Smugglers Cove, Clacton On Sea by Marston's Inns

10/10

Exceptional

04 Aug 2026

Stephen

Good location. Onsite pub offers plenty of choices plus a carvery.

8/10

Excellent

04 Aug 2026

Thomas Mark

As an American it was a little weird but all in all it wasn’t a bad experience.

10/10

Exceptional

02 Aug 2026

Angela

The staff are very friendly and recognise me as i return every fortnight which is nice

10/10

Exceptional

02 Aug 2026

Karl

All good! Perfect stay and will return.

8/10

Excellent

30 Jul 2026

June

A bit unusual checking in at the nearby restaurant, as we arrived fairly late, it was lucky the restaurant was still open but no problems the bar staff were very helpful and quick to issue the key cards.
Room was quiet, didnt hear any other guests, although there was some noise (motorbikes) from the road outside at about 11 pm.
Parking was plentiful but disappointing the EV charging station was not working, had to find charging elsewhere Morrisons.

10/10

Exceptional

28 Jul 2026

Nicola

Absolutely amazing place. Very friendly and clean. X

10/10

Exceptional

25 Jul 2026

Angela

This is a lovely hotel nothing is too much trouble just ask a member of the team if you need anything that why I keep returning lovely atmosphere good food lot's of shops not far from the beach

6/10

Pleasant

21 Jul 2026

Malcolm

Bedroom was clean and bed was comfortable. Evening meal was poor but breakfast was ok. Shower over bath was pathetic. Would not stay again!.

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

13 Jul 2026

Angela

I am definitely returning to the Aviator its in a convenient location for shopping the beach nice atmosphere and friendly people

Family

8/10

Excellent

12 Jul 2026

Thujina

Nice clean room with air-conditioning. Good value for money and nicely situation for a trip to clacton.

Partner

8/10

Excellent

08 Jul 2026

Neil

No issues. Second stay. Convenient location for a stay

Friends_and_family Family

10/10

Exceptional

06 Jul 2026

Karen

Clean room well maintained.
Air conditioning amazing, staff very nice, bed very comfortable.
Didn’t go to the pub for breakfast but evening meal good with ample outside seating

Partner

6/10

Pleasant

01 Jul 2026

David

SOAP WAS AN ISSUE.

10/10

Exceptional

26 Jun 2026

Helen

Staff very friendly.
Room good size, clean and aircon was very much appreciated.
Breakfast, although a separate charge, was very good. Lots of choice.
Plenty free parking.

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

23 Jun 2026

Helen

Staff friendly at check in, room clean and bed comfortable. Air-conditioning in room. Plenty free parking. Breakfast was good, lots of choice (extra charge) Lots of shops nearby.

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

07 Jun 2026

Elaine

lovely staff friendly and helpful
room was spotless, had everything we needed
food was lovely , well served , great value
will stay again ,
bed exceptionally comfortable , pillows so good i've googled the make , and have them on order .

Friends_and_family Family

10/10

Exceptional

29 May 2026

Tony

Excellent stay for a family of four in a great location with lots of options for food nearby. Breakfast and pub dinner were superb and very good quality. Thank you for a great stay.

Family_with_children

8/10

Excellent

28 May 2026

James

Good location and a great breakfast in the pub, great value as well

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

17 May 2026

James

Easy check in and rooms did the job! Few bits of wear and tear in the rooms but nothing that a lick of paint can’t fix. Would recommend to anyone who needs a hotel in the Clacton area!

Partner

6/10

Pleasant

15 May 2026

Paul

Its location.

Partner

8/10

Excellent

13 May 2026

Phil

Comfortable bed, pressure not great on shower. Car park empty in the morning at 7.30, did anyone stay that night.

Self

10/10

Exceptional

06 May 2026

Nancy

Some updating and painting might freshen up the hallways and rooms but they were clean.

Partner

8/10

Excellent

06 May 2026

Sam

I stayed here with my wife and two kids for a two night stay. When we arrived we were pleasantly surprised at the overall cleanliness of the room. It had been made up to accommodate all the beds we needed and it was a very lovely little room to stay in. The bathroom was very clean too. Also plug sockets on each bedside! Those are a game changer which surprisingly aren't in a lot of hotel rooms.

Here come the negatives. We were a little disappointed that the room did not come with a mini fridge as those are always handy to have and also there was no lift. It’s only two storeys but when you have heavy luggage it’s quite necessary. I don’t know what wheelchair users would do. Not a huge deal to us but just some things which I feel I have to comment on.

The main negative came at the end of our stay. When fishing underneath the main bed for any lost kids toys before checking out, I saw it had not been cleaned at all under the bed. There was a used tissue, sweets stuck to the carpet and crumbs. Then I saw a shiny pink thing which caught my eye. I had to use the TV remote to get it out. What it turned out to be was a piece of illegal smoking paraphernalia. A grinder of sorts. A quick sniff confirmed my suspicions. It must have been left on the bedside from a previous visitor and fell off and rolled underneath. This was the worst part of our stay. Lucky it was at the end and lucky it was not something ‘worse’ which my children could have picked up.

8/10

Excellent

04 May 2026

joe

Hotel stay was great, room was big enough for my family of 5 however was meant to be a double bed and 2 singles but one of them was a pullout matress with no sheets or anything so couldn’t use it.
No soap in bathroom either
But great location plenty of food and supermarket, petrol nearby and 8 mins from the pier.
Breakfast really bad I would avoid going at all waited around 30 mins to take order and when it came was not good couldn’t eat it. Also the hygiene wasn’t great as saw staff putting out the croissants with her fingers no gloves etc.
But hotel stay was better than expected.
Thankyou!

Family_with_children

8/10

Excellent

27 Apr 2026

Richard

Ok breakfast

8/10

Excellent

17 Apr 2026

Paula

Breakfast had a fairly good range, although no yoghurt on both days and no pastries on the second.
The room was clean, however there were hairs on the bath room floor, which went on to the floor mat. There were no coffee cups in the room, I did request these, but had to go and get from the restaurant a few hours later. Ac could not be switched on below 19•c it got very warm in the room, the window had security locks, so we’re unable to get enough of a breeze.
The food was lovely, a good choice of evening meals.

Family

8/10

Excellent

15 Apr 2026

Ian

Friendly and inviting

Self

10/10

Exceptional

08 Apr 2026

Rebecca

Clean room. Plenty of tea and coffee. Great breakfast at the pub and lots of other food outlets around. Would definitely stay here again.

10/10

Exceptional

06 Apr 2026

Khulisani

Fantastic Stay at The Aviator (Room 104)
​I had a wonderful experience staying at The Aviator. From the moment I arrived, everything was handled with professionalism and care.
​Shoutout to Housekeeping: I stayed in Room 104, and I have to give a special mention to Amber. The clean room was absolutely pristine; her attention to detail was evident the moment I walked in. It’s rare to find such a high standard of cleanliness!
​Wonderful Staff: Beyond housekeeping, the entire staff was friendly and accommodating, ensuring a smooth and pleasant stay from start to finish.
​Comfort & Tech: The air conditioning worked perfectly—it was quiet and kept the room at a very comfortable temperature, which made for a great night's sleep.
​Prime Location: The location is incredibly convenient with several shops nearby. It was so easy to step out and grab anything I needed without having to trek across town.
​Bottom Line: Between the great service from people like Amber and the excellent facilities, I’d highly recommend The Aviator to anyone. I’ll definitely be returning!

Family_with_children

10/10

Exceptional

01 Apr 2026

Neil

Great room for the price. Helpfui staff. Great bed

10/10

Exceptional

30 Mar 2026

Gina

Quick and easy

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

19 Mar 2026

Jess

Really clean and no problems

Friends_and_family Friends

6/10

Pleasant

13 Mar 2026

Tony

Bang average bar staff check you in and it seems like a proper inconvenience ! Sorry about that

Self

8/10

Excellent

09 Mar 2026

Jonathan

Good location with the pub and a McDonald's then there is a Lidl and M&S food nearby

Friends_and_family Family

8/10

Excellent

05 Mar 2026

GRAHAM

ALL GOOD

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

23 Feb 2026

Louise

Accommodation was fantastic and staff very friendly

Family_with_children

10/10

Exceptional

22 Feb 2026

Craig

Clean room lovely staff great amenities

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

08 Feb 2026

Lynn

Clean room food and bar staff were very friendly

8/10

Excellent

07 Feb 2026

Christopher

Room was clean and staff made our stay

Friends_and_family Family

10/10

Exceptional

06 Feb 2026

David

Rooms clean

Business Self

10/10

Exceptional

05 Feb 2026

Katie

Excellent, clean room and lovely staff, thank you

10/10

Exceptional

05 Feb 2026

Katie

Excellent as always!

8/10

Excellent

03 Feb 2026

Denise

Clean room.

10/10

Exceptional

01 Feb 2026

Stephen

Very clean tidy room
Wonderful friendly room attendant

10/10

Exceptional

25 Jan 2026

Jeffrey

Room was clean and well appointed

Leisure Family

6/10

Pleasant

14 Dec 2025

Kelly

The hotel itself hadn’t been hoovered and the carpet was covered in bits, this was also the same in the room with the bathroom having stones and other bits all over it. When we asked for the room to be made up the beds weren’t properly made and again no hoovering. Also for a family room there is no sticky bath mat for kids not to slip. The main bed was great the two single beds felt like the springs were going to come through the mattress.

The breakfast was ok and some of the bits were decent enough, poor choice of hot drink options when it comes to tea, however the staff were very friendly and tried to be helpful.

Overall the stay was ok, it just seems to need some real attention on cleanliness and spare beds

Leisure Family_with_children

10/10

Exceptional

09 Dec 2025

Katie

Excellent from check in to check out…

Leisure Partner

6/10

Pleasant

08 Dec 2025

Mrs R S

Reception was very welcoming and we had a good evening meal in the restaurant.
Breakfast however was very slow both days. I decided to have poached eggs on toast the second day and they were very undercooked so I couldn't eat any of it. I would have complained but after waiting so long for it to arrive there really wasn't time to reorder.
Our room was ok except the bathroom was a disabled wet room instead of a standard bathroom, which we didn't book.
I would definitely go there again for an evening meal but I don't think I would stay there again.

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

08 Dec 2025

Sarah

Hhh

Business Self

10/10

Exceptional

07 Dec 2025

Susan

Clean room, quiet, bed was comfortable. Had everything I needed. Even had a bath which I enjoyed. Complimentary tea/coffee /milk, extra available in the foyer. Didn't have any food as was visiting family

Self

10/10

Exceptional

06 Dec 2025

Tony

Clean and

Business Self

8/10

Excellent

30 Nov 2025

Christopher

Rooms had everything we needed, clean and tidy.
Food at the restaurant was good and the service was excellent

Partner

6/10

Pleasant

22 Nov 2025

Mark

Not the greatest but not the worst, standard

Business

2/10

Poor

20 Nov 2025

Rafina

Unorganized

Partner

2/10

Poor

16 Nov 2025

Paul

Again the room wasn't made up properly. Previously I've been sent down to a room that wasn't clean. Ended up watching the ladies do the house keeping.

I was having a really nice day. Prices a little higher than I am used to, but not too expensive. I had some nice drinks and my girlfriend and I had a meal.

By time you factor in the cost of the room, drinks, and a meal it's about 120 quid. Should be a nice time away.

Then you find. Even after my girlfriend phone reception. That the room is made up of 2 singles instead of a double bed. Okay the lady did come and change it. But I was met with excuses. We are short staffed, someone else got it wrong. That kind of thing.

I spend a lot of money with hotels and this kind of thing is becoming all too common.

Also room 101 had terrible outside noise coming into it. It's an accessible room so sadly we can't always book elsewhere. It's either people above or those coming in and out smoking all night that stop you sleeping.I was going to book 2 nights but I can't risk going to work tired on Monday

Room wasn't right and too noisy for a work night sleep

Partner

8/10

Excellent

10 Nov 2025

Jonathan

Nice room clean and everything you need. My only complaint was the mattress it was awful just how I imagine that a prison mattress would be.

Friends_and_family Family

2/10

Poor

07 Nov 2025

Rafina

Holes in the walls , mold in the toilet not clean at all the bed was so uncomfortable as they pushed two singles together

Partner

6/10

Pleasant

27 Oct 2025

Andrew

Not a good experience

Check in staff were helpful, but apart from that not a very good experience. The room was not well maintained. There was a big brown mark in the bottom of the toilet, towel rail was broken, cobwebs throughout, walls all scratched, hair in the plug hole, kettle scaled up, lightbulbs not working.

Friends_and_family Family

8/10

Excellent

25 Oct 2025

Michael

Room was clean and newly decorated.

Bed was very comfy. Quiet area, but good sound insulation anyway. Safe car-park visible from window.

Reasonable menu for breakfast and evening meal.

Maybe benefit from a small magnifying mirror in bathroom for ladies makeup?

Leisure Family

10/10

Exceptional

25 Oct 2025

Alan

The rooms are fantastic, the pub serves amazing food and staff are super. Cant recommend enough

Leisure Self

10/10

Exceptional

21 Oct 2025

Jo-Ann

The room was very comfortable and clean. Tea & Coffee was ample. Just got a snack from the restaurant and the food was excellent.

Leisure Family

10/10

Exceptional

17 Oct 2025

Joyce

The property was very clean, comfy beds, short walk to the Aviator but the bathroom could do with updating as it was very smelly and tired looking..
I would definitely stay again though and recommend it to family and friends.

Leisure Family

4/10

Poor

12 Oct 2025

Sarah

The room was comfortable but the cleanliness was very poor.
We were kept awake by people running back and forth outside the room. Next morning there were drug/gas bottles in the car park.

Friends_and_family Friends

10/10

Exceptional

06 Oct 2025

Georgina

Lovely staff, the bed was really comfortable and the breakfast was freshly cooked - so much better than the usual heat tray types.

Leisure Partner

8/10

Excellent

27 Sep 2025

Thomas

Simply cannot complain at this pricepoint for 2 adults and 2 children (double and 2 single beds).
Large, well lit carpark immediately outside and check in is in the pub/restaurant.
Room was quiet, bathroom was fine, beds were ok.
Cant complain and would stay again.
(Note:Aviator pub/restaurant has bad reviews which put us off and so we ate elsewhere but... it was absolutely heaving all evening so the locals cant be wrong. Would try eating there next time)

Friends_and_family Family

8/10

Excellent

26 Sep 2025

Mariella

Clean Room, Helpful Receptionist, Aircon worked, Shops nearby

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

21 Sep 2025

steve

A regular stay for us
Lovely as always
Room could do the some TLC

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

18 Sep 2025

Jean

Easy to find, separate from pub so nice and quiet, very safe

Leisure Partner

10/10

Exceptional

17 Sep 2025

Linda

Best hotel we have stayed in

We had a lovely stay, rooms airy and large, fabulous shower, tea/coffee making facilities.
Parked the car outside our window.
Breakfast was a bit disappointing, my husband ordered a full English, but when it arrived half the breakfast advertised was missing, living in France this is something he misses.
We enquired the next day but it was still the same. Delivery the day we left 😔 .
Buffet was good.
The staff were great and very friendly
Definitely book with them again.

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

14 Sep 2025

Katie

Nice quiet area in retail park, supermarkets and food places near by, only 7 minute drive to sea front

Leisure Partner

10/10

Exceptional

14 Sep 2025

Richard

Good place for a short stay

The staff are extremely helpful and friendly. The cooked vegetarian breakfast isnt amazing so stick to the continental breakfast. The other food in the pub is good. The rooms are clean, beds are good, quiet rooms. I would stay here again. It is only really a 2 days stay place.

Self

8/10

Excellent

08 Sep 2025

Cilla

Breakfast was great, staff were lovely, but housekeeping wasnt up to standard,
Pubic hairs left in bath, grime under toilet seat around rim, beds were very comfortable but rooms were very basic, no drawers, to put clothes in,

Leisure Family

10/10

Exceptional

07 Sep 2025

John

Clean. Very friendly and helpful staff.

Leisure Partner

8/10

Excellent

07 Sep 2025

DEBBIE

Good just very busy when checking in needed more staff

10/10

Exceptional

07 Sep 2025

Troy

Love ❤️

Leisure Family

8/10

Excellent

07 Sep 2025

Roberta

One night stay

We checked in on the 6th at about 6.30pm and the place was very busy. The reception was welcoming had our booking and we checked in quite quickly given how busy they were. When we got to the accessible room we’d booked it was clear and tidy. Unfortunately there were no towels and only half a roll of toilet paper. Went back to reception and it was even busier and no one on the reception desk but one of the staff who was passing by acknowledged I was waiting and said she’d be back. She asked how could she help and I told her about the towels and she immediately went to get them for me unfortunately she didn’t hear me call out I’d forgotten to mention toilet paper. When she got back I told her and apologised and she could not have been nicer and rush to get me one and said though I misheard she take it directly to the room. I left my partner to wait and when I got to the room she was already there with the toilet paper. I was very impressed she did it all with a smile and was extremely welcoming even though she was rushed off her feet.
My partner did have a problem when showering as he could not get the seat down to shower. The toilet seat was a bit wobbly . We were very tired and not very hungry so opted to get a Salad from the M&S food place next door but the menu for the restaurant looked as if it could meet the needs of families and judging by how busy it was it was very popular. We’d booked continental breakfast in the morning and it was very nice.

Partner

8/10

Excellent

31 Aug 2025

Emma

Our room was clean & comfortable :)

Leisure Family

10/10

Exceptional

28 Aug 2025

Scott

Everything worked

Business Self

10/10

Exceptional

27 Aug 2025

Mary

Great all round. Special thanks to Karen too. Hope to visit again

Leisure Self

8/10

Excellent

27 Aug 2025

Ross

Family stay for the airshow

Check in was easy, staff were friendly, breakfast was offered at a reduced rate before stay so added that on and it was good value/tasty! Room was comfortable enough, location was good, we attended the airshow.

Friends_and_family Family

8/10

Excellent

23 Aug 2025

Gary

The only thing we didn’t like was having to check in at the Pub, but what we did like was the aviator Pub and the staff that worked there.
The waitresses, and bar staff were excellent, free and easy parking was excellent.
located nicely near shops and eateries.

Leisure Family_with_children

10/10

Exceptional

22 Aug 2025

Trevor

Made to feel welcome on arrival.
Very comfortable bed
Walk in shower was very welcome

Leisure Partner

8/10

Excellent

22 Aug 2025

Carol

Very nice hotel & restaurant

8/10

Excellent

21 Aug 2025

Joanie

Lovely friendly staff, great informative check in.
We had a really lovely meal in the pub, food was hot and didn’t have to wait long at all.
Situated near a small retail park, very quiet/peaceful.
Hotel rooms spacious and very clean however the hotel as a whole including the room we were in could do with a little money spent on it.
Mattress’ are very soft!!

10/10

Exceptional

16 Aug 2025

Mark

Very good stay. Convenient and easy.

10/10

Exceptional

10 Aug 2025

Michael

.

10/10

Exceptional

07 Aug 2025

Gary

A lovely room, wetroom needed some shelves for storing bathroom bits and could have done with an extra chair in the room

Leisure Partner

4/10

Poor

07 Aug 2025

Yvonne

Our bathroom particularly the toilet bowl was not clean, there was a hole in the wall connected to bathroom. The restaurant accessories eg. Coffee machine menus holders were not clean

Leisure Partner

10/10

Exceptional

06 Aug 2025

stacy

I was very happy with my stay, lovely room,, comfortable beds, good variety for breakfast and close to beach etc

Leisure Family_with_children

2/10

Poor

03 Aug 2025

Elkie

We only stayed for two nights but would stay again. The room was small but adequate for our 2 night stay, modern layout, nicely furnished & a with a bath as well as shower in the en-suite (which is particularly appreciated by someone who struggles with back pain & struggles to stand up for long to shower). Overall the room was very clean & tidy apart from one thing which I feel does need a mention shower curtain which smelt very unpleasant having been left to dry with no airflow. This could be easily remedied if the when the housekeeper brings clean towels, bathmat etc a fresh shower curtain was put up too. It would only take a couple of minutes to do this & would I’m sure be appreciated by the incoming guest.

10/10

Exceptional

03 Aug 2025

Caroline

Usually stay in premier inn but was double the price!! First time here and i fid think it would be out of the way but ot wasn't.
Nice pub & restaurant and shops nearby.
Will definitely return

Leisure Partner

4/10

Poor

02 Aug 2025

Carol

The smell of urine in bedroom and Expedia ripping me off my room 64.00 through hotel expedia charged me 74 !!!!! Not very happy

Leisure Partner

2/10

Poor

31 Jul 2025

Nicky

No protector on mattress or pillows big disappointment , breakfast was good bathroom smelled

6/10

Pleasant

29 Jul 2025

Verified traveler

Fine but needs a good clean.

Pretty much a contractors stop over. Communal areas dirty bedroom carpets felt grubby and toilet hadnt been cleaned. The room had all the basic needs, tea and coffee facilities and more if you needed it at entrance. Night staff were friendly and helpful on our arrival. Good a/c in the room, firm bed and parking directly outside, just cleanliness is an issue here. Breakfast was ok, depending on your preferences.

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

29 Jul 2025

Barbara

Anniversary Trip

Great visit been many time use this hotel regularly

Partner

8/10

Excellent

27 Jul 2025

Verified traveler

All good

Leisure Family

10/10

Exceptional

19 Jul 2025

Ian

Lovely little hotel

Lovely little hotel at the side of the Aviator pub, check in at the pub was easy and staff are very friendly. The rooms are clean and beds are comfortable and a lovely big screen TV. The food at the pub is good value especially the breakfast.

Partner

8/10

Excellent

19 Jul 2025

Allan

But noisy from passing traffic

6/10

Pleasant

16 Jul 2025

David

Nice Inn. Poor pub.

Nice clean accommodation with ample car parking.
The inn is in the middle of a retail park with few roadside pavements, so local guidance is needed to find the footpaths and subway to get to stores and bus stops.
Unusually for a Marstons the beer in the pub was undrinkable and the wine over chilled to the point of creating crystals.

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

13 Jul 2025

Jane

Lovely staff and room was lovely.

Leisure Partner