it perfect for lounging when you've tired of the beach. Inside there's a little library for relaxing if it's not so sunny, and a vast bar perfect for pre-dinner cocktails. Be sure to dine outside if the weather allows it and don't miss the chance to wind down in Bamford Spa in a quiet spot in the garden.
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Lympstone Manor, Exmouth, Devon
Headed up by born and bred Devonian chef Michael Caines, Lympstone Manor's views over the River Dart Estuary are particularly impressive.
The original Georgian country house was fully refurbished when the chef took it over, and newly added is the more casual dining poolhouse restaurant and the heated outside pool, which has a real Mediterranean feel to it. Just below the house is the vineyard Michael planted, which truly has its microclimate owing to its natural sloping and waterside location. Of course, the excellent wines are served in the hotel. But one of the biggest pulls – aside from that view – is Michael's Michelin-starred food. Expect the best quality ingredients from the likes of the nearby famed Darts Farm and fish from boats in Brixham, which you can see from the hotel.
Rooms are named after local birds, where most have views over the water and vineyard, and some have outside baths. They're spacious, feature pastel and neutral colors, and are given a touch of glamour with plenty of velvet and parquet flooring. There are a couple of shepherd's huts at the bottom of the vineyard, decorated with bright colors and bold wallpapering, and some rooms are fit for your four-legged friends, too.
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