Port Hotel

Port Hotel & Restaurant is an award-winning boutique hotel on Eastbourne’s glistening seafront. The hotel opened in 2021, with 19 contemporary bedrooms, a stylish restaurant and cocktail bar all housed in a lovingly restored Victorian townhouse, just steps from the beach.

The hotel’s design concept takes inspiration from the surrounding coastal landscape, with Port’s calming colour palette coming from the monochromatic tones of the pebbled beach and the soft pinkish hue that bounces off the sea at sunset. And this relationship with the beach is reciprocal: on the last Sunday of every month there’s a free hot drink for anyone that pops into Port to collect a rubbish bag and help keep the shoreline clean.

Seasonal dining in Eastbourne

Port’s restaurant has earned itself a great reputation over the last couple of years, with The Guardian recently describing it as ‘excellent’. Head Chef Alex Burtenshaw has made it his mission to source as many ingredients as possible from within a 30 mile radius of the hotel, celebrating the region’s fantastic local produce. The bar is also becoming a destination locally for cocktails – with Happy Hour running Sunday-Thursday from 4pm – 6pm.

Boutique hotel on the south coast

The hotel’s 19 sumptupus rooms come in a variety of sizes and styles, with views of the sea or the town. Dog-friendly and family rooms are available, and there’s also a studio apartment with balcony and full height bay window. All rooms have luxurious Hypnos mattresses, quality linens and contemporary bathrooms with powerful walk-in showers.

Local art exhibitions

As part of a recently formed partnership with local arts organisation The Devonshire Collective, emerging and underrepresented artists from around the South East are invited to present an exhibition of new work at Port, giving guests the opportunity to experience a snapshot of the dynamic art scene in Eastbourne and East Sussex. Check the hotel’s website for latest exhibition details.

Things to do in and around Eastbourne

• Visit the Towner Gallery, painted in a striking rainbow mural by Lothar Götz
• Explore the South Downs Way to the world famous Seven Sisters: a series of white chalk cliffs that stand proudly against the English Channel, running between Seaford and Eastbourne, taking in the famed Beachy Head and Birling Gap
• Enjoy a gentle afternoon paddling along the river at Cuckmere Haven, stopping to enjoy a picnic by the river
• Read  our locals’ guide to Eastbourne for more ideas and inspiration

Port Hotel in the press

“Simple, fresh, flavourful and championing local produce and producers, their menu is small but packs a punch.” — Marie Claire

“For too long Eastbourne has lacked a design-led bolthole, so the new Port Hotel is a game changer!” — Condé Nast Traveller

“The restaurant rivals the very best that is offered in Eastbourne’s well-known foodie destination neighbour Brighton” — Absolute Magazine