Nestled along the stunning coastline of East Sussex, Eastbourne is a charming destination that offers a delightful blend of natural beauty and gastronomic delights. From elegant hotels with breathtaking views to exquisite restaurants serving culinary masterpieces, Eastbourne caters to travelers seeking both luxury and fine dining. Let's uncover the best hotels and restaurants that this coastal gem has to offer.
Top Hotels in Eastbourne
The Grand Hotel: A true icon of luxury, The Grand Hotel is a landmark that has been welcoming guests since the Victorian era. Its timeless elegance, stunning seafront location, and impeccable service make it a popular choice for travelers seeking a lavish experience. Indulge in spacious rooms, spa treatments, and panoramic views of the English Channel. If you wish to explore outside of Eastbourne, there are excellent Hotels in East Sussex near Ashdown Forest as well.
Hydro Hotel: Perched on the edge of the South Downs National Park, the Hydro Hotel offers a tranquil retreat with a touch of grandeur. Surrounded by lush gardens, this hotel boasts comfortable rooms, spa facilities, and breathtaking vistas. Enjoy a leisurely afternoon tea on the terrace overlooking the sea for an unforgettable experience.
If you prefer to have a place of your own during your stay, there's a wide variety of Vacation Apartment Rentals in Eastbourne available to choose from.
Culinary Excellence in Eastbourne:
Mirabelle Restaurant: Located within The Grand Hotel, the Mirabelle Restaurant is a gastronomic haven that showcases the finest British and European cuisine. With an emphasis on seasonal ingredients, every dish is a work of art. The elegant ambiance and attentive service create an unforgettable dining experience.
The Green Almond: For a contemporary dining experience, The Green Almond stands out as a modern bistro offering a fusion of flavors and innovative dishes. From creative vegetarian options to succulent meat choices, this restaurant appeals to diverse palates. The warm and inviting atmosphere adds to the charm of the dining experience.
If you want to explore more accommodation options across the UK, feel free to find more UK hotels on tophotels.com.
Exploring Eastbourne's Attractions
Cultural Delights:
After indulging in the culinary delights of Eastbourne, explore its cultural attractions. Visit the Towner Art Gallery to admire contemporary artworks or take a stroll along the iconic Eastbourne Pier for stunning sea views.
Natural Wonders:
Immerse yourself in the beauty of Eastbourne's natural landscapes by exploring the Beachy Head cliffs or enjoying a leisurely walk through the manicured gardens of Helen Garden.
Eastbourne offers a luxurious escape where comfort, beauty, and exceptional dining combine to create an unforgettable experience. Whether you're savoring gourmet creations at renowned restaurants or enjoying the elegance of upscale hotels, Eastbourne invites you to indulge in its splendor. Discover the perfect balance of relaxation and sophistication in this coastal haven on the shores of East Sussex.
Unveiling the Artistry of Eastbourne's Remodelled Port Hotel
Over time, Eastbourne has been meticulously evolving into a modern artistic hub. This journey of reshaping all began in 2009 with the reinvention of its leading art establishment, the Towner gallery. Currently, this architectural masterpiece forms the backbone of the town's arts scene, housing one of the largest collections found along the southern coast. The Tate in St Ives and Margate’s Turner Contemporary are testament to the power of visual arts in rejuvenating coastal towns, and Eastbourne is treading a similar path. The town is swiftly shaking off its old reputation of being merely a haven for retirees, with newer demographics including families priced out of nearby Brighton marking their territory. Currently, with more residents opting for domestic holidays due to the pandemic, it's fair to say Eastbourne is truly undergoing a renaissance.
My Eastbourne experience commences at its oldest artsy hotspot, Beachy Head. This remarkable chalk headland where the South Downs seamlessly dives into the sea has been an unmissable muse for poets and artists throughout the centuries. Nowadays, it's a magnet for cyclists, birdwatchers, and nature enthusiasts. Even though light rain drizzles down upon my arrival, I can still hear the whistling wind piercing my ears. In the same spirit, I notice a number of walking enthusiasts who take in the beauty of the scenic cliffs, silhouetted trees, and the red-and-white lighthouse. They venture forth unfazed, snapping pictures with the picturesque Seven Sisters cliffs in the backdrop, just a short stretch towards the west.
The one-hour stroll from Beachy Head to Eastbourne delivers breathtaking views of the charming town and the Downs. Although we opt to drive back into town, the majestic Victorian hotels lining the five-mile promenade leave an indelible impression. We pass the bandstand, a beautifully preserved historical site with a capacity of 1,600, which will be welcoming guests to evening tribute shows from 22 July. The journey wouldn't be complete without a glimpse of the extraordinary pleasure pier. Extending from the pebbly beach, it stands commanding with its gold-domed pavilion glistening in the sunlight. Once home to a nightclub until 2018, it still holds a symbolic place in Eastbourne's evolving history.
Port Hotel's bold black exterior took the local debate stage by storm, prompting conversations across the community.
Amidst a picturesque parade, families are found congregating near the playful amusement arcade. Simultaneously, groups of friends explore the vast array of street food stalls. The town's lively buzz is soothingly interjected by an aura of spacious tranquility. Eastbourne, although larger than several other art-inspired coastal towns, doesn't share the feverish frenzy of party capitals like Brighton and Bournemouth. It seems to flawlessly balance its crowd appeal with developing opportunities, making this town unique in its openness to both visitors and growth.
This unique blend of art, city-life vibe, and seaside charm is the heart of Peter Cadwallader’s vision for Port. His goal - to lure the hip urbanites to the coastal delight of Eastbourne - a feature he identified as lacking in the town's ambiance. He doesn't shy away from his desire to see the replication of this model by other hospitality businesses, a testament to his belief in the potential of this refreshed take on accommodation.
The hotel's commitment to sustainability is displayed loud and clear in its operations and amenities. The property features cork floors and offers Faith in Nature's eco-friendly products. Moreover, a 30-mile radius forms the boundary for ingredient sourcing, emphasizing a smaller carbon footprint. They also employ technology in promoting sustainability by running room service via WhatsApp. Among its 19 rooms, five boast coveted seaside views. These include the "apartment", an opulent suite that affords its guests a sea-viewing bath experience. Even in our compact "town" room, meticulous design ensures an air of spacious comfort. Prioritizing sustainability, it boasts features like a clothing rail replacing the traditional wardrobe and an on-request milk service to avoid wastage. Even with the addition of a workspace, a Nespresso machine, and a TV ready for a Netflix binge, the room manages to maintain its spacious allure.
There's a purposeful and stylish simplicity to the rooms, designed with a keen focus on sustainability. Port definitely knows their way around a menu, as evidenced by the crowd during dinner. We indulged in a variety of shared dishes, among them a smoked barbecued mullet offset beautifully by a tangy yet sweet red pepper salsa and a delightful coupling of asparagus and capers complemented with a tart note from preserved lemons. The worthy finale to our fabulous meal was the almond and blood orange financier, a sublime dessert perfect in its companionship with a Burwash rose cheese sourced locally from Sussex's High Weald. This scrumptious delicacy, like our splendid brunch of duck royale – a superlative composition of confit duck leg and egg served atop a waffle, graced numerous Instagram pages. The bustling seaside drinking platform was a crowd-pleaser until the onset of rain.
In the beatific backdrop of quaint antique shops and enterprising craft vendors behind the splendid Grand Hotel, we found Levels – a delightful fusion of a bottle shop and tasting room. Here, we tested a spirited English sparkling wine, a testament to Rathfinny Estate's nearby expansive vineyards, distinguished by its distinctive crisp apple notes. Interestingly, Levels seems a bit detached from Eastbourne's thriving independent drinking circle predominant in Little Chelsea, situated a tad away from the sea, close to the station.
Little Chelsea dons an equally exciting appearance with its bevy of craft beer outlets matched by chic coffee shops and intriguing curio joints. Bookworms will find Camilla's simply irresistible – a shop specializing in rare and age-old books where neat piles of engaging reads are an invitation to lose oneself. Equally enchanting is the Chelsea Antiques Emporium – an unevenly arranged domain that houses a multitude of artifacts, each with its own history, waiting to be shared with an eager audience. A rather inviting phrase on the entrance reads “Time wasters welcome”, reflecting the quintessentially relaxed pace of Eastbourne.
Behold the magnificence of the Towner Eastbourne's façade, adorned by a masterpiece of German muralist Lother Götz's. Credit: Marc Atkins/PA
Your exploratory journey to Eastbourne would undoubtedly seem incomplete without heading to its priceless gem, the Towner Art Gallery. This destination offers a perfect balance – large enough to validate your trip yet small enough to ensure you tour every nook and cranny – and boasts of exhibitions by acclaimed artists like David Hockney. Visitors can presently admire the works of the esteemed feminist group, Guerilla Girls (on exhibition until 18 July). Its vibrant front-side, displaying an artwork by Götz, will truly captivate you.
I resonate with Eric Ravilious' compelling graphic art – Eastbourne's counterpart to Margate's JMW Turner – as I get acquainted with Mariana Castillo Deball's assortment of archival works that perfectly mirror the local scenery. The white cliff faces, the mesmerising turquoise waves and the verdant, golden fields, brilliantly portrayed in a multitude of visionary ways serve as a perpetual testament to the allure of this region.
As dusk descends, it's time for me to retreat. I follow the picturesque A-roads as far as possible, deeply cherishing the closing moments of an unforgettable pastoral spectacle. But, it's with a heavy heart that I bid adieu to the stunning vistas of the Downs, and to Eastbourne, a seaside hamlet with a promising future.
