We recently paid a visit to Port Hotel, a beautifully chic seaside bolthole in Eastbourne, and we’re ready to give you the low-down on what to expect from a stay at this beachfront hotel.
Location
We’re calling it now – Eastbourne is severely underrated. After our visit, we were left wondering where it’s getting its bad rep from, with its laid-back, almost tropical vibe making us feel like we were in Spain at some points. The beachfront and surrounding areas are decked out with vibrant greenery and flowers that look like they belong on a sandy sun-drenched island, and there are quaint ice cream stalls and parlours dotted about that give off major beach holiday vibes. In the town, there are plenty of food and drink gems, with independent wine bars, relaxed brunch spots, bustling cocktail bars and à la carte restaurants. There are also a ton of different activities you can try out in Eastbourne, from walking tours of the South Downs to contemporary art gallery visits to giving adventurous watersports a go. You’re certainly not going to run out of spots to try out or things to do if you’re there for a few days.
Overall vibe
Port’s vibe is super-calming, with its pebble-palette interiors leaving you feeling laid back whether you’re relaxing in your room, in the lounge or on the terrace. The hotel’s attention to detail both with design and amenities makes you feel seriously pampered, and lets you feel completely at peace knowing you’ve got every little thing you could need. We left feeling completely rejuvenated as if we’d had the best massage of our lives. Port most definitely passes the vibe check.
Bedrooms
Port’s bedrooms are the stuff of dreams. Thanks to our sea-facing views, the rooms were always beautifully light, helping to emphasise the tranquility of the pastel-painted walls and furniture. The bathrooms were as well-lit as the bedroom and the shower alone made the visit to Port incredible, with its waterfall head making you feel as though you’re in a Herbal Essences advert, plus we need to find out where they got their matte stone sinks from because having one of our own is now an absolute must. Back in the bedroom, the beds were so ridiculously comfortable, and the duvet so wonderfully soft that getting out of them in the morning was an incredibly difficult job. The best thing about Port’s bedrooms were all the little touches, from eye masks and earplugs next to the beds, to binoculars by the window, to coffee pods and camomile tea, every addition made us feel seriously well looked after.
Food & drink
Port’s food menu is designed to celebrate local produce and changes with the seasons. Each dish features freshly sourced ingredients that showcase the best of the surrounding areas, with as much as possible being sourced within a 30-mile radius of Port. It’s safe to say we’re still dreaming of their brunch dishes, which we enjoyed whilst basking in the sun out on the terrace. Every ingredient was bursting with flavour and was perfectly cooked and seasoned, making us vow to return so that we can try out more of their menu. We also couldn’t get enough of Port’s drinks menu. Thanks to their happy hour, which offers 2-4-1 cocktails 4-7pm Sunday-Thursday and 4-6pm Friday and Saturday, we got to try out four of their delicious concoctions – but even picking that many was difficult with every cocktail on the menu sounding incredible. As well as cocktails, the Luna bar offers a huge variety of local spirits, beer and wine, and is an area of the hotel you can easily spend hours in, sipping on a glass of something whilst watching the world go by.
The verdict
Port should absolutely be a destination on your weekend-away list. With a location that allows you to make the most of nature, a town that boasts tons of great hidden gems, and a space that doesn’t skip on a single detail, it’s a place you’ll never want to leave and will always want to come back to.
Visit Port’s website at https://www.porthotel.co.uk/ and check out their Instagram at @stayatport.
