7 Best Beach Hotels in the UK

When you think of beach hotels, you might not think of the UK. But there are some truly beautiful, unspoilt areas of the British Isles that would tempt even the most dedicated Spain-holidaymaker. Swap the sangria for a jug of Pimm’s and lean into the unpretentious beauty of a UK holiday, where the water is cold, but the fish and chips are warm. Here are the 7 best beach hotels in the UK.

Best Beach Hotels in the UK, How do these rankings work?

1. The Nici – Bournemouth, England

Be transported to Miami’s South Beach in this art deco, retro hotel. We love the youthful, playful vibe of the Nici, with poolside cabanas, a shiny terrace with tassel parasols and bright tiles, and vibrant patterns aplenty. It’s hard to be in a bad mood here, even if the weather is gloomy. And in that (quite likely) instance, guests can take a break from the beach club (yes, there’s a beach club) and spend a rainy day in the cinema room. They’ve done a great job of modelling Miami resorts, with all the bells and whistles to make every guest experience special – guests can hire paddleboards, kayaks, and cute retro bikes. There’s even a kids’ club during the summer holidays for the little ones, as well as a games room, outdoor ping-pong table, and plenty of garden games.

Location-wise, the hotel sits atop a cliff, overlooking Bournemouth Beach – the golden sands are just a five-minute stroll away. Fancy a picnic on the beach? The above-and-beyond Nici team will even pack a picnic for you. The staff are determined to give you a good time here – whether that’s in the shape of a carafe of their signature cocktail or a good night’s sleep in one of the huge, comfortable rooms.

2. Carbis Bay and Spa Hotel – St Ives, England

The location of this hotel is nothing short of spectacular. Carbis Bay and Spa Hotel is perched above its own golden Blue Flag beach – a haven for sand and sea lovers. Some rooms are even on the beach – there are few things more relaxing than falling asleep to the sound of the sea lapping onto the sand. These self-catering beach huts are ideal for families, while couples might prefer the Deluxe Rooms in the main building with floor-to-ceiling windows, freestanding bathtubs, and seafront balconies.

The seaside location is well and truly taken advantage of with a chic beach club, serving up lobsters for lunch. Dinner can be more of a formal affair at the fine-dining Sands hotel restaurant, which boasts two AA rosettes.

The beach is arguably the main attraction of this hotel, but what if you’re more of a pool fan? Not to worry – guests can cool off from the Cornish sun in the infinity pool, with the blue-green sea stretching far into the distance. Cloudy days are the perfect opportunity to make use of the C-Bay Spa, complete with an indoor heated pool and tranquil treatment rooms.

3. Tolcarne Beach Colonial Restaurant and Rooms – Newquay, England

For the ultimate foodie bolthole, a restaurant with rooms is the way to go. This boutique hotel has put a lot of effort into both of those areas, with individual, unique rooms that go way beyond what is expected of a standard hotel. Each room is decorated in line with a theme – the theme is determined by certain pieces that the owner’s family have picked up on their global adventures. There are Moroccan rugs, antique record players, and woven chairs that set the tone for this stylised and chic hotel. But no matter how beautiful the rooms are, your eyes are immediately drawn to the view. Sitting right on Tolcarne Beach, the rooms benefit from sublime sea scenery – picture cosy mornings in bed with the terrace doors swung open and the sea breeze billowing in.

After sharing a bottle of wine on the beach at sunset, guests can take advantage of having a world-class restaurant on their doorstep. Newquay is famous for its seafood, so you can expect the best of the best here. The friendly team are more than happy to offer suggestions, but the garlic butter lobster is always a safe bet – there are few things that feel more ‘holiday-ish’ than tucking into fresh seafood at a beachfront restaurant.

4. Slieve Donard Resort and Spa Hotel – Newcastle, Northern Ireland

This grand mansion might be different from usual sunny beach hotels, but the magic can be found all year-round here. Built in 1897, Slieve Donard is supremely impressive, full of old-school charm, atmospheric fireplaces, and vintage touches. The main Oak Restaurant is the centrepiece of this grandeur, with candles lighting up the dark wooden room and the meals rich in Irish heritage and taste. And with an excellent ESPA spa, complete an indoor heated pool, a huge hot tub, saunas, a gym, and superb treatments, it’d be easy to never leave the opulent yet cosy confines of the hotel walls. But beyond the Baronial-style hotel is some of the most spectacular scenery in all Northern Ireland.

With the beach to one side and Mourne Mountains to another, the location is hard to beat. The wild Atlantic Ocean is mesmerising to look at, regardless of whether guests brave the cold temperatures for a dip or not. Morning beach strolls are the perfect wake-up call, after the complimentary buffet breakfast, that is. There’s also a world-class golf course and two tennis courts, should you fancy a game.

5. Lodge on the Loch – Luss, Scotland

Sitting on a quiet sandy cove of Loch Lomond, this beachfront hotel is fantastic. The views across one of the most famous lochs in Scotland can be seen throughout the hotel, thanks to plenty of floor-to-ceiling windows, from the bright restaurant to the rooms. Most rooms have a balcony to soak up the beautiful scenery – best enjoyed with a glass of crisp wine in hand, or a local whisky to immerse yourself in the Scottish energy. And if that doesn’t do it, the tartan carpets and paintings of kilt-wearing men will.

Taste the local fare in Colquhoun’s, the hotel restaurant. The skilled kitchen has taken inspiration from the surroundings with dishes using local roe deer, crab, and smoked salmon cured in the Luss Smoke House. And there are crowd-pleasing classics too – think burgers and chips done very well. And when nearly every table gets a loch-facing view, every bite feels special.

6. The Cary Arms – Devon, England

This hotel is like something from the Hamptons – stylish and luxurious, with attentive staff and dreamy sea views. The hotel sits on rocks, close to the bustling Torquay but nestled into a private, quiet cove, overlooking the unspoilt Babbacombe Beach. Fall asleep to the sounds of waves washing up onto the rocks below and wake up a view of the blue-green English Riviera. No need to get in line for a sea view room – they’re all sea view rooms.

The staff are professional, helpful, and have brilliant knowledge of the area. They contribute to making the Cary Arms one of the best beach hotels in the UK, committed to making sure every guest receives a personalised and special experience. The high level of attention is felt throughout the hotel – particularly in the rooms. There’s complimentary sloe gin, tea, and coffee, as well as the White Company toiletries and voice-activated speakers.

7. Golden Sands Hotel – St Brelade, Jersey, Channel Islands

If you can make the journey over to Jersey, you’re in for a treat. With miles of golden coastline and its proximity to the (slightly warmer) France, it’s a slice of the Mediterranean in the UK. And this hotel, aptly named Golden Sands, makes the most of it. It’s hard to beat the location, set above St Brelade’s Bay. Most of the rooms have a suntrap balcony overlooking the sea, dotted with kite surfers and jet skis. But if you miss out on a sea view room, the rooms on the rear of the building have a good view of the lush green cliff behind too.

This is a holiday hotel, only open between April and October, and guests are definitely given the special holiday treatment here. The staff are helpful and friendly, catering to individual preferences as much as possible. There are beach toys available to use for both the children and grownups, including fishing nets, cricket bats, and bucket and spades. Ramp up the British holiday vibe by ordering a jug of Pimm’s, a plate of fish and chips, and taking in the view from the boardwalk.