Eastbourne’s Victorian architecture offers typical British seaside charm. The long shingle beach is backed by the perfect promenade for strolling, and punctuated by a traditional pier. At one end there’s a huge crazy golf park, at the other end is an elegant water view restaurant. And just beyond the edge of town are the famous white cliffs of Sussex. Our pick of the best places to stay in Eastbourne make the most of the views and heritage, owning the dating style and fading pastels, and reminding visitors of bygone days of seaside pleasure.

It could be that you fancy Eastbourne for its location, sailing or golf clubs, or sleepy reputation, but many folk end up here because it’s close to Brighton — and a lot less expensive! But Eastbourne is not an annex of Brighton’s bohemian charms. It has an excellent contemporary art gallery, and a pier with quintessential arcade games, but the atmosphere is much more relaxed port town.

Opting to stay in one of the best places to stay in Eastbourne puts you close to the Sussex Downs, the High Weald Area of Natural Beauty, and many scenic coastal trails. It's the perfect base for a visit to Glyndebourne for the opera season, the gardens of Sissinghurst and Great Dixter, and historic Herstmonceux Castle. You need a car to get to these, but not to Eastbourne’s own Napoleon-era Redoubt Fortress, or to the Wednesday Eastbourne Borough Market. Eastbourne also has a number of theatres, including the original one, which is cut into the cliff and has spectacular ocean views.

The Best Places to Stay in Eastbourne

For Ocean Views

• The Port Hotel is beautifully styled, with an air for minimalism which also allows for cosy touches, like Gubi Beetle chairs, linen drapes, dried flowers, and an elegant collection of lamps. And all in shades of warm wood. There are 19 rooms and suites, plus a relaxed bar and restaurant downstairs. We like the cork-tiled floors, and collection of local gins and Sussex wines. The restaurant specialises in local produce. If you can, book one of the six rooms at the front of the hotel, where there are wonderful sea views. Great value.
• The Grand Hotel is probably Eastbourne’s most famous, also often referred to as ‘Eastbourne’s White Palace’, for its large, traditional and striking white facade, which runs parallel to the beach. All of the rooms and suites at the front of the hotel have wonderful views. There are also some excellent options for families, and some very fancy rooms too. You would expect a hotel of this size, and reputation to have an impressive range of facilities, and you won’t be disappointed: there’s an impressive spa, indoor and outdoor pools, a piano bar, great afternoon tea salon, bar and restaurant, terraces, and a children’s room. The service is excellent, and includes the option of complimentary warm milk and cookies before bedtime.

For an Eastbourne Escape

• Ocklynge Manor is a picture perfect, 18th Century Georgian house, sitting in its own mature and gloriously fragrant walled garden. It has just three guest rooms, all of them individually decorated, but in a fitting style for the building’s period. The sash windows overlook the gardens, and there’s just the right amount of chintz. Breakfasts feature homemade bread and marmalade. You’re close to the beach, a tennis club, a golf club, sailing clubs, Glyndebourne, Sissinghurst and Great Dixter. As well as Eastbourne.

Prefer a Private Apartment or Cottage?

• If you'd prefer the privacy of a self-catering option then browse through the wide variety available online with our partner, Booking.com.

Travel Information

• London’s airports are the best for Eastbourne. Gatwick Airport is closest, just under an hour away by direct train. Heathrow is on the wrong side of London, and you have to go though the centre if you’re travelling by train, so the journey is around two and a half hours. If you’re coming through London, trains leave from Victoria Station around every half hour, for a journey that takes about an hour and a half.
• If you want to hire a car we recommend you visit our online partner, Rentalcars.
• This is the UK, so expect changeable weather whatever the season. Eastbourne is popular in summer, of course, when the average maximum temperatures are around 20°C. But it’s also beautiful in spring and autumn — if you don’t mind a chill and a bit of a shower or two. Winter is wonderful if you like things to be ‘bracing’.

Still not sure where to stay?

• Expand your search to include all of the best places to stay in East Sussex
• Refine your search by the type of accommodation you’re looking for, and peruse just the most romantic hotels in East Sussex or the best Pubs-with-Rooms
• Consider the best places to stay in Brighton which is just along the coastline, the best places to stay in Hastings or Rye
• Or you could contact one of our friendly Gurus for personalised advice.