There is a unique charm to Great British seaside hotels that captures the essence of history, glamour, and timeless beauty. These establishments have long been a haven for royalty, writers, and socialites, offering a blend of elegance and coastal relaxation. Today, they continue to attract families and travelers seeking a perfect mix of luxury, adventure, and serenity. From the rugged cliffs of Scotland to the idyllic shores of the Scilly Isles, there’s a coastal hotel tailored for every kind of traveler.
How We Review
Our team of reviewers consists of resident destination experts and travel writers who specialize in hotels. They often return to the same properties, allowing them to track changes and improvements over time. Each reviewer stays at least one night, dines on at least one meal beyond breakfast, and explores all the facilities available. The evaluation includes six key areas: location, style and character, service and facilities, rooms, food and drink, and value for money. Based on these scores, our experts curate lists such as the best family-friendly or luxury seaside hotels.
At a Glance: The Best Seaside Hotels in the UK
Best seaside hotel for families– The Cary Arms, Devon
Best luxury seaside hotel– Idle Rocks, Cornwall
Best dog-friendly seaside hotel– Watergate Bay Hotel, Cornwall
Best boutique seaside hotel– The Gallivant, Sussex
Best seaside hotel with a private beach– Knockinaam Lodge, Scotland
England
The Scarlet hotel in Cornwall offers a serene retreat on the cliff edge overlooking Mawgan Porth Beach. With 37 thoughtfully designed guest rooms, each featuring outdoor space and sea views, the hotel also boasts a terraced restaurant, bar, and a spa with a natural outdoor pool, sauna cabin, and cliff-top hot tubs. The seamless blend of indoor and outdoor spaces enhances the overall experience.
Another standout is the Carbis Bay Hotel, known for its idyllic location on the golden Blue Flag beach. This 19th-century hotel, designed by Cornish architect Silvanus Trevail, features ocean-view guest rooms, the Ugly Butterfly restaurant by renowned chef Adam Handling, and a beach club. Its proximity to St Ives and the South West Coastal Path makes it an ideal choice for travelers.
The Hamptons-inspired hotel in East Sussex is another highlight, offering stylish interiors, a destination restaurant, and a serene spa setting. The Bamford Cabin provides a tranquil environment for spa treatments, while the surrounding area offers access to Camber Sands and Rye.
Watergate Bay Hotel, situated on a two-mile stretch of golden surfing beach, is the only hotel on this picturesque coastline. It offers three distinct dining venues, a swimming pool, and a surf school. The hotel frequently hosts supper clubs on the beach during the summer months.
The Salcombe Hotel, a sleek glass and cedar-fronted spa hotel, overlooks South Sands beach and features a fusion of art deco and rustic design. The 50 smallish bedrooms offer fabulous estuary views, and the hotel’s seafood restaurant is a must-visit.
Blakeney Hotel, located on the North Norfolk coast, has a long history of hosting guests. Its classic, cosy lounges feature nautical décor, and many of its 60 contemporary guest rooms come with a terrace or estuary view. The hotel’s restaurant serves classic British plates made from locally sourced ingredients.
In Brighton, the Artist Residence offers a bohemian vibe with retro furnishings, vibrant colors, and plenty of artwork. The hotel spans two townhouses and is just moments from the waterfront. Art fills the 25 bedrooms, and the property’s social venue, Blake’s Bistro & Bar, adds to the lively atmosphere.
The Atlantic Hotel, spanning six acres of headland, offers sweeping views of St Ouen’s Bay. Its public areas exude timeless elegance, and the outdoor pool looks out to sea. The Ocean Restaurant, led by chef Will Holland, serves fine dining dishes, and the hotel is family-friendly with interconnecting rooms available.
The Godolphin, located near St Michael’s Mount, features a tropical influence in its public spaces. The 10 rooms pair neutral tones with high-end touches, and the Shutters Restaurant offers floor-to-ceiling windows for breathtaking views.
St Mawes’ small harbour is the setting for this stylish Edwardian waterfront inn. The hotel’s eclectic collection of objets d’art and plush bedrooms provide a cozy yet modern feel. The Reef Knot restaurant focuses on Cornish sea-to-table cuisine, and water sports are easily accessible.
The Pier, a modernized 1860-built listed building, offers a contemporary boutique experience. The hotel’s restaurant emphasizes local seafood, and the Navyard Bar features an impressive gin library.
Hotel Tresanton, part of Olga Polizzi’s collection, offers a Positano-meets-Cornwall escape. The hotel’s 31 bedrooms, many with sea views, are complemented by a beach club and a restaurant showcasing local produce.
Fowey Hall, perched above the seaside town of Fowey, commands views over the Fowey Estuary and English Channel. The hotel is family-friendly, with tennis courts, a zipline, and pools available. A small spa and two restaurants add to its appeal.
Laidback seaside charm defines this New England-style seafront inn overlooking Babbacombe beach in Devon. Eight sea-view bedrooms occupy the floors above the stone inn, and modern beach huts and suites lead away from here. The hotel’s glass-fronted modern spa features wellness facilities, including a waterfall hydrotherapy pool and steam room.
The Reading Rooms hotel, located on Hawley Square, is a short walk from Margate’s sandy beach and old town. Three bedrooms span a floor of the Grade II listed townhouse, and an extensive à la carte breakfast is served in the privacy of these rooms. The design reflects the owners’ background in music, graphics, and architectural design.
The Roseland Country House Hotel, by the sea, attracts a loyal following for its prime position on the Roseland peninsula. The hotel’s 40 homely bedrooms, some with balconies, are joined by inviting public areas, including The Dining Room and nautical-inspired Quarterdeck. Indoor and outdoor pools, a steam room, sauna, and hot tub enhance the stay.
The Midland in Morecambe, built in the Streamline Moderne style of Art Deco in the 1930s, features curved red-carpeted corridors leading to 44 pastel-painted rooms. The Sun Terrace restaurant runs down the main façade, with floor-to-ceiling windows offering bay views.
Burgh Island, accessible by foot at low tide, is home to a captivating Art Deco retreat. The hotel’s Grand Ballroom hosts black tie dinners and ballroom dancing, and the 25 lavish guest rooms feature leisure facilities like the tidal seawater Mermaid Pool.
Hell Bay Hotel, located on the western shores of Bryher in the Isles of Scilly, offers a relaxed beachside retreat. The hotel’s highly commended restaurant, bar, and 25 suites provide a unique blend of New England and Caribbean styles.
Eastbourne’s five-star ‘white palace’ offers a prime seafront location with palatial character. Former guests include Charlie Chaplin and Winston Churchill. The hotel houses the Mirabelle Restaurant, Garden Grill, Great Hall, and a spa with an indoor pool.
The Pig on the Beach, located on the Jurassic Coast, transforms a 16th-century manor house into a coastal retreat. The hotel’s sea-view conservatory restaurant, cosy bar, and 28 individually styled rooms make it a favorite among food lovers.
The Millbrook Inn, set on a tidal creek in South Pool, offers a 15th-century site with original details like flagstone floors and beamed walls. The renowned restaurant features an outside grill in the summer months, serving meat from the family farm and fresh fish and seafood.
Saunton Sands Hotel, atop the cliffs overlooking Saunton Beach, is part of the North Devon Unesco Biosphere Reserve. The 1930s-built hotel features a modern spa, indoor and outdoor pools, and family-friendly facilities.
Brighton’s grand dame seafront hotel offers Art Deco-inspired bedrooms with nautical touches and 20s-style furniture. The British restaurant Cyan, Victoria Bar & Lounge, and Victoria Terrace serve award-winning afternoon tea. Some sea view rooms and suites come with a balcony.
Hope Cove House offers a classy setting for enjoying delicious food and wine after a day on the beach or coastal walks. All nine airy and bright bedrooms have sea views, with Room Six offering a double aspect view and a cushioned window seat.
Wales
The striking blue Harbourmaster Hotel, located on the harbourfront of Aberaeron in Cardigan Bay, offers 13 historic harbour buildings. Guests can choose between sea- or harbour-view rooms, and a self-catering cottage is nearby. Hearty breakfasts and local-produce-led lunches and dinners are served in the harbour-facing bistro.
Bodysgallen Hall and Spa, located inland from Llandudno, offers a heritage-rich country manor within over 200 acres of parkland. Inside, expect an oak-panelled hall, library, and dark-wood drawing room, with a restaurant serving imaginative dishes incorporating local ingredients.
Penally House, a Strawberry Gothic house hotel, is a 30-minute stroll from Tenby. The renovated 18th-century house is decorated with antique furniture and Persian rugs, with a conservatory, cosy bar, and Rhosyn Restaurant serving meals and afternoon tea.
The Cliff Hotel, located in the southeastern fringes of Pembrokeshire National Park, offers open-plan spaces, contemporary décor, and floor-to-ceiling windows. The Cliff Restaurant affords views across the bay and harbour, and the hotel features a hydrotherapy infinity pool and one of Wales’ best spas.
The 1850s-built seaside villa in Llandudno offers stylish boutique hotel accommodations. Design-led interiors, incorporating items sourced from European design fairs, encompass a series of individually styled rooms. The dining room serves breakfast and occasionally hosts pop-up dining events.
Scotland
Sandy beaches and the popular seaside town of North Berwick are within easy reach of this grand Edwardian hotel just outside Gullane. The hotel overlooks the Firth of Forth and is positioned right by the Muirfield championship golf course. The Lutyens-designed Arts and Crafts house features 23 individually decorated bedrooms, a panelled library, and a garden room.
Machrie Hotel, located on the spectacular seven-mile beach on Islay, offers a low-key contemporary luxe style. The hotel encompasses an 18-hole golf course and features simple, chic rooms, a light-filled restaurant, and additional lifestyle facilities including a gym and sauna.
Northern Ireland
Slieve Donard Hotel, opened in 1898, stands out as one of the finest seafront properties for a weekend stay. The turreted Scottish Baronial-style house is grand and homely, with fireplaces throughout the property. The hotel is scenically set in six acres of grounds, right on the beach, with the Royal County Down golf course on one side and the resort town of Newcastle on the other. Views take in the bay and mountains behind. While staying in the Victorian themed rooms, guests can enjoy four restaurants and bars and retreat to the expansive spa home to a pool, sauna, and hot tub with sea and mountain views.
