Hastings’ nostalgic seaside charm, long shingle beach, colourful fishing port heritage, and profound connection with 1066 all helped to make Hastings a popular destination for a weekend or mini-break. And, as the art galleries, antique and retro boutiques and fantastic pubs flourished, more opened to join them. Today Hastings is a chic choice, with an impressive art gallery just beside the fun fair, fancy restaurants around the striking old smokehouses on the beach, and a Victorian funicular that lifts you from the beach onto the clifftop, where stunning walking routes await. Our recommendations for the best places to stay in Hastings lean towards the boutique end of the scale, offering wonderful locally sourced breakfasts, and locally acquired art and antiques, plus plenty of character.

If you’re planning to check out the art galleries and browse the antique shops, the best places to stay in Hastings will probably be in the pretty Old Town. There are some charming Tudor houses and plenty of small boutiques, independent interior design shops and art galleries. Much of the rest of Hastings was built during the Victorian era, so there are some lovely seaside squares, some very nice parks, and also those quintessential Victorian facades.

William the Conqueror’s ruined Norman Castle sits on the hilltop above the second of Hastings’ two funiculars, which leaves from the centre of town, close to the contemporary shopping precinct, just behind the pier. There’s not a lot of it left, but the views are wonderful. If you’re here for 1066, head inland about six miles to Battle and Battle Abbey, but definitely book into one of the best places to stay in Hastings. There’s not much in Battle, beyond the pretty high street and the abbey, while Hastings is rife with fantastic places to eat and drink, the fantastic coastline, historic charms, and great walking trails.

The Best Places to Stay in Hastings

For Romantics

• The Laindons is our Guru’s top pick for an old town Hastings location; it's right on Hastings High Street, just a short walk from the prettiest part of town, and the beach. The Laindons has five boutique-style bedrooms, decorated with a light and airy atmosphere in mind, and pops of colour. There’s also a very welcoming sitting room and honesty bar, where you’ll find just the right level of friendly welcome from the owners, who also provide the home cooked breakfast served in a charming conservatory.

For a MIni-Break

• Black Rock House is a wonderfully converted red brick mansion on a pretty residential road, not too far from the West Hill funicular. The decor makes it clear that this is a converted home, with a great collection of art, books and antiques in the communal areas, and simpler, more contemporary details in the five guest rooms. The locally sourced breakfast menu is memorable for all the right reasons, and you’re well positioned for walking trails, as well as for the pleasures of Hastings.

For an Escape

• The Old Rectory is another charming guesthouse on the hill overlooking Hasting’s cove. Converted from an 18th century rectory, this building’s generous proportions provide the scope for eight quite luxurious and romantic rooms, plus a very comfortable and stylish lounge and chintzy breakfast room. The beautiful garden is a real bonus. Cooked breakfasts incorporate locally caught fish and free-range eggs.

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 closest for Hastings, with Gatwick Airport closest, at around an hour and a half away by train via Eastbourne, or about an hour away by car or taxi. 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 London Bridge or Charing Cross around every half hour, for a journey that takes about an hour and forty minutes.
• 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. Hastings 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’, against stark skies.

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
• You might also want to consider the best places to stay in Brighton which is just along the coastline, or Eastbourne or Rye
• Or you could contact one of our friendly Gurus for personalised advice.