St Bride’s Spa Hotel, Pembrokeshire
If you’re looking for a place to unwind, this stylish spa hotel, overlooking golden Saundersfoot Beach, would be an ideal choice. Treatment rooms and relaxation areas surround an outdoor hydro infinity pool that looks directly out to sea, while the treatment menu includes Caudalie and Voya therapies. Most of the 34 rooms have wonderful views, and the Gallery Bar’s terrace is the perfect spot for a sunset cocktail. The chefs at the Cliff Restaurant make the most of local fishing boats, while vegans have their own menu.
double of £200 guest rooms ; stbridespahotel.com
The Gallivant, Camber Sands, East Sussex
A laid-back West Coast vibe seeps into this beachfront asshole set among the dunes and offering daily yoga classes, mindful beach walks and wine tastings, plus facials and massages in the pretty Beach Hut mini-spa. Rooms are chic and contemporary, with tongue-and-groove paneling, sleek headboards, and marble bathrooms. Rooms on the oceanfront deck have private balconies. Dinners with hyper-local ingredients – asparagus from Sussex, silver mullet from Rye Bay – are accompanied by a wide selection of English wines.
double of £180, room only; no under 16; thegallivant.co.uk
Pig on the beach, Studland, Dorset
Formerly owned by the National Trust, this quirky yellow-walled mansion is now home to the distinctive Pig brand of fine-dining hotels. The restaurant serves a 25-mile menu, with many ingredients sourced from the pig’s own vegetable garden, while the Wood Ovens is an outdoor space that prepares sourdough pizzas to enjoy with English bubbly or local ciders. For stunning beach views, book one of the two shepherd’s huts in the garden, or up the romance factor with a night in one of the dovecotes.
Double from £225, room only; thepighotel.com
The Clifton, Shanklin, Isle of Wight
A classic Victorian seaside hotel, the Clifton at Shanklin has been revamped into the kind of place that feels both delightfully old-fashioned and quietly contemporary. The hotel’s large veranda is the perfect place to curl up with a good book or simply take in the stunning sea views, while the veranda is a lovely place for breakfasts, cream teas or a languid beer or two. There’s no restaurant, but plenty of places to eat within walking distance, as is the train station, making it an ideal car-free break.
Doubles from £136 B&Bs; no dogs or children under ten; thecliftonshanklin.co.uk
Bude Beach, Devon
This is one of the most affordable hotels on the North Devon coast, where the bedrooms reflect the New England theme, with limed oak furniture, Lloyd Loom chairs and sumptuous feather duvets, ideal for collapsing after a day of surfing. It’s also ideal for walkers, with the South West Coast Path nearby, and the outside terrace is the perfect place for a pint after the hike. There are regular live music nights and dinner in Elements Restaurant is pizza, pasta and hearty pub classics, served with great views of Summerleaze Beach.
Doubles from £105 guest rooms; thebeachatbude.co.uk
The Watergate Bay Hotel, Cornwall
A family favourite, this bright and airy hotel – set back from one of Cornwall’s best beaches – is suitable for teenagers and toddlers alike, with surfing and swimming lessons, yoga classes and an Ofsted-registered children’s club. The three restaurants include the Living Space, an informal lounge-style eatery that serves everything from sharing platters and first-kid dinners to cream teas and cocktails. Rooms range from new “beach lofts” with surf-in, surf-out access to suites and family apartments.
Doubles from £220 B&Bs; watergatebay.co.uk
The Blakeney Hotel, Blakeney, Norfolk
Located on the town’s quiet quayside, with spectacular views across the estuary to the Blakeney Point salt flats, this charming hotel is as welcoming to families as it is to hikers, bird watchers and couples looking for a relaxing getaway. a peaceful place to unwind. Rooms exude classic, understated charm with crisp white linens and understated decor; connecting and dog-friendly rooms are available, many with stunning water views. The indoor pool is an option if the weather is cool, while the south-facing terrace and gardens are a dream for sunny, lazy afternoons.
Doubles from £153 guest rooms; blakeney-hotel.co.uk
Argyll Hotel, Isle of Iona, Scotland
Cosy, personal and with magnificent views over the Strait of Iona, The Argyll offers traditional Scottish hospitality, spectacular seafood and simple, comfortable rooms, all set against the rugged and atmospheric beauty of the island. A member of the Mull and Iona Food Trail, the Argyll offers home-baked cakes and afternoon teas as well as sustainably landed fish and shellfish dinners. Dogs are welcome and cots can be provided. and the extra £20 for sea view rooms is well worth it.
Doubles from £130 guest rooms; argyllhoteliona.co.uk
Drakes, Brighton, East Sussex
Mix beach days and party nights at this chic boutique hotel, overlooking Marine Drive with the sea directly in front. The ocean view rooms, with floor-to-ceiling sash windows, are the ones to book, but the more affordable city view rooms are just as stylish and all come with White Company toiletries, fresh coffee and Twining teas. The Bar at Drakes is a great place to start an evening or reserve a table for dinner at Amarillo, which offers a six-course tasting menu (with vegetarian equivalent).
Doubles from £112, single room; drakesofbrighton.com
Hotel Saunton Sands, Devon
This is the view to beat; the vast expanse of sand backed by dunes in Saunton is one of the most spectacular coastal sites in the country. The hotel is located above the water, with extensive gardens and an outdoor pool, while indoors, the Source Spa has a heated pool with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the Atlantic. The hotel has its own restaurant, the Beachside Grill, right on the sand, while the dining room serves upscale British fare.
Doubles from £256 B&B; sauntonsands.co.uk
