We've got a great idea for summer – head to England's southwest, Devon, Dorset and Cornwall, and stay a while in some of our favourite seaside hotels. Here's a round dozen of the best places to be beside the seaside in the sunny southwest!
Pollurrian Bay Hotel - Mullion, Cornwall
Set in stunning gardens on the cliff tops of the Lizard Peninsula, here you'll find a haven of luxury - offering everything you need to keep the entire family happy.
Urban Beach - Bournemouth, Dorset
A friendly, buzzy boutique-style hotel just a few minutes’ walk from the beach at Boscombe, plus the Urban Beach Bar beneath serves a mean cocktail.
St Ives Hotel & Spa - St Ives, Cornwall
This swanky and rather posh St Ives offering exudes the kind of seaside chic that’s becoming synonymous with Cornwall: contemporary colour schemes, driftwood trimmings and bold wallpapers and of course, all important sea views.
Burgh Island Hotel - Bigbury-on-Sea, Devon
This is not so much a coastal hotel as a destination in its own right, an event and an opportunity to enjoy a highly unusual and unique weekend break on an art deco island hotel - which can boast amongst its past guests Agatha Christie and Noel Coward.
The Scarlet - Mawgan Porth, Cornwall
This stunning eco hotel has been hot news on the UK’s accommodation front since it opened in 2009. An adults-only (yet pet-friendly) zone, this sustainable building blends in with the coastal environment and makes the very best of its views.
Miramar Hotel - Bournemouth, Dorset
JRR Tolkien was a regular here, staying in the same room every year for 30 years - and when you see this stunning hotel set in beautiful gardens on a clifftop, you'll understand why. Make sure you bag a room at the front with a balcony overlooking the sea.
Saunton Sands Hotel - Braunton, Devon
This family-friendly four star hotel must have one of the best beach views in the UK - the gorgeous, wide and long expansive stretch of Saunton beach and its dunes are visible from all the public spaces, from the expansive outdoor terrace and pool area and many of the rooms.
Cliff House Hotel - Bournemouth, Dorset
OK, so it's not exactly on the cliffs, but we can forgive this charming boutiquey bolt hole this minor lapse as it is, after all, barely a minute's walk from the excellent local beach.
Watergate bay Hotel - Newquay, Cornwall
An extension of the relaxing beach life bang on the doorstep, the Watergate Bay Hotel invites you straight off the sand into stylish accommodation, and all the beach activities you could dream up can be arranged at the click of your fingers.
South Sands Hotel - Salcombe, Devon
A sassy, nautical-style hotel right on the beach, which has brought a much-needed bit of boutique class to the Salcombe seaside experience. The hotel's vibrant Beachside Restaurant is the star of the show - but be sure to book dinner ahead, even if you are staying here.
Alexandra Hotel - Lyme Regis, West Dorset
This lovely 18th-century manor house is the pick of the places to stay in Lyme Regis, sitting on a clifftop with stunning sea views, but just a couple of minutes’ walk from the bustling town centre.
The Cricket Inn - Kingsbridge, Devon
This was once a quaint old fishing inn but is now a light and spacious gastro pub specialising in fresh fish and other locally sourced dishes. Better still, they also offer a selection of seven rooms to stay in – five of which have jaw-achingly beautiful views of nearby Start Bay.
