Our bumper guide to the very best seaside hotels in the UK: Where to stay in the top coastal counties, from private islands to pubs with rooms (and some for less than £100 a night!)

It’s all about traditional luxury at Toby Ashworth’s Edwardian country house in subtropical gardens by Carne Bay.

The coastal views from some of the rooms, tennis court and pool are sublime; there are beach huts to enjoy, boats to book, a hot tub to wallow in and a five-course feast of a dinner.

A cluster of houses by the seaside in picturesque St Mawes in Cornwall, this hotel is located in a converted yachtsmen’s club.

Olga Polizzi, sister of hotelier Sir Rocco Forte, opened the five star Tresanton Hotel in the village in 1999 and launched a wave of development in the region.

From yachtsmen’s club to charming seaside hotel, Olga transformed this pretty group of homes into comfortable guest rooms and reception rooms.

At coastal destinations such as Burgh Island Hotel, the Mermaid Pool offers a natural seawater swimming experience shaped by its island environment.

Cold water, coastal air, tidal movement and a stronger connection to landscape are the key features here.

You’ll need to book a stay at the hotel to try out this refreshing alternative to a chlorine-filled indoor pool.

In gorgeous Babbacombe Bay, this hotel could easily be a movie set, with unspoilt landscapes combined with an ocean-facing spa, chic dining and intimate cottages.

For a truly immersive stay, check out the hotel’s beach huts, luxurious two-person hideaways that will give you a real break from reality.

Bournemouth isn’t the number one spot in the UK for beach hotels – or at least it wasn’t, until the arrival of The Nici.

The premier luxury hotel has been described as having a ‘Miami vibe’, with its glamorous pool, modern furnishings and even a private cinema.

Want a tropical vacation without a long-haul flight? This is the place for you.

England’s Jurassic Coast is known for its dramatic scenery and popular seaside destinations, drawing millions of visitors every year. 

Studland Bay is often described as a ‘hidden paradise’ – and is home to THE PIG-on the beach, a rural retreat of dreams.

Camber Sands is a favourite among Brits seeking a quiet coastal vacation – and staying at the Gallivant would ensure that goal is met.

Harry’s, the hotel’s restaurant, was even named one of the UK’s great restaurants outside London for 2025 by food guru Grace Dent.

Few stays are as unique as lighthouse retreats – and this one even calls itself ‘Britain’s most dramatic.’

Built in 1832 and beautifully restored, the lighthouse offers views of the English Channel, the Seven Sisters, and rolling countryside.

Rooms offer a sanctuary with expansive views – a real treat, with a price tag to match.

Roslin Beach Hotel is regularly ranked as Essex’s best beach hotel, and for good reason.

A far cry from the sunburnt shoulders and screaming children of other parts of Southend-on-Sea, the hotel offers stellar dining, lavish interiors and a great terrace from which to enjoy a Sangria.

Located above the cliffs of Barton-on-Sea , Pebble Beach has views across the Isle of Wight to die for.

The restaurant places British ingredients and locally sourced seafood at the heart of it all – a must-visit for any foodies.

If you’re a fan of a historic pub hotel, this one’s for you.

Situated by Emsworth’s picturesque streets and local harbour, it’s a seaside retreat with a cosy, down-to-earth feel.

Rooms are comfortable, with a terracotta colour palate that adds a sense of character.

This family-run retreat keeps the sea in view at all times: exactly what you’d want if you’ve headed to the coast.

Enjoy the pools, gardens, afternoon teas, balconies, terraces and family-friendly activities on offer.

A 17th-century townhouse on the water’s edge between the castle and pier in the bustling harbour town of Yarmouth on the Isle of Wight, The George is a premium spot to book.

Its beachfront garden is the crown jewel – sea views without the faff of sand!

In recent times, Margate has become effortlessly cool – synonymous with young professionals seeking a better work-life balance.

Few hotels in the region have as charming an appeal as No. 42 by Guesthouse, with its bohemian vibe, oyster bar and local artwork on display.

As far as boutique beach stays go, this is an exceptional choice,

The Georgian heritage is on display, but it’s not without modern amenities.

It was once a royal seaside residence for the young Queen Victoria – surely there’s no better judge than her?

Overlooking the award-winning Gorleston beach is The Cliff Hotel, a great spot in Great Yarmouth, which is currently undergoing a tourism revival.

Enjoy views of the sea from the terrace, before taking a stroll through the immaculate hotel gardens.

Since its establishment in 1790, The Ship in Brancaster has been through much development. It has now been reopened as a foodie pub, with nine rooms to stay in.

The Ship is near magnificent Brancaster Beach and the North Norfolk Coast.

The restaurant’s food is rooted in modern British gastropub cooking with Mediterranean influences, and relies on Norfolk’s local produce.

The Suffolk, with just six bedrooms, is boutique hotelry at its finest.

The food is noteworthy, too, with a focus on seafood, and cocktails at the bar include such concoctions as the Seabuckthorn Margarita or the Oyster Martini.

The beach itself, with its pebbles and fisherman’s huts, makes it a typical UK coastal spot.

Quiet Walberswick Beach in Suffolk, close to a nature reserve, maintains a natural atmosphere with its combination of sand and shingle dunes. 

Where to stay in the area? The Salthouse Harbour Hotel and Spa, from £168 per night. 

Spread across three historic buildings, this harbour-side hotel combines a definitively nautical charm with modern interiors.

Expect metal bathtubs, blue colours everywhere you look and scenic views of the boats from your window.

There’s also self-catering rooms available, in a pink cottage and Lilac House.

Inside a listed Victorian terrace overlooking Cardigan Bay, settle into a plush green sofa in this hotel.

Gwesty Cymru Hotel features woven tiles alongside stone walls – but with modern finishings.

Try local cuisine at the Baravin restaurant, which serves seafood, pizza, burgers, pasta, craft beer, cocktails and wine.

The Kinmel Arms Hotel Conwy is known for its food – and has racked up many awards over the years for that as well as its spa.

‘You cannot fail to be impressed with this beautiful old inn from the outside,’ one visitor wrote, adding: ‘The inside is just as impressive. Total history. The menu choice was fantastic and each course and each dish was very impressive and tasty.’

Spa hunters, pay attention!

North Wales’ popular four-star The Quay Hotel & Spa, located in the prestigious Deganwy Marina in Conwy, is perfect for its waterside location.

If you’re seeking a blissful break, check out the hotel’s wellness facilities, encompassing everything from pools and massages to Himalayan salt -infused air.

Simple and budget-friendly, The Beaches Hotel and Spa provides spa escapes on the coast.

Sandy Barkby Beach is just on the doorstep – but if you’re more poolside-inclined, there’s an indoor heated option here too.

Portmeirion’s flagship four-star hotel is recognisable for a reason.

It retains its historic air, including everything from an intricate Italian fireplace, the grand Mirror Room, the library carvings from the Great Exhibition of 1851 and a grand eighteenth-century oak staircase.

There are just 14 bedrooms, adding to the ambience of exclusivity at this establishment.

Penmaenuchaf hotel, a stone-fronted Victorian mansion house in Snowdonia, is an independent hotel with flair.

Its landscape is magnificent, a real reason to visit, and the hotel is situated within 21 acres of land.

The gardens at Penmaenuchaf are part of the appeal too, with a sunken ornamental garden, lavender beds, daffodils and azaleas.

A gothic-revival country house just moments from the beach? Count us in.

It’s no surprise visitors have flocked to this Pembrokeshire hotel for years – it even won Best Hotel in Wales 2024.

Antique-filled rooms, a family feel and ornate furnishings finish off the property with flair.

A white building perched on the edge of Carmarthen Bay, St Brides delivers an excellent spa amid fresh sea air.

You can watch the tide come in from the heated hydrotherapy pool, before heading off to explore a soothing series of thermal cabins.

The hotel has a range of spa days on offer, including facials, massages and lunch in the Cliff Restaurant, with its wraparound ocean views.

Trump MacLeod House & Lodge, right in the centre of the historic estate, is part of Trump® International Scotland – and is, naturally, a five-star stay.

‘Old money’ is perhaps the best way to describe this hotel. It features everything from secret stairways to traditional log fires, in an 18-bedroom Scottish baronial mansion.

A special, regal stay – with a price tag to match.

The four-star hotel, which is part of the Crerar Hotels Collection, is an ideal base from which to explore Scotland’s dynamic West Coast.

Outside, the main event is the shore line.

But inside, the coastal colours, warm woods and relaxing spa create a safe haven.

The quiet village of Port Appin is where you’ll find The Pierhouse, on the shores of Loch Linnhe in Argyll.

With 12 rooms facing either the sea or cliffs , you’ll get your rest – before partaking in some of the activities on offer in the area, from kayaking to electric biking.

The food has also racked up rave reviews, with Condé Nast Traveller writing: ‘Pierhouse in nearby Port Appin is perfection; the most joyous moment being the menu of shellfish wizardry.’

Knockinaam Lodge Hotel & Restaurant is a 19th century country house hotel overlooking the Port of Spittal Bay.

The hotel also has fantastic beaches nearby, and Stranraer Watersports Association offers paddle board hire, kayaking, powerboating, sailing and coastal rowing.

Indulge in afternoon tea, a perfect blend of tradition and taste, an ideal way to spend a leisurely afternoon.

Another lighthouse – this time at Scotland’s most southerly point – is a great place to visit on a holiday.

Seclusion is the order of the day here, and with self-catering facilities it’s great for anyone seeking freedom and flexibility.

You’ll be houses in former residences, such as the former principle keeper’s cottage.

Considered a local landmark, Seaton House, St Andrews is the place to be if you’re visiting for a golfing retreat.

You’re just minutes from the sea, and can opt for an ocean view room if you wish.

Or, of course, a suite overlooking the renowned Old Course – golf and sea blended with style.

Elie, in Fife, is home to The Ship Inn, a beachfront pub with rooms.

It’s an ideal base from which to explore Elie Bay, and you can select from a choice of six rooms.

Watching cricket is a popular pastime here – so give it a whirl.

The Raasay Distillery, situated on the Isle of Raasay, is the only place in Scotland where you can stay in the same building as a working distillery.

There are new cabins to stay in, providing magnificent views of the Hebrides.

And there are bespoke tours and tasting experiences to try here, from the distillery, to warehouse and even chocolate tours.

The Highland Club’s luxury self-catering apartments are great for vacations in this magnificent part of the world.

Near the Loch Ness, you can enjoy the shores – or use this as a starting point for a road trip across the Highlands, visiting the coast along the way. 

With greenery behind it and vast blue waters in front, Ballygally Castle is the best of coastal resorts.

Originally built in 1625, Ballygally Castle is Northern Ireland’s only 17th-century castle still in use as a residence – and you can stay in one of its 54 bedrooms.

This eco-conscious hotel has a real focus on the local natural environment – whether that’s fresh ingredients from local fields, or a spa drawing on peaceful surroundings.

 Cosy rooms have a romantic feel, powered by on-site wind turbine and solar panels. 

Slieve Donard is a historical hotel at its finest.

Wooden interiors, elegant chandeliers and a Victorian style make this hotel a real journey back in time.

 It’s been described as ‘stunning,’ ‘superb’ and ‘beautiful’, in case you needed more convincing. 

This cheerful, family-friendly hotel in Portrush is close to the Giants Causeway, Royal Portrush Golf Club and beach.

‘The staff were so welcoming, our room was spacious, comfortable and nicely decorated and the whole experience really helped us to switch off after a stressful year,’ one visitor wrote.

Near the coast, you’ll find Larkhill house, a B&B at great prices.

 One review read: ‘Tremendous location, cleanliness and what it offered a family of five!!

‘Very highly recommended!’