The Relais Cooden Beach and Spa

Hotels
Classic British Hotels
8.2 (1673 reviews)
Cooden Beach, Cooden Sea Rd , Bexhill , gb

Free
Children allowed

Facilities

WiFi available
Free WiFi
Parking
Free Parking
Non-smoking rooms
Fitness center
24-hour front desk
Restaurant
Room service
Heating
See all facilities

Review Highlights

Pros:
Friendly staff
Great location
Spa amenities
Cons:
Limited dining options
Noise issues

Categories

Cleanliness
8.13
Cleanliness noted as variable, with some complaints over noise and condition.
Service
8.6
Staff were frequently mentioned as friendly and helpful, contributing positively.
Location
8.64
Great location noted, enhancing the experience despite other issues.
Room Quality
7.59
Rooms described as too small or noisy in specific cases.
Amenities
8.62
Spa facilities praised, which enhanced guests' overall experience.
Value for Money
7.58
Perceived high prices for the limited dining choices.
Food and Beverage
8.13
Food quality noted as good, but menu options were limited.
Overall Experience
8.3
Overall positive experiences mentioned, with some mixed feedback.
* This sentiment is summarized by AI based on user reviews.
Updated at: 2026-01-08 13:11

Property Description

Directly on the Beach

The Relais Cooden Beach in Bexhill, East Sussex is a unique award-winning hotel located directly on the beach. Just take a step from the terrace to start a wonderful walk along the coastline!

Stylish Accommodation and Dining Experiences

Offering a range of accommodation and dining experiences, including the Stylish Rally Bar and Restaurant. With no roads to cross, relaxation by the beach is just steps away. Enjoy stunning views while indulging in delicious meals after a day out, a wedding, or a conference.

Luxurious Refurbished Rooms and New Dining Concepts

Following a redesign, all 45 rooms, including five new Veranda Suites with private terraces, have been entirely refurbished. The hotel now features new public spaces and dining concepts, reflecting a relaxed yet sophisticated style. The Rally Bar and Restaurant, Beach Terrace, and Cafe Bar offer various dining options for guests.

Book now to experience the perfect blend of luxury and relaxation at The Relais Cooden Beach in Bexhill-on-Sea, East Sussex.

Important information:

Guests may only book up to 4 bedrooms at any one time. Any Bookings exceeding 4 bedrooms will not be accepted.


Gym access is complimentary for the property guests only.
Please inform of your expected arrival time in advance. You can use the Special Requests box when booking, or contact the property directly using the contact details in your confirmation.
Guests under the age of 18 can only check in with a parent or official guardian.
A deposit may be required at the property.

Check-in and check-out hours:
Check-out: 11:00 AM
Airport code: LGW

Property Policies

  • Parking

    Free private parking is possible on site (reservation is not needed).

  • Internet

    WiFi is available in all areas and is free of charge.

  • Children and extra bed policy

    Children of any age are allowed.
    You haven't added any cots.
    You haven't added any extra beds.

  • Pets

    Pets are not allowed.

Location

Guest Reviews

8.2
Based on 1673 reviews
Cleanliness: 8.13
Service: 8.6
Location: 8.64
Room Quality: 7.59
Amenities: 8.62
Value for Money: 7.58
Food and Beverage: 8.13
Overall Experience: 8.3
D
dirk extended_group be
5
2026-06-20 via Nuitee
D
David couple gb
9
We had an excellent stay apart from the bed
Pros:

Breakfasts were good apart from slow poor toaster

Cons:

King size bed was uncomfortable

2026-06-20 via Nuitee
R
Rodney couple gb
10
2026-06-20 via Nuitee
A
Andrea couple gb
8
A refreshing break with direct access onto the beach
Pros:

Breakfast was great.

Cons:

The restaurant menu needs more ingredient detail. Door hooks needed on bathroom door.

2026-06-20 via Nuitee
H
HeartMirror-68 Family
4
NO LIFT - BADLY MANAGED - HOT DESK RECPETION - NO HELP WITH BAGS OR GUIDANCE TO ROOMS
Pros:

No lift - no manager - no customer service - hot desk reception - hot desking - zero hour contracted employees - very disappointed with experience - mother could not stay - missed breakfast due to not being able to have breakfast with my mother in the hotel - requested reimbursement refund - made a formal complaint due to my mum having to go home when left and was given the managers card who refused to return my calls - was calm and appreciative to all employees - complimented the hotel on my sleep and environment initially had no record of my complaint which was also saying that enjoyed my sleep and employees working there - is not their fault is the hotel charges and lack of staff - will not be returning.. In the 21st century this should be an inclusive space for everyone !! The hotel is not cheap - avoid if you have older relatives friends who cannot climb stairs - the hotel is a maze with no one to help you around - an be ready to be called a liar if you complain - I complained politely and also constructively - was not rude or impatient. Tried to call and talk to the manager - VERY UNPROFESSIONAL !!!!!!

2026-06-19 via Tripadvisor
J
John family_with_children ie
10
Lovely place destroyed by being charged twice and no refund that’s theft.
Pros:

All nice except double charge

Cons:

I have been charged twice and booking com say the hotel would refund me but they have not it’s over a month.

2026-06-19 via Nuitee
J
Joanna couple gb
8
Lovely relaxing stay
Pros:

Beautiful location and very clean and staff welcoming

Cons:

Leak from the room above but maintenance fixed

2026-06-18 via Nuitee
K
Keith couple gb
10
2026-06-15 via Nuitee
M
Martin couple gb
7
Nice stay for a night
Pros:

The staff were really friendly and helpful. The breakfast was good quality.

Cons:

The size of the room let our stay down. It did not match the photos and was much smaller in reality. The heating in the room was overwhelming the next morning, unable to open the windows very far it made the room uncomfortable.

2026-06-15 via Nuitee
D
David couple gb
9
Beautiful, seafront hotel - perfect for an escape from the city
Pros:

Beautiful location right on the seafront, staff really friendly and attentive, room was comfortable. Breakfast was great.

Cons:

Nothing - it was great!

2026-06-14 via Nuitee
D
Douglas solo_traveller gb
1
Pros:

Chap on reception was very good dealing with my issues

Cons:

"Cosy Double"
Very hot double! No aircon, no window that opened. No curtains closed west facing on and 30 deg.very noisy kitchen extraction fan
All in all room 101 not fit for purpose. Wouldn't change room as hotel full and no refund. Had to find alternative accommodation for the night. Not happy

2026-06-12 via Nuitee
M
Martin couple gb
8
Pros:

Spa fantastic, food good

Cons:

Room had no view

2026-06-11 via Nuitee
H
Helen solo_traveller gb
9
2026-06-11 via Nuitee
K
Keith solo_traveller gb
5
Poor value for money but great staff
Pros:

Location excellent. Restaurant staff friendly and helpful

Cons:

Dog friendly area is basically cramped and includes the pool table - not somewhere you would want to entertain a guest unless they like conversation interupted by noisy pool games. Room was first floor in annex, but nobody thought to offer to take cases up for an elderly couple. Food was well cooked but a limited menu of variable value. The dog friendly room was clean but small, not worth £300/night.

2026-06-11 via Nuitee
R
Rosemary couple gb
8
Lovely staff very helpful
Pros:

The stairs were a bit of a problem I would book a downstairs room next time otherwise it was very nice

Cons:

The stairs

2026-06-09 via Nuitee
K
Karen solo_traveller gb
10
Overall great stay
Pros:

Overall a great stay, Breakfast was lovely, staff was all welcoming and helpful. Room facilities was great.

Cons:

Not a fan of the sea house rooms when I've stayed in the main hotel before. Felt little anxious when went back to room late as was outside on my own and opening the main door to sea house was awkward, especially a single female travelling alone. would leave me to not use the bar in evening.

2026-06-08 via Nuitee
L
Luisa couple gb
8
Lovely place by the sea, great food
Pros:

Location was great, right on the beach. Room was spacious with a lovely sea view. Dinner was delicious, service was great.

Cons:

Halls were a bit shabby, cleaners left stock rooms open opposite our room which was very unsightly.

2026-06-05 via Nuitee
D
David solo_traveller gb
7
2026-06-03 via Nuitee
J
jocoe2017 Couples Eastbourne, East Sussex, England
8
Spa great/ lunch service not so much
Pros:

I had received a gift voucher for the spa for my birthday
I had booked two treatments which were fantastic many thanks to Siobhan for looking after me all the spa staff were friendly and professional
Unfortunately the lunch not so good
Service slow , chaotic
I had booked a table for 2 people it didn’t seem necessary as was told we could sit anywhere inside or on the terrace
We ordered a drink and was told drinks and menu would be brought out shortly
We sat outside on the terrace which was lovely
20 minutes of waiting nothing arrived so my husband went inside to ask
drinks eventually arrived no menu so my husband once again went and got the menus
Waited again no one came to take our order so back inside to order lunch
While waiting other customers were receiving the wrong order staff wandering round with plates of food with no idea who to deliver it to
It wasn’t busy so why was happening ??
The lunch when it did eventually arrived was lovely
Please give more training to your waiting staff as obviously this is desperately needed

2026-06-02 via Tripadvisor
W
Walkerfan Friends getaway
4
Disappointing.
Pros:

After enjoying a fabulous Sunday lunch here on 1st March, I was keen to repeat the experience, but this time I was very disappointed. For a start, we were treated to loud discordant jazz, which drowned conversation. The pate was bitter and there was not enough bread. We complained, and were offered an alternative, but did not take it as we wanted to leave space for the main course. Some slices of beef were tough. The gravy, which had been rich and beautifully seasoned before, was thin and tasteless. It was nithing like the roast dinner I'd had before. I will not go back.

2026-06-02 via Tripadvisor