5 Amazing UK coastal hotels
Beachside stays in the south of England and Wales.
With the weather heating up, escaping to the coast to feel the sea breeze and sand beneath your toes probably feels pretty appealing right now. These gorgeous hotels sit right on the beach, in southern areas of the UK, for top weather and pristine beaches – with rooms with sea views and immediate access to costal walks.
PICTURED ABOVE: Thurlestone Hotel | Thurlestone Hotel/PA
Thurlestone Hotel, Devon
Marking 130 years under the same family ownership this year, The Thurlestone Hotel in Devon’s South Hams offers impressive views out to the sea. The four-star is on the doorstep of the National Trust property South Milton Sands, a wide golden beach with rock pools, with access to South Milton Ley Nature Reserve for amazing birdlife. Hikers can take the South West Coast Path towards Hope Cove and Bantham for cliff-top views of the arch of Thurlestone Rock.
Hotel guests will find a spa, tennis courts, indoor and outdoor swimming pools, a nine-hole golf course, kids’ club and gardens.
How to book: Rooms at the Thurlestone Hotel start from £230, including breakfast.
Watergate Bay Hotel, Cornwall
Set directly on a two-mile stretch of sand, this contemporary coastal escape is the epitome of laid-back beach living, a few miles outside Newquay. Think dramatic cliffs, beach walks, surfing and dining with an ocean view.
The hotel’s spectacular indoor pool, with floor-to-ceiling windows, allows guests to watch surfers catching waves while taking a dip – and there’s a clifftop hot tub.
Perfect for families, there are special beach lofts and large family suites – as well as an Ofsted-registered kids’ club. Meanwhile grown-ups can take part in beach yoga, lawn games, surf lessons or a Land Rover Discovery experience.
Summer sees a series of ‘beach feast’ events taking place in June and July, with long tables set up on the sand, live music playing and food.
How to book: Rooms at Watergate Bay Hotel start from £295, including breakfast.
The Grand, Brighton
The iconic Victorian landmark on Brighton’s seafront, The Grand has seen a lot since it opened in 1864, surviving wartime occupation and a devastating political bombing in the Eighties. It was also, famously, the first place to have a hydraulic lift outside London and where the band ABBA stayed in 1974 after winning Eurovision.
These days the historic hotel is enjoying a £17 million renovation, with new suites and a spa, as well the Cyan restaurant with views from the conservatory to the sea, and the chic Victoria Bar & Lounge, all in keeping with Victorian style with more than a touch of modern luxury.
With the beach-side city, full of independent shops and a buzzing restaurant and bar scene, right on the doorstep, guests are also spoiled for choice for things to do.
How to book: Rooms at The Grand start from £150, including breakfast.
The Alexandra Hotel, Lyme Regis
This West Dorset spot provides an elegant seaside retreat overlooking the Jurassic Coast – the only natural UNESCO listing in England. The 125-year-old boutique-style Alexandra Hotel is located right on the shore, its huge garden providing sweeping sea views, while the town’s independent shops and cafes are within walking distance.
Imagine morning coffees on the terrace and coastal walks straight from your door.
Lyme Regis itself is renowned for its historic 13th-century harbour, sandy beaches, and fossil-rich cliffs. Check off the rock-pooling at Monmouth Beach and the start of the new for 2026 Great Chalk Way – a trial for walking and cycling running over 400 miles from Lyme Regis to the North Norfolk coast.
How to book: Prices at the Alexandra Hotel start from £215, including breakfast.
St Brides Spa Hotel, Pembrokeshire
Perched on a hill side above the compact but charming coastal town of Saundersfoot, St Brides Spa Hotel is somewhat of a local landmark in this corner of Wales. The award-winning spa’s open-air infinity pool gives guests sweeping views of Saundersfoot Harbour, blue flag beach and bay. With 34 bedrooms and six self-catering apartments, it was named The AA Hotel of the Year for Wales in 2025 and comes with a 2 AA Rosette Awarded eatery, The Cliff Restaurant.
Set in the Pembrokeshire Coastal National Park, it’s also perfectly located for a spectacular coastal walk to the picturesque town of Tenby, where more blue-flag beaches and postcard-worthy Welsh views await.
How to book: Rooms at St Brides Spa Hotel start from £199, including breakfast.
Words by Lauren Taylor, Features and Travel Editor, PA
