The UK’s best seaside hotels 2023: From chic coastal houses to rural retreats

Pre Covid, holidays for Brits often meant flying to foreign climes for a taste of sun, sea and sand. But with the cost-of-living crisis hot on the heels of the pandemic, plenty of travellers are reconsidering their holiday habits and looking within the UK for their next trip.

Fortunately, our fair isle is blessed with fabulous bays that are so idyllic they look like they belong in the Med. In fact, Britain has a wealth of Blue Flag beaches to enjoy.

From England’s sandy coastlines to Wales’s rugged cliffs, there’s nowhere quite like a British beach – in all its sticks-of-rock, wind-in-the-hair, sandy-sandwich glory.

As for where to stay, our little island has plenty of great options along every coast – whether you’re after a fun family holiday, a dog-friendly pad or a rural romantic bolthole. Here, Jane Knight from The Good Hotel Guide picks Britain’s best seaside hotels.

South Sands

Location: Salcombe, Devon

Stay just steps away from a sheltered beach at this smart, contemporary hotel. Head out on a boat, take the sea tractor linking South Sands to quaint Salcombe, or just relax in the sun.

When you’re hungry, there’s something for everyone – from a Devon crab sandwich or cream tea on the terrace to tapas or a three-course meal.

Rooms are decked out in nautical colours – the best has a Caesar-size bed, its own balcony and two slipper baths in a bay window, perfect for admiring the sea view.

Hotel Portmeirion

Location: Portmeirion, Gwynedd