From dramatic Atlantic views to sophisticated seaside elegance, Alex Fisher explains why you shouldn’t miss booking these Hot Hotels in 2025.
Tregarthen’s Hotel, Hugh Town, St Mary’s, Isles of Scilly
WHAT’S THE BUZZ? Tregarthen’s Hotel has long been a favourite with visitors seeking a quiet island escape with breathtaking sea views – and now there’s even more reason to visit. This year, the hotel has launched four brand new seafront lodges right on the water’s edge, with front-row views across the ocean towards neighbouring Tresco and St Martin’s.
Designed for two guests, each lodge features a mezzanine-level double bed overlooking a stylish living area, with full-height glass windows and sliding doors leading out to private decking – perfect for sunset drinks and soaking up the island atmosphere.
WHAT ARE THE ROOMS LIKE?
In addition to the lodges, Tregarthen’s has 31 comfortable en-suite hotel bedrooms and six holiday cottages. Many of the rooms boast sweeping sea views, with vistas over the harbour, the neighbouring islands, and across the roofscape of the islands’ capital, Hugh Town, towards Porthcressa Bay. Rooms are decorated to reflect the relaxed coastal setting, and all have tea and coffee-making facilities.
BEST SEA VIEWS
Whether you’re in one of the lodges, a sea-view hotel room or enjoying a drink on the terrace, you’ll be treated to some of the best panoramas on St Mary’s. From the hotel, you can gaze across the harbour and watch boats come and go from the quay, which is just a stone’s throw away – ideal for daily boat trips to explore the off-islands of Tresco, St Martin’s, Bryher and St Agnes.
HOW’S THE FOOD? The hotel’s restaurant champions local produce and seafood, offering hearty fine dining and seasonal dishes in its recently renovated dining room. I enjoyed a starter of scallops with chorizo and pea purée (£14) followed by duck breast with butternut squash purée and orange-infused carrots (£29.95). The menu also features a selection of comforting favourites, from sausage and mash to homemade fish pie at around £20 each. I finished my meal with a divine lemon posset (£8.95). You can dine inside, or out on the terrace when the sun is shining.
WHAT DOES IT COST?
The new lodges are offered on a bed-and- breakfast basis, with breakfast served in the hotel restaurant. Rates start at £375 per lodge per night in low season (20 March-30 April and 1-20 October 2025) and rise to £415 per night in high season (1 May-30 September 2025). Standard double rooms in the hotel start at around £205 per night.
HOW DO I BOOK?
You can call Tregarthen’s on 01720 422540 or book online at tregarthens.com. I flew to the Isles of Scilly with penzancehelicopters.co.uk – the flight takes only 15 minutes from Penzance in Cornwall.
No. 124, Brighton
WHAT’S THE BUZZ? This gorgeous boutique hotel sits directly opposite the ruins of the West Pier and the promenade that runs all the way from Brighton to Hove. Recently opened in November 2024, as well as having great sea views, it’s in the heart of the city centre, making it the perfect location to access all the venues, galleries, restaurants and bars that Brighton offers. The décor combines modern luxury with vintage finds, drawing on the Victorian and Georgian architecture of the building and the surrounding area, which contrasts with carefully chosen local art.
There’s a stunning bar serving unique cocktails, along with an outdoor area for when the sun shines, and a 24-hour free pantry for when the munchies strike. Dogs are welcome and, although the hotel has a very grown-up vibe, so are children, who are provided with their own tipi.
WHAT ARE THE ROOMS LIKE?
All of the 32 rooms have Sealy Derwent mattresses and 200-thread-count cotton linen. There are coffee machines with compostable pods, kettles and teas, sparking water, and lovely Wildsmith toiletries. There is also a turntable in every room, with a library of records to choose from downstairs.
BEST SEA VIEW?
There are sunset sea views to be had from many of the rooms, and the Lookout Suites have floor-to-ceiling windows and a private balcony overlooking the pebble beach and watery horizon. The best suite, The Hideout, has sea views, plus its own private entrance to the hotel and a private courtyard with a hot tub, along with a living room.
HOW ABOUT THE FOOD?
The Ground Floor offers delicious food in a series of stylish spaces: on the terrace when the weather permits, in the indoor winter garden courtyard, and also in the lounge and games room. The house menu offers small plates including wood-fired prawns, crispy squid, and smoked salmon and cream cheese paté served with seaweed crisp breads (from £9 each). You can also treat yourself to
a dozen freshly shucked British oysters (£42) or a lobster roll (£25).
ANY LUXURIOUS TOUCHES?
The hotel already feels sumptuous, with beautiful fixtures and fittings and carefully chosen textiles and art throughout – however, in 2025, it will be adding its own spa area, and guests will be able to book onsite treatments during their stay. Guests can order breakfast in bed, and I highly recommend doing this. The Morning Menu is superb and includes shakshuka and a chia seed, mango and coconut pot.
WHAT WILL IT COST?
Prices vary according to availability and timing, and are much higher on the weekends, when there is more demand. However, between Mondays and Wednesdays, rooms can be under £150 a night. Check the website for more details.
HOW DO I BOOK?
Call 01273 916779 or visit guesthousehotels.co.uk/no-124-kingsroad-brighton.
The Harbour Hotel, Padstow, Cornwall
WHAT’S THE BUZZ? This beautiful Victorian building has been welcoming guests for over 100 years. Perched above the town, it offers sweeping views across the waterfront and out towards Rock on the other side of the estuary. Originally, the hotel was built shortly after the railway arrived in 1899.
Celebrated with crowds and a brass band, the opening of the railway marked a change in fortunes for this busy fishing port. Holidaymakers began to arrive in droves, staying at what was then the very grand Metropole Hotel.
The town suffered a lull in visitors when the railway was finally closed in 1967, but Chef Rick Stein played his part in bringing them back when he opened his first restaurant here with his wife, Jill, in 1975. Now an internationally known brand, Stein’s ensured that Padstow became the foodie destination it is today.
The grand Victorian hotel, having become a little tired, was purchased by the Harbour Hotel group in 2018 and reopened the following year after a full refurbishment.
WHAT ARE THE ROOMS LIKE?
This loving restoration has seen the 58 rooms redecorated in a blue and white marine-themed style. Firmly rooted in Cornish chic, natural materials – such as wood, stone and wool – are used throughout. There is a complimentary decanter of gin to welcome the weary traveller, along with Nespresso machines and Bramley toiletries. For visitors who require accessible accommodation, a Garden Room – reached via the lift and featuring walk-in showers – is the best option.
BEST VIEWS?
Much of the Estuary View accommodation offers guests uninterrupted views across the water. Some of the Deluxe Estuary View rooms even have a private balcony, where you can watch the sun slowly dipping into the horizon as you sip your complimentary gin and tonic.
HOW’S THE FOOD?
The hotel’s newly relaunched restaurant, The Jetty, is overseen by Chef Patron Alex Aitken – formerly chef-owner at Le Poussin, which received a Michelin Star in 1995. Alex, who started out as a trawlerman – and therefore brings great knowledge and a passion for British fish to the table – has created a menu that focuses on local, seasonal ingredients.
The menu changes, but expect it to feature many fish dishes, from lime-cured brill served with watercress, heritage tomato, radish and broad
bean salad for starters, followed by oven-roasted wing of skate with sesame bok choy, mussels, coconut, turmeric cream and crispy seaweed.
Prices are quite high, at around £15 for a starter and just under £30 for a main, but the glorious views from the stunning floor-to-ceiling windows that run the length of the restaurant will make any meal a treat to remember.
LOCAL ACTIVITIES TO ENJOY
The disused railway line has now become the famous Camel Trail – a scenic cycling route that is well worth a visit. I cycled it in the pouring rain, and it was still a joy! The hotel can arrange bikes for guests. Also well worth a visit is the fabulous National Lobster Hatchery – a charity that focuses its efforts on ensuring the sustainability of lobster fishing in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly. In exchange for a small donation, you can learn the fascinating story of this incredible creature, which holds a prime position in our food history and culture.
Padstow is still a working fishing port, so you can get up early and watch the boats pootle across the estuary and out to sea, before exploring the many culinary pleasures the town has to offer, from Rick Stein’s foodie emporium to Paul Ainsworth at No6.
As many coast-lovers will be aware, Padstow gets extremely busy with both national and international visitors in summer. But I love to visit in the winter months. From October to March, the town falls quiet and the streets empty out, but the beauty remains. Although the Harbour Hotel is above the town, it’s still only a five-minute stroll away from the heart of this lovely port, where you can enjoy the fresh sea air and the wonderful views at your leisure.
WHAT WILL IT COST?
Inland rooms start at £165 in spring, rising to £240 in the summer. Continental breakfast is included, with an additional charge for a cooked breakfast.
HOW DO I BOOK?
Call 01841 532486 or visit harbourhotels.co.uk/our-hotels/cornwall/harbour-hotel-padstow.
