Spotlight on The Relais Cooden Beach

With heritage details, a warm welcome, local fare and views across the English Channel, The Relais Cooden Beach has a wealth of credentials to recommend it. Once the home of the De La Warrs, this Sussex retreat has the comforting conviviality of a family home alongside the professionalism of experienced hosts.

A hotel by the sea

The location of The Relais Cooden Beach is not only in the name, it's also a breath of fresh air. Overlooking the beach at Bexhill-on-Sea, guests wake to views across the English Channel, immediately setting the scene for a relaxed getaway with vintage seaside vibes.

Heritage hotel style

The hotel is steeped in tradition, with details celebrating its past as well as the kind of archetypal seaside holiday that movies are made of. Sleep in rooms with a hint of nautical style given an elegant contemporary twist, or if you're in one of the Verandah Suites you can enjoy the whimsical stylings of Parisian designer, Pascal Allaman.

Dinner's a catch

Food and drink are a true celebration of the location, and not just when it comes to the provenance of ingredients. The area was the host of Britain’s first automobile races in 1902, recognised in the name of The Rally Bar and Restaurant, where, amongst the menu's foodie favourites, the ‘catch of the day’ is supplied daily by local Sussex fishermen. For something extra special, The Retreat on The Beach is a seasonal experience serving Sussex vineyard Rathfinny’s finest sparkling vintage on private sands. There's also the Terrace on the Beach for sundowners at sunset, and live jazz on Sunday afternoons.

Wellness on the coast

This is a place for spending your time strolling along the seafront and swimming in the sea. The team can arrange yoga on the lawn when the weather is fine, and there's a sense of general wellness breathing in the salty air. Taking things up a notch, the hotel will also soon be opening The Relais Retreat Spa complete with a host of new wellness facilities to look forward to.

Aromatherapy-based spa treatments

Spa treatments at The Relais Cooden Beach are all about luxury holistic wellness. They use the nutrient-rich, natural formulations from Pelegrims, which harness English grape extracts - the excess ingredients from the wine making process. They also embrace the healing benefits of Aromatherapy Associates and Lava Shells in a host of face and body treatments that amplify the feel-good-factor that's inherent to your stay.

Feeling tempted by a seaside retreat?