10 Luxurious Seaside Breaks to Book Across the UK
If you are one of the many who may have not sorted their passport in time, or perhaps you're just fed up with airport queues, why not stay at home this summer?
Salcombe Harbour Hotel & Spa
Just a stone’s throw from the water’s edge and a short stroll into the perennially popular town of Salcombe, this super-smart south Devon hotel looks out over Salcombe’s picture-postcard estuary with its bobbing boats and pastel-coloured cottages straggling up the hillside. For foodies there’s a fabulous all-day seafood bar and grill and an outside terrace to enjoy a sundowner after a long day exploring the local beaches, striding out along the many cliff walks or simply pottering around the boutique-filled streets of Salcombe, After all that activity you might want to book a pre-dinner treatment in one the the spa’s five treatment rooms or enjoy a relaxing dip in the hot tub bubbling away beside the heated indoor pool.
Cliff Road, Salcombe, Devon
harbourhotels.co.uk
Carbis Bay Hotel
Blending historic grandeur (the main house was built in 1894) with contemporary nautically-themed touches, this is one of Cornwall’s most popular beachside destinations. Perched above its own sandy, Blue Flag beach, the 125-acre estate has a spa, a pool, offers watersports and fine dining and even has a Sunseeker yacht for hire. Want to escape the hubbub of the hotel? There are two self-catering Beach Houses with direct access to the sand for those who seek a quieter life. An activity-packed kid’s club runs during the school holidays to help keep them entertained while you try paddle boarding or stroll to nearby St Ives to wander around Tate St Ives and enjoy a lazy lunch at The Mermaid.
St Ives, Cornwall
carbisbayhotel.co.uk
Penally Abbey
This beautiful bolthole in the small village of Penally is built on the site of a former monastery and the remains of a ruined chapel can be found in its garden, which tumbles towards the sea. The 18th century property with its decorative arched windows and door frames has a pretty, almost feminine facade, behind which you will find just 11 characterful bedrooms. The interiors reflect the pretty nature of the building and there’s a cosy bar, a conservatory and dining room where the six- and 10-course taster menus are inspired by the hotel’s surroundings. Hand drawn guides in the bedrooms (families should book the top floor with its interconnecting rooms) are a lovely touch and the friendly and knowledgeable staff are always on hand to tell you all the best places to see and what not to miss.
Penally, Tenby, Pembrokshire
penally-abbey.com
The Atlantic
What started life as a ‘70s build is now sophisticated and stylish hotel sitting on a headland with sweeping views across St Ouen’s Bay and Les Mielles, famous for its wildlife. The six acres of private grounds border La Moye Golf Course and the beach is a short stroll away though the sandy dunes. The hotel is well known on the island for Ocean, the four-AA Rosette restaurant which showcases modern British cuisine using produce sourced from Jersey’s own producers. A choice of rooms means you can opt for an ocean, golf or garden view, families are well catered for with interconnected rooms and there’s plenty of space to run around in the hotel’s gardens and beside the outdoor pool, whilst art lovers will enjoy the many works of local artists displayed around the hotel. Visitors from the UK should be aware that whilst you don’t need a passport to enter Jersey most airlines do require photographic ID, so please check with them before booking.
Le Mont de la Pulente, St Brelade, Jersey
theatlantichotel.com
The Pig on The Beach
This mellow yellow-turreted house above the chalk cliffs of Studland Bay has uninterrupted views of Dorset’s sandy Jurassic coastline, and a secret path down to the beach here leads to the hotel’s very own beach huts. The rooms are a combination of pure luxury and quirky charm, some have stunning sea views whilst others look out over the surrounding Dorset landscape. For something special, book The Lookout, a two storey thatched dovecote with views over the kitchen garden and coast which comes with its own beach hut on South Beach, and treat yourselves to an hour out in the Pig’s Shepherd Hut treatment rooms. The impressive walled Kitchen Garden is where much of the hotel’s produce is homegrown and the menus can change by the day depending on what’s ready for picking here.
Manor Road, Studland, Dorset
thepighotel.com
Knockinaam Lodge
Tucked away in its own private cove near Portpatrick in the south-west corner of Scotland, this boutique hotel is the perfect peaceful seaside retreat. There are just 10 bedrooms and suites, here cleverly combining contemporary facilities with all the charm of a traditional Victorian country house. Most rooms have spectacular views over the Irish Sea just a stone’s throw from the hotel’s front door, but book into The Churchill, with its special view of the bay and cliffs, where Sir Winston Churchill stayed on his visit here. Sheltered by wooded hills, the sandy cove beckons at the end of the gardens where you’ll find the new terrace bar The Cove overlooking the sea and serving everything from roasts and grills to paella en plain air, or head to the restaurant for a five-course daily changing tasting menu under the watchful eye of head chef Tony Pierce. But whatever you do, don’t sleep in and miss breakfast here – it’s the highlight of everyone’s day.
Portpatrick, Wigtownshire, Dumfries & Galloway
knockinaamlodge.com
Blakeney Hotel
Slap bang on the picturesque quayside in one of Norfolk’s prettiest coastal villages, the privately owned Blakeney Hotel is one of those traditional hotels which can rely on a loyal clientele who return time-and-again, forever charmed by the location, the friendly staff and the gentler pace of life enjoyed here. Many of the 60 rooms have panoramic views across the estuary and the atmospheric salt marshes to Blakeney Point, as does the hotel’s restaurant, bar and terrace where dishes include locally-sourced produce wherever possible. The indoor pool and fitness area means that inclement weather won’t stop your fun, whilst boat trips, paddle boarding, cycling and sailing opportunities abound on this stretch of Norfolk’s stunning heritage coastline. Perfect for a multi-generation holiday, the hotel actively caters for all ages with luxurious family rooms (no being shoved away in the hotel’s hinterland here) but anyone wanting their own space should book the adjacent, Grade II-listed self-catering cottage which sleeps six.
They Quay, Blakeney, Holt, Norfolk
blakeney-hotel.co.uk
Beadnell Towers
This chic, welcoming (and dog-friendly) boutique hotel is in the middle of the seaside village of Beadnell, and just a short stroll away from the quaint harbour and vast sweeping sands of the bay of the same name. There are 18 individually-styled bedrooms, all designed with a laid-back, nautical feel. Favourites include Muckle Hoose with its two in-room slipper baths, and Craa’s Nest at the top of the hotel, which has windows on three sides offering stunning views. There are four dog-friendly bedrooms too which come complete with food, water bowls, and even some welcome treats, and there’s a special dog-washing area which is very handy after long sandy walks on the beach. The bar-cum-restaurant serves a robustly tempting menu, with lots of seafood making an appearance as you would expect in a beachside bolthole.
The Wynding, Beadnell, Northumberland
beadnelltowers.co.uk
Airds Hotel
The award-winning former coaching inn that is Airds Hotel sits on the shore of Loch Linnhe and looks across to the hauntingly beautiful Morvern peninsula. There are just 11 rooms here, each individually designed, some with sea views and others with their own private terrace. Although it is a traditional inn, and the wall-mounted stags’ heads remain, a recent refurb has meant the addition of unexpected contemporary touches and a much bolder, cheerful palette. Service is discreetly old school and staff will advise on everything from the weather to what to do, and will arrange activities for guests at the drop of a hat. Wellies and waterproofs at the door are there to be borrowed so guests can make the most of the hotel’s spectacular location whatever the weather, whilst indoors, the popular three-AA Rosette restaurant serves fresh seafood landed on the nearby jetty.
Port Appin, Scotland
airds-hotel.com
Raithwaite Sandsend
This seaside retreat sits between sweeping beach at Sandsend and the vast expanse of the North York moors. Couples, families, groups and four-legged friends are all welcome in the range of cosy bedrooms, which are spread across the Main House, The Hide and in Rooms by the Beck. Head to the hotel’s Restaurant and Bar 1822 to dine on fabulous local produce, including just-picked veg, the freshest seafood from Whitby, and herbs from Raithwaite’s own organic garden. If you are heading to the beach make sure to visit The Crab Shack for crab sandwiches and just-cooked fish and chips. There’s plenty to do outdoors here, including a stroll up the beach to nearby Whitby, but don’t miss Raithwaite’s airy spa, complete with heated indoor pool, steam room and sauna.
Sandsend Road, Whitby
raithwaitesandsend.co.uk
