Cooden Beach Hotel

8/10

Excellent

21 Jun 2026

Susan

We go there a lot and have been doing for years. Staff generally great. Nice to be on the beach, especially in the summer. Despite being refurbished a couple of years ago, the upper corridors look a bit grubby and in need of a few fresh coats of paint. Upstairs carpets also look grubby. And we really don't like the new decor. We preferred it as it was.The rooms are nice and clean when you arrive and housekeeping is good. There are a few issues with the new bathrooms which could do with some attention. Induction at the spa was really poor. I and other people who'd come just for the day we're left with no idea how anything worked! That member of the spa staff needs training properly. The person who did my massage though was great.

Partner

6/10

Pleasant

20 Jun 2026

peter

Food gone down in quality and expensive.Menu change bad decision from previous visits.wine so expensive.

Family

8/10

Excellent

19 Jun 2026

John H

Lovely Hotel with friendly staff and good food.
However, restaurant staff need more training as several times mistakes were made with our food and drink orders.

Get this done and we would have given top marks.

We did enjoy our three days break.

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

11 Jun 2026

Nicola

We had an amazing stay, the hotel and staff are fabulous. The spa is a little on the small side and when busy doesn’t offer many areas to escape everyone, but the treatments are fantastic and well worth the money. Overall a fantastic stay! Thank you, we will be back!

Friends_and_family Friends

4/10

Poor

07 Jun 2026

Sue

I struggle to understand how this is a 4 star hotel, one bath towel in a double room. Asked reception for another and the expectation was for us to come down and collect it! Hotel public areas refurbished nicely however corridors to rooms haven't seen a decent makeover in what seems like years. Narrow corridors, squeaking floorboards, old fashioned keys to rooms. Shower door had the biggest gap. Breakfast was their only saving grace.

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

02 Jun 2026

Philippa

Excellent and friendly staff - kindly accommodated an early check in. Thank you

Friends_and_family Friends

4/10

Poor

28 May 2026

Richard

We booked The Relais Cooden beach via Expedia particularly for its location and spa facilities. We had booked the \"Cosy double room\" because that was all that was left. On arrival we tried to book spa treatments but there were no available bookings during our three night stay. This was disappointing as there was no mention on the Expedia website that you needed to book in advance. Apparently, guests who booked directly with the hotel enjoyed free use of the spa whereas booking through Expedia there was an additional charge which we had to pay. Also, spa shower not working. If all this had been clear on the website we wouldn't have booked.
No lifts and no help to carry luggage. Whilst I accept the sq ft of our room is on the website, it really is a shock how small it is. For a single traveller it might be Ok but for a couple with luggage in my opinion it's not up to the standard of a 4 star hotel. If you are a couple then I strongly suggest you avoid this room. While some rooms have air conditioning, this room does not and it's very uncomfortable at night in hot weather. It would make a good cupboard.
The location of the hotel is excellent but it is a bit out the way with no restaurants or bars in the immediate vicinity. Inside the hotel there is no specific bar/lounge area, just a pool room that could be utilised better. There is a lovely outside bar/restaurant area with sea views but the service is abysmal. Expect long waits to be served or get your bill.

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

24 May 2026

Michael

Friendly staff, great breakfast and nice little spa area. Hotel is in a wonderful location as right on beach which is unusual in England.

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

24 May 2026

Dick Powell

Service from all staff members was excellent.
Quality of meals including breakfast could not be faulted.

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

18 May 2026

Edward

Lovely hotel in a great location, we've been before and will stay again.

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

17 May 2026

Howard

Very nice stay in lovely surroundings on beachfront. Friendly staff, good breakfast.

No problems at all with our visit.

Partner

8/10

Excellent

11 May 2026

Richard

Overall it was a good stay, staff service was great, just let down a bit by an aging hotel that needs updating. Saying that, lovely position and I will be back, but the rooms do need a refresh!

Friends_and_family Friends

8/10

Excellent

10 May 2026

Paul

Staff generally very supportive and welcoming. Very good breakfast selection and quality with prompt service. Rooms well serviced and comfortable but can be hot with afternoon sun and external noise limits ability to have windows open.

Friends

8/10

Excellent

09 May 2026

Tony

Food was marvelous, staff just need to be a bit quicker in serving drinks and refills, waited 15 minutes to be served on the terrace on Friday afternoon, the server , not the trainee only seemed interested in serving tables with the young girls on

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

04 May 2026

Jade

Very small room (booked the cosy room), but it had a lovely view and window. If I didn’t it would be a little claustrophobic.
Very small spa but luckily nobody was in there. Spa isn’t included for people staying the night so you have to pay £15 per person per hour.
Beautiful beach and attentive staff. I’d return ☺️

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

04 May 2026

Emma

Good selection for breakfast. Coeliac friendly as well which is very reassuring.

Friends_and_family Friends

10/10

Exceptional

04 May 2026

Rachel

Staff were very friendly, food was very tasty. Will defo be back

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

04 May 2026

Roger

I sent my Carer “Niki” (me, now with Parkinson’s), on a restful week’s break. She told me and I can confirm having stayed at the same, excellent ‘Relais Cooden Beach Hotel and Spa' (two years previously with my beloved late Wife, Pamela), this IS a really lovely and well-organised Hotel.
With very easy access to beautiful Bexhill, Hastings, Eastbourne and Brighton by the ADJOINING Cooden Beach (Southern Railway) Station.
There is a Spa (of course) and delicious food from the 'motor-racing’ inspired Restaurant.
Very worthwhile visit.

Self

10/10

Exceptional

25 Apr 2026

Gareth

Everything was perfect to be honest.

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

18 Apr 2026

Ashley

Relaxing stay by the sea

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

07 Apr 2026

Laura

Great hotel right on the beach. Staff were friendly and helpful, and food at the restaurant was great (we had breakfast, lunch and dinner over 2 days). Small spa area which was a nice treat after a days cycling! Our room was on the small side but it was perfectly fine for a short stay (and the bathroom was big!) Would recommend!

Partner

6/10

Pleasant

04 Apr 2026

Sarah

Room was clean, bed was comfy and towels were fluffy. Evening meal was pretty disappointing, very much lacking in flavour. Burger came with bacon which was not mentioned in menu and was therefore not suitable.
Breakfast was good

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

04 Apr 2026

Vanessa

Booked a short stay first-time visit and everything was perfect! Room clean & comfortable, staff friendly & attentive, food served hot & cocktails delicious! Spa therapist Steph was amazing and would highly recommend a treatment.

Friends

10/10

Exceptional

03 Apr 2026

Paul

Great hotel and stay. Can't fault it...friendly & helpful staff, tasty evening meal & breakfast, comfortable room, with fantastic sea view and enjoyable spa facilities (worth the additional payment)!

Partner

8/10

Excellent

30 Mar 2026

Jessica Sousa

The continental breakfast selection was quite limited, with only a few croissants, a single type of yoghurt, and one bowl of fruit available. There wasn’t much variety on that side which was a bit disappointing. However, the hot breakfast was good and made freshly

Family

10/10

Exceptional

29 Mar 2026

Gillian

Friendly and accommodating staff. Room clean and had everything we needed. Very tasty breakfast with attentive and pleasant staff service.
I would recommend this hotel.

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

23 Mar 2026

Toria

The location was perfect, it was quiet overnight, staff were lovely and helpful, the food was really good. Parking easy. All in all a lovely hotel

Partner

8/10

Excellent

16 Mar 2026

Jane

I eventually found a double room which I thought was good ( my first one was cold) only to find that there was a humming sound that kept me awake coming from the two ventilators/generators on the roof outside my window BUT Lauren from reception was fantastic and is an asset to Cooden Beach Hotel, well done Lauren and the other members of staff👍The Spa massage was great but I thought a little pricey, having said the above I would still recommend Cooden Beach

Friends_and_family Family

8/10

Excellent

14 Feb 2026

Olivia

Nice room everything we needed.

4/10

Poor

03 Feb 2026

Sarah

the room was very small with no space for working. It was also very hot even without the heating on. The worst part was the location. It was at the top of the stairs and lots of people were having conversations outside my room and keeping me awake. I really didn't get enough sleep last night when I had had a very early start.

Business

10/10

Exceptional

01 Feb 2026

Nicola

Had a wonderful stay, food was lovely, room was spacious with lovely decor. Treatment in the spa was fabulous. Very nice stay, thank you, we will be back!

10/10

Exceptional

26 Jan 2026

Carol

Everything, throughly recommend if youre looking for relaxation.

Leisure Self

2/10

Poor

23 Jan 2026

Louise

Room was far too hot and no air con.

Partner

8/10

Excellent

18 Jan 2026

ISHA

Had a lovely stay at this beachfront hotel. Room was clean, the staff was friendly and there was ample parking. The food was nice and the cocktails were amazing. Will stay again.

Leisure Partner

10/10

Exceptional

16 Jan 2026

Allister

Another super stay. Great hospitality and super food. The spa was excellent as was the room. We really enjoyed the trip. Thank you.

10/10

Exceptional

12 Jan 2026

denise

Everything was excellent.
All staff were super friendly and very professional in their roles.
Room was clean , warm, all very good.
We could not fault any part of our Three day stay.

Leisure Family

10/10

Exceptional

12 Jan 2026

denise

Every part of our trip was perfect.
Reception staff were so friendly, polite, and helpful.
Bar staff very proffesional and friendly.
restaurant staff outstanding, food very good.
Clean room, lovely girls cleaning the room.
And not forgetting the Spa staff.
A perfect three day stay we will be booking again.

Leisure Family

8/10

Excellent

11 Jan 2026

Sheri

The room was clean but I wasn’t overly happy that the bathroom did not have obscured glass as the blind would be see through with the light on.
The food at the wedding was excellent but breakfast next day was a bit disappointing - it took ages to come and my poached eggs were totally hard.

Friends_and_family Friends

10/10

Exceptional

11 Jan 2026

Christine

Our stay ticked all the boxes

Leisure

10/10

Exceptional

21 Dec 2025

jacqui

Great hotel we always stay here when visiting family in Sussex

Friends_and_family Family

8/10

Excellent

19 Dec 2025

Jacqueline

Good quality fixtures and fittings in our bedroom/ bathroom

Friends_and_family Friends

6/10

Pleasant

14 Dec 2025

Thomas

It needs a bit of TLC

Leisure Family

8/10

Excellent

10 Dec 2025

Julie

Some healthy breakfast items were tinned

Partner

8/10

Excellent

30 Nov 2025

Chris

Staff great, room warm and clean and restaurant food first class.

Business_and_leisure Partner

10/10

Exceptional

30 Nov 2025

Garry

Didn't like that putting a service charge on when buying a drink at the bar every time.

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

29 Nov 2025

Philippa

Comfortable stay good food and excellent staff

Partner

8/10

Excellent

24 Nov 2025

David

Good location, good service

6/10

Pleasant

24 Nov 2025

Peter

Overall our stay at Cooden Beach was really very good , staff were friendly and efficient, rooms were clean and well stocked and the food was first class . The Spa was very nice apart from the steam room being too hot and no way of controling the steam and the sauna had no control either, the floor was a bit too dirty for our liking and we considered £100 for an hour facial massage way too expensive. However we would consider staying again

Leisure Partner

10/10

Exceptional

18 Nov 2025

Carol

Stayed several times and its always a positive time.staff are friendly and efficient hotel is clean and the food is good quality.

Friends_and_family Friends

10/10

Exceptional

09 Nov 2025

sybil

Yes to all your questions we had a great stay service was great food excellent would recommend to friends thank you again

Friends_and_family Family

8/10

Excellent

09 Nov 2025

Chris

Yes, was great on arrival but NOT cleaned after first night!
Restaurant staff excellent service 😊

Leisure Partner

10/10

Exceptional

07 Nov 2025

Fiona

Friendly staff

Leisure Partner

10/10

Exceptional

05 Nov 2025

Miss Kishi

Really lovely hotel. Big difference since it was refurbished. Nice staff, good food, quiet location…

Family_with_children

6/10

Pleasant

05 Nov 2025

Jackie

i don't have a pet .
breakfast seemed quite rushed if you came to sit around 9.45 they were clearing just after 10am
and you had to order as soon as you sat so not allowing you to have much time to eat from the continental
i feel it would be a good idea to have a coffee pot left at the table as opposed to keep asking for a refill.
our first breakfast was cold and the bacon was like a leather slipper not what i would expect from this sort of establishment.
albeit the staff are all very helpful and pleasant.

Leisure Partner

10/10

Exceptional

05 Nov 2025

janet

Everything stood out

Friends_and_family Family

10/10

Exceptional

04 Nov 2025

Emily

Excellent stay, 10/10!

Leisure

10/10

Exceptional

03 Nov 2025

Margaret

We had a lovely room with sea view and little terrace on ground floor. Our dog was very well cared for with treats bed and bowls! Staff were fantastic, friendly offering fresh water for our dog ect Good breakfast. would recommend and stay again. Thank you

Leisure Pet

8/10

Excellent

01 Nov 2025

PAMELA

Everything was fine with our stay, apart from the water being off throughout the whole hotel on the Sunday morning. This lasted for several hours. When it eventually came back on, we had to really rush to shower and get ready for a lunchtime function.
Very stressful and it spoilt our visit.

Leisure Partner

8/10

Excellent

01 Nov 2025

barbara

Staff in the resturant and the spa were friendly engaging and helpful.
the hotel is right on the beach and is wonderful.

Leisure Self

6/10

Pleasant

31 Oct 2025

DR SHANTHINI COWLEY

Size of the room. Our particular check in woman wasn't very warm. Quite an aggressive tall man at breakfast (I was going over to see my husband and I was shouted at from across the breakfast room). Most staff were nice though.

Leisure Friends

10/10

Exceptional

28 Oct 2025

Robert

the room was very good especially the bed. The staff all were very courteous and friendly

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

24 Oct 2025

Pip

Amazing setting on the beach
Close to Delaware Paviallion
Friendly staff
Clean modern room

Leisure Family

10/10

Exceptional

22 Oct 2025

Carol

Stayed here several times and its always very welcoming. Love the peace and quiet within the hotel.

Leisure Friends

10/10

Exceptional

22 Oct 2025

Sarah

Was delighted to return to the Relais Cooden Beach so soon after my last visit. The rooms are comfortable, service very friendly and the food is excellent. Everything I need after a long journey and a busy day at work.

Business

10/10

Exceptional

20 Oct 2025

Tina

Fabulous stay

Leisure Partner

10/10

Exceptional

18 Oct 2025

Christine

The Relais Cooden Beach hotel was excellent in all respects, the staff were all superb and gave over and above what one would normally expect. One small problem was with the walk in shower - although it had full grab rails around the shower valve there were no support rails between the door and the valve position, probably 2.5 m distance and my disabled husband did not feel it was safe to traverse this distance with no support as he walks with 2 sticks, no problem if in a wheel chair but to walk with 2 sticks on a wet / slippery surface was dangerous. it would be beneficial if grab rails were positioned to give secure help around the perimeter, a minor detail for able bodied but with dodgy legs etc a big No No. otherwise everything was great

10/10

Exceptional

15 Oct 2025

Jenny

Lovely overnight stay. Great room and food was excellent

Leisure Friends

8/10

Excellent

15 Oct 2025

Robert

Although we had an enjoyable stay , staff could of been a little more understanding and helpful about the mix up of our booking about our little dog, expecially as Sunday evening was so quiet. Breakfast was good ,portion size of cooked breakfast a little small

Leisure

10/10

Exceptional

06 Oct 2025

Kevin

Great brief interlude on the coast. Good breakfast and very pleasant staff

Leisure

6/10

Pleasant

05 Oct 2025

Chris

We were in the annex overlooking car park so felt like a motel! Lacked atmosphere and dinning room dirty at breakfast (we were first in to eat)!
More a three than a four star.

Business_and_leisure Partner

10/10

Exceptional

05 Oct 2025

Mark

Great hotel right on beach

Leisure Partner

10/10

Exceptional

04 Oct 2025

Paul

Lovely hotel.

Lovely 2 day stay. Great hotel with amazing staff. Everyone made us feel welcome. Easy parking, great food.

Friends_and_family Family

10/10

Exceptional

02 Oct 2025

Robert

We had a excellant stay, the staff were very polite, friendly and helpful.

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

28 Sep 2025

Kayleigh

Staff were very professional and accomodating. Everything was clean and tidy. Breakfast was amazing

Partner

8/10

Excellent

26 Sep 2025

peter

Expensive full English breakfast not very much only one of each product!

Leisure

6/10

Pleasant

26 Sep 2025

Helen

Disappointing stay

Our room was in the annexe block. For the amount we paid, we expected more comfort. The decor was shabby, there was no seating in the room for 2 people and not warm enough to sit outside on decking- basically room too small for two people with little space for moving around comfortably. There were insufficient plugs eg for hair dryer in front of mirror. The shower curtain had mould on. We have visited the Cooden Beach for meals many times over the last 30 years so it was a real shame to be disappointed by our stay. Fortunately our evening meal and breakfast were excellent

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

24 Sep 2025

John

First time here since updating and very impressed. Room was comfortable and spacious.Only sorry that the weather prevented us from making use of the private terrace. Helpful and frienly staff. Super restaurant. Will be back

Leisure Partner

10/10

Exceptional

23 Sep 2025

Mark

Clean room

Leisure Partner

8/10

Excellent

20 Sep 2025

Michael Arthur

Stylish & spacious sea view room.
Easy parking.Efficient and personable staff.
Reasonable restaurant prices.

10/10

Exceptional

14 Sep 2025

Garry

Stunning location, great staff, 5*

My wife and I had an amazing time Food is excellent, staff are awesome, we'll be back! Happy birthday to me :)

Partner

8/10

Excellent

09 Sep 2025

Graham

This is my second visit since the refurbishment a few years ago. Alas, my room was again missing a two pin socket for razor or toothbrush charging. Something I find very annoying. There is also no plug in the basin; leaving the tap running to wash seems to me to be a waste of water.

The door again was far from sound proof, anyone talking in the corridor is very apparent.

Other than that, the room was clean and comfortable, as was the bar and restaurant. Reception is quirky, a table in a room with a couple of people stationed at it feels odd and out of place, but it functions.

The location is fabulous, right on the beach. However, as there is little competition around the price for a stay is higher than I would have hoped for. It claims to be a four star hotel, which in many respects it meets (IMHO), but the points made above do let it down slightly.

Leisure Friends

8/10

Excellent

08 Sep 2025

helen

I was not happy the hotel taking a service charge twice without asking if I wanted to pay one , especially as the charges for what we had I consider quite expensive,also as we were in a disabled room I thought a small frie might have been in room as we had medication ,I suspect they will say we could have requested one but it's the first hotel I have been in without one,the hotel is pleasant but very remote .

Leisure Family

10/10

Exceptional

08 Sep 2025

Ian

We have stayed at this hotel for the past 5 years and have seen the transformation that has occurred over recent times. My sister and I stayed with our elderly mother for 5 nights. I have to say that the staff at this hotel are exceptional. So friendly, kind and hard working. The half board menu was delicious and couldn’t fault the food. The rooms are of a high quality and whilst there was no availability this time for a mobility access room we found the ground floor room perfect for mums needs.

Leisure Family

10/10

Exceptional

08 Sep 2025

Jon

Beautiful setting by the sea

Great hotel right on the beach with big outside area both for drinking/eating or just soaking up the sun.
Lovely room, comfy bed and pillows , great service.
We ate in the hotels restaurant ,which I do not often do, so glad that we did, the food was excellent both for dinner and breakfast. Hope to return in the future.

Partner

8/10

Excellent

07 Sep 2025

Peter

Great short break with easy access to Bexhill and lovely views from terrace over the sea

10/10

Exceptional

04 Sep 2025

Verified traveler

Staff friendly and helpful. Room very comfortable. A very enjoyable experience.

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

02 Sep 2025

Sarah

Gorgeous spot and perfect hotel

Absolutely loved my stay here, so much so that I’m planning on a return trip next month. I usually hate business trips but in this case I enjoyed my time away from home. Food was delicious and I loved watched the sea while I ate my meals. Room was cosy and immaculate. Special thank you to Housekeeping for everything they did!

Business

8/10

Excellent

02 Sep 2025

Kerry

A perfect location, and a wonderfully quiet area. We were greeted with a warm welcome. Our rooms were incredibly clean and comfortable. The decking area with outdoor seating, and the indoor lounge areas are well designed. The staff were all extremely friendly.

Leisure Family

8/10

Excellent

02 Sep 2025

Daniel

Need more than 3 disable parking bays. Disagree with 10% service charge being added, even for just a coffee. The service is slow in the dining area. Food good but expensive. Overall we had a great stay and would go again at some point. Room was great with sea view Znd balcony. Couldn’t ask for better.

10/10

Exceptional

01 Sep 2025

Verified traveler

Beach location with great service and lovely food.

Had a lovely stay and thought the whole experience was great value for money. Every aspect of the service across reception, outdoor cafe and dining/breakfast room was really good. The quality of food also surpassed our expectations - I had a wonderful fruit & cinnamon warm scone with jam & cream that was totally delicious! I was also pleasantly surprised that there was a good choice of non-alcoholic drinks including a nice white wine. Our room was a little dated, but comfortable and clean and for the price we'd paid very good value.
The location is perfect for a quiet seaside stay with the train station just round the corner. Would stay again and next time book some spa treatments.

Friends_and_family Friends

10/10

Exceptional

29 Aug 2025

David

Nice hotel. Staff very friendly. Room was nice if a little compact. Very clean. We had room 203 which was a dormer room so sloping ceilings. Not so good if your tall, particularly in the shower. Cant speak fo the other rooms though. Plenty of parking when we were there.

Leisure Partner

8/10

Excellent

28 Aug 2025

Roland

No lift big failing.,Eggs royale great but burnt bread.Room double bed small floor space and couldn’t lock bedroom door.Lunch chicken dish not very filling.Having breakfast at 7am and staff hoovering reception

6/10

Pleasant

26 Aug 2025

Lesley

One room was so hot. Not reasonable for sleeping. Shame because otherwise it was a lovely family friendly hotel in a great location.

Leisure Family

8/10

Excellent

26 Aug 2025

James

The cooden beach hotel

10/10

Exceptional

24 Aug 2025

Marie Suzanne

A lovely hotel with plenty of staff and comfortable.

All I would say is it would be nice to include a hairdryer in the rooms

Partner

8/10

Excellent

24 Aug 2025

Marcus

Good decor, quality service

Leisure Self

8/10

Excellent

19 Aug 2025

John

The Sea is right there

10/10

Exceptional

18 Aug 2025

Barbara

Fantastic location. Lovely staff on the whole.
Outside grassy area had a lot of cigarette butts which was unpleasant. Also outside seating on grass a few more options would be good. Most of the seats were really low.
Will definitely be back.

10/10

Exceptional

17 Aug 2025

Trevor Rex

Fantastic breakfast

Leisure Partner

2/10

Poor

17 Aug 2025

Mick

There was a wedding going on at the property with loud music playing to midnight!

And all the parking was occupied by what I assume is wedding guests and we struggled to park near the hotel.

Business_and_leisure Partner