A stylish stay by the sea at minimalist boutique hotel Port Hotel Eastbourne

[All images Cate St Hill. My stay at Port Hotel Eastbourne was NOT a press stay – I just really liked it and wanted to share a review with you! You can see more hotel reviews here]

Like most people this year, I’ve swapped far-flung escapes for the safety of local staycations. While foreign travel is a bit of a roll of a dice at the moment, the idea of an easy, stress-free getaway not that far from home (without the need for a PCR test and a 10 day quarantine) instantly appeals. So I was delighted to recently discover Port Hotel, an effortlessly stylish Scandi-style boutique hotel overlooking the briny blue-grey waters of British seaside town Eastbourne.

Situated smack bang on the town’s Royal Parade, where the rest of the hotels and B&Bs give off a sense of faded grandeur forgotten by time, Port Hotel stands out with its jet black facade. There’s no missing it. Opened in April this year, the Victorian townhouse has been transformed to house 19 modern bedrooms and a contemporary restaurant serving a concoction of locally sourced small plates. There’s not many places within an hour and a half’s (direct) train journey from London where you could step from beach to bedroom and find yourself greeted by the most postcard perfect vista of water. Nor find such Pinterest worthy interiors. It’s like they’ve transported a Scandinavian designer hotel from the heart of Copenhagen to the shores of the UK.

Minimalist boutique design hotel – not the sort of place you might take a four month old baby and a dog you might think. But with a small suitcase, pram and rucksack or two, we set off from Victoria station for five nights in Eastbourne. With one honeymoon cancelled and two other trips put on pause due to Covid, this is what a holiday look like for us now. But we weren’t going to let it cramp our style. Family- AND dog-friendly, Port Hotel welcomed us with open arms and we slotted into their Studio Apartment as if it was a home away from home.

Now let’s talk about the interiors. The biscuit and oatmeal tones of the Eastbourne’s pebble beach have been brought inside to create a series of beautiful, beige bedrooms, complete with designer chairs and record players. Everything is thoughtfully designed, from the curated shelves to the striped cushions. I was taking notes for my own interior projects. The dark painted windows contrast with the soft, enveloping curtains, while cork floors and wooden joinery add subtle warmth. The result is instantly calming and serene – a place where you can really switch off and escape.

You might want to potter around the town’s antique shops, stroll along the pier, take a walk to Cuckmere Haven or have a day trip along the coast to Hastings. Or you might just prefer to while away a long weekend in the cosy confines of the hotel, ordering breakfast to the room and soaking up those sea views from your bed. We did a little of both and loved every minute.

We stayed in their Studio Apartment, instantly sold by the full-height bay window providing a panorama of the sea. The huge, super-king size bed was more than big enough for the three of us, with a sleek wood panelled headboard and crisp white bedding (they also provided a cot and dog bed so we call all sleep in luxury). Not content with just lounging on the bed, there was also a generous three seater sofa and a small table and chairs framed by the view. This window spot was too good not to enjoy every day, so we opted to eat breakfast there and even a fish-and-chip dinner or two, rather than venture down to the communal areas of the hotel.

All the luxuries were there, from a Nespresso machine and HAY kettle, to a Crosley record player and binoculars for people watching. Really you had no need to leave the hotel.

And why would you. Open two sliding doors and you’re greeted by a bathroom the size of most people’s living room, with a freestanding bath, walk in shower and matching sinks. Black sanitaryware give an industrial finish while grey terrazzo floors add a hint of on-trend pattern that ties in with the beige of the bedroom. Artek’s Rope chair by the Bouroullec brothers gives a subtle nod to the sea, without resorting to kitsch. I particularly appreciated the sustainable Haekels soap and Faith in Nature toiletries. Keep the doors of the bathroom open and you can almost enjoy a bath with a sea view.

Perfect for a night trip, weekend mini-break or week-long stay, Port Hotel has put Eastbourne on the map. While the rest of the town has some way to go before competing with other seaside destinations (good quality eateries are few and far between, and I’m sure 90% of the hotel guests were from London…), Port Hotel has lifted the sea front and brought a stylish stay to the East Sussex coast. Put Eastbourne on your radar and make Port Hotel your first port of call. I have no doubt it will soon be all booked up.

Port Hotel Eastbourne – rooms from £126 – book here