Essex may not be your first choice for a staycation. We get it, the East Londoners seaside town doesn’t have the best rap and even entering town on a gloriously sunny day you are faced with the sad looking high street which all UK seaside towns have perfected. But a 20 minute wander along the coast to Thorpe Bay, past the usual British seaside suspects, brings you to the seafront Roslin Beach Hotel.
On arriving at the hotel, we’re met by the wrap around outdoor veranda (‘The Terrace‘) playing low fi balearic music and Pimms flowing. The vibe reminds us of luxe but characterful boutique hotels of the California coast with the laid back beachy colour scheme offset with glitzy details; a huge guilted mirror here – a giant pink rabbit (we visited at Easter) over there. To use a favourite travel cliché – this place is instagrammable.
All this before we get to our room by following the banana leaf patterned wallpaper up one flight to a lush marine coloured room, complete with a balcony to gaze out over the bay. Small touches take the room from being too safe and obvious in design. We loved the touch of a Crosby record player complete with vintage records to choose from; encouraging us to unplug and melt into the cushy bed until it was time for dinner.
Talking about dinner, discovering that the hotel housed an AA Two Rosettes Restaurant and were delighted to be seated by the passionate waiting staff with a view over the water that was glistening by the moonlight. We started our dinner with a house cocktail and then proceeded to enjoy a varied but incredibly well curated menu.
Beautiful spring asparagus was loving topped with crushed hazelnuts and creamy mayonnaise on my plate ; exquisite quality seared yellow fin tuna on my husband’s. For mains, our waitress enticed me towards the Montgomery Cheddar soufflé (what a babe, thank you) and my other half to the steak with bérnaise. Both were fantastic and totally exceeded our expectation of what food can be found in this part of the country.
Rolling back up the stairs, it’s time for a bath and a herbal tea out on the balcony (not so rock and roll here, folks) before a great night’s sleep. Sidenote, readers; this is a civilised #CocoCouples location ; swap propping up the bar until the wee hours with Netflix and Chill, okay?
Waking up to the sound of gulls and the sunlight peeking through the curtains, all that’s left to do is grab some breakfast in the elaborate breakfast room between trees and silk flowers before it is set up for the hotel’s famous afternoon teas.
A mere 20 hours after checking in, we step out, blinking in the sunshine revitalised by some seaside R&R and promise to come back next time we need a reset… there’s a whole spa we didn’t get chance to try out!
For more information and to book a stay at Roslin Beach Hotel go to www.roslinhotel.com
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