Hotels in Southend-on-Sea

Southend-on-Sea Hotels

Situated on the golden eastern coast of Essex, Southend-on-Sea is a large, busting resort town that buzzes with round-the-clock activity, from the blinking lights of the enormous wooden pier to the electrifying nightlife of bars and traditional pubs. Its wide beach boasts sweeping golden sands backed by pretty pebbles and clear ocean waters. With plenty of family-friendly daytime activities on offer - from the endless neon-washed arcades to the old-fashioned amusement park - Southend-on-Sea makes for a fun filled holiday.

Things to see

Southend-on-Sea thrums with energetic urban excitement. Wander through the bustling streets to the Southend Pleasure Pier, which stretches some 1.3 miles from the shore - the longest pleasure pier in the world - across the rippling blue sea waters. At its end you’ll find entertainment for the whole family, where many pier-performers enchant and dazzle with street entertainment, ice-cream salesman offer indulgent tasty treats, and the soft blue horizon shimmers in the amber afternoon sun. The pier’s entrance is home to a large, neon-washed amusement park, complete with roller coasters and bumper cars - which are guaranteed to tempt the parents too. After all the excitement, cool off at one of Southend-on-Sea’s cultural galleries, from the Focal Point - which showcases contemporary visual art - to the eclectic collection at the small Edwardian Beecroft gallery. As the sun draws in, find a quiet seafood restaurant and relax with a candlelit dinner.

Hotels in Southend-on-Sea

Southend-on-Sea hotels and accommodation is suited to all types of holiday and budget. For a quiet, refined holiday with a taste of elegant English service, stay in one of the fine 4-star boutique hotels and guesthouses, whose hosts welcome you with a smile and tend to your every need. Several centrally located hotel complexes offer comfortable 3-star accommodation at agreeable prices, with rooms large enough to accommodate a whole family. For a touch of sublime solitude, the surrounding Essex countryside hides dozens of 4-star B&Bs.

Where to stay

Although Southend-on-Sea is a large sprawling town, staying anywhere within its buzzing streets means that you’ll be at the heart of the action and excitement. Farmers' markets pop up at the weekend - selling fresh local produce - taverns and restaurants speckle the side roads, and of course, the beach promenade echoes with laughter. Staying slightly east of the centre - just beneath the gorgeous greenery of Southchurch park - is more suited for those seeking a quieter stay with easy access to the centre. For an idyllic romantic holiday, stay in the nearby historic village of Burnham-on-Crouch.

How to get to Southend-on-Sea

Southend-on-Sea’s redbrick railway station provides regular and direct services to London, and many town’s and villages along the way. From London, you can catch connecting services to destinations throughout the country. Two A-roads - the A127 and A13 - connect Southend-on-Sea with London and the rest of the country, making the town easily accessible by car. You can even descend through England’s baby-blue skies into London Southend Airport - which offers limited flights to European destinations. From there, a local bus or affordable cab ride will find you at Southend’s bustling beachfront in no time.