Southend On Sea

Southend's places to stay tell you a lot about the town before you've even arrived. This is a resort built for straightforward seaside holidays, and the accommodation reflects that: a long run of guest houses and small hotels, many of them just a short walk from the beach, alongside a handful of self-catering cottages and a holiday park for those who'd rather bring their own base with them.

Guest houses like Beaches Guest House, Edelweiss Guest House and Malvern Lodge Guest House - Close to Beach are typical of the town's traditional seafront character, while Hamiltons Boutique Hotel offers something a bit more considered for couples wanting a quieter stay. Larger names such as Holiday Inn Southend and Park Inn Palace Southend-on-Sea suit those after more familiar comforts, and Camelia Hotel and Haven House Hotel fill out the middle ground for families and groups on a classic seaside weekend.

For a longer stay, or if you'd rather cook your own meals and come and go as you please, the self-catering cottages give a different feel to a visit. Happi-Leigh-on-Sea, Ocean Breeze and Sea Leigh all put you closer to Leigh-on-Sea's quieter, more villagey stretch of the seafront, a good contrast to the busier centre. Riverside Village Holiday Park, meanwhile, is the pick for anyone wanting a self-contained holiday park base.

Eating out follows the same relaxed, seaside pattern. Bella John Fish And Chips is the obvious choice for a classic beach lunch, while BB's Coffee And Muffins, Buns Bros, Cafe Luigi and Cafe Rebecca cover coffee, cake and casual meals through the day. Beaumont Lounge and Dining-Saurs add some variety for evening dining, and out towards Shoeburyness, Eastbeach Shoeburyness Limited makes a good reason to walk further along the seafront.