Big Blue Hotel

On-site hotel for the Pleasure Beach hands out a real surprise – not the sell-‘em-cheap-pile-‘em-high experience you perhaps imagined but a full-on, four-star, family-friendly hotel with a real touch of designer style. Earth-toned rooms put their best contemporary foot forward, and are all really nicely turned out, though those rated deluxe also come with lounge area and fireplace, while suites add all sorts of lovely extras like suede sofas, Nespresso machines, candles by the bath and a balcony with views straight onto the roller-coaster. And while couples will like the grown-up style, families are definitely not an afterthought here – think "funky bunks" in family rooms with their own TVs and built-in Playstation consoles, and a private guest entrance to the Pleasure Beach so you can get an early start on the rides. The all-inclusive feel continues throughout the dining options too – there's a contemporary bar and brasserie with sleek lines and middling prices where children can also make their own pizzas and wraps. Oh, and it has plenty of its own parking, which is a real bonus in this town. A Big Tick for Big Blue.