Hotel Review

Beachcroft Hotel Beach Huts Bognor Regis, West Sussex

Ben and I have had the great pleasure of reviewing many of Peter de Savary’s hotels over the years, including The Cary Arms in Babbacombe, the Shepherds Huts at the Merry Harriers, and Mount Cinnamon in Grenada, so we were delighted when we were invited to review the new Beach Huts at the Beachcroft Hotel in Bognor Regis, West Sussex.

Situated on the beach front of Bognor Regis’s beach, these three storey beach huts are perfect for a family get away on the south coast, as they have a bunk bedded room and bathroom on the ground floor, a lounge with bi-folding doors on to a private decked terrace with sun loungers on the second floor and a double bedroom on the third floor, all open plan so you can see the bed from the lounge, and whilst lying on the bed, if you have the doors open, you feel like you are floating on the sea because when the tide is in that is the view you have from the bed!

The private decked terrace is very close to the esplanade that many people use to stroll along the beach front, so much so that you can have a chat with those walking past. One walker asked if our croissants that we brought from breakfast to enjoy in the sun were for him, and many said hello, and although at first we thought it would be intrusive, it ended up being good fun saying hello to others who were enjoying the glorious sunshine as much as we were.

If you walk along the pebbly promenade to the right of the hotel you will come to a traditional British pier, with an arcade full of games to entertain the family, and on the other side there is crazy golf for £5.50 per person, which we really enjoyed, although I enjoyed it slightly more than Ben as I won, and he is a golfer who plays off six! I do admit there are no windmills, water wheels or helter skelters on a normal golf course, but I will take any win I can!

Having enjoyed a stroll along the seafront (there is a seven mile stretch of coastline for walkers to enjoy) we decided to enjoy a drink in the hotel’s outdoor bar, that again overlooks the sea and welcomes dogs. Blakes Beach Bar and Restaurant has a lunchtime menu here, as well as an Afternoon Tea menu, and after 6pm it becomes a pizza only restaurant, with a choice of four pizzas – margarita, vegetarian, pepperoni or prosciutto and rocket. We enjoyed our pizza in the one pod they have on the terrace, although sitting inside the pod or outside is equally enjoyable.

It is an extremely relaxing hotel, and just what we needed having just run our American Finance and Networking Event two days before, and in keeping with relaxed vibe the pizzas are served in boxes, which again I initially thought was odd, but actually it made it a bit more fun, but I am sure if you would rather have a knife, fork and plate, the staff would happily oblige.

The attention to detail the de Savary family have is what sets their hotels apart from many others, in my opinion. Little things like real milk in the fridge, rather than the cartons that are hard to open, and then usually spit milk all over me once I am successful in lifting the top off, quality toiletries in the bathrooms, buckets, spades and fishing nets for the children, and dog bowls around the hotel for our furry friends, who are welcome to stay at the hotel.

There is a television in both the lounge area and upstairs bedroom with many extra viewing options you don’t usually get in a hotel, including Netflix, a Magimix coffee making machine with proper mugs, and sloe gin with two shot glasses.

For the more active of our readers, there are bikes and paddle boards to hire, and an indoor swimming pool that can be booked on the half hour. This is great, as it means you and your family have the pool entirely to yourselves, so if you are a serious swimmer you can swim without others getting in your way, or if you have children they can swim and splash around to their hearts content without parents worrying about them disturbing other guests. There is also a pool table and table tennis table in the hotel, along with a restaurant.

For those wishing to dine in the hotel’s restaurant, Tamarisk Restaurant offers a traditional selection of English dishes freshly prepared by chef Damian Czerny who has worked around the continent and has brought his experience and flair to the Beachcroft Hotel.

If you are looking for a more relaxed meal, then Monty’s bar and bistro offers a selection of light bites and home cooked classics, in a cosy ambience and has something for all the family, and their four-legged friends. The restaurant is even named after the de Savary’s own beloved dog Monty, which enhances the fact that they are incredibly pet friendly.

Free parking is also available at the hotel, and for those in the beach huts the parking is opposite the main hotel’s reception, which is also where the beach huts are situated.

We have had a thoroughly enjoyable and relaxing 24 hours staying in our five star Beach Hut, sitting on the terrace enjoying the sun and listening to the waves, and we hope to return in the near future.

For further information please visit www.beachcroft-hotel.co.uk