Hotel Review: The Port, Eastbourne UK

Dec 5

Seagulls scream as they dip and dive through the wind above us as we stroll down the Victorian pier of Eastbourne on the south coast of England. Beams of light shine through the heavy clouds above like a searchlight across the rocky ocean as I glimpse down through the cracks in the walkways floorboards. Having played around in the arcade we slowly strolled back in the direction of our mid-week getaway at the newly opened The Port Hotel. Breathing fresh air into Eastbourne's hospitality scene The Port offers boutique rooms, beach views and a restaurant that focuses on locally sourced produce within a 30-mile radius.

**Food + Drink 4/5**

Being newly opened the restaurant, situated on the ground floor was energic and full as we sat amongst the talkative crowd. Opening at 3 pm, offering smaller sharing dishes such as a local cheese board or whipped cods row the menu is then boosted come 6 pm with the addition of larger plates such as catch of the day or roasted squash Parmigiana fusing modern British and Mediterranean cuisine.
The menu is seasonal so during our visit in early summer we began with a light starter of olives and rosemary focaccia, followed by grilled king prawns, roasted vegetables and a seasonal tomato and burrata salad. All freshly made using as many locally sourced ingredients as possible dishes are designed to be shared hence the more delicate portions and careful balance of flavours selected to complement each other. Our meal was flavourful and delicious and the recommended English sparkling wine accompanied it even more so.

The bar overlooks the restaurant which adds to the atmosphere as you watch waiters shake up cocktails to order and crack open bottles of wine. It was great to see on the drinks menu had such a large selection of British-produced products from Sussex and Kent from beers to spirits displaying a clear passion for supporting smaller businesses. I would note that my cocktail, which was the daily special, was £15 so you are looking at London pricing in the heart of Eastbourne.

Breakfast is included in the room rate and guests can select a hot dish and drink. Again a small menu but all bases have been covered with a classic full English for carnivores through to a vegan version as well as pastries, pancakes and smoked salmon. I thought the portion size was perfectly filling and flavoursome despite there not being a self-service continental section for guests, quality over quantity here.

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**Aesthetic + Interiors 3.8/5**

In contrast to the hotel's British coastal location, the scheme is Scandinavian-influenced with the ever-popular rosey, sand and warm-toned timber colour palette. The ground floor is the clear hub of the building with its open-plan kitchen, bar and reception area. This space is washed head to toe in dusky pink with cork flooring. A small snug sits to one side featuring Firm Livings Rico and an Elba's Armchair with a footstool by Domkapa, both framing the Marquina Marble fireplace. On either side, shelving displays local artisans' ceramics and a selection of colour-appropriate books.
Moving slowly around the room the modestly sized dining area uses paired back furniture and banquet seating with wall-hung leather-upholstered cushioning. This has been done to maximise space but also create a clear canvas above to display local artwork which is available for guests to purchase.
The clear show stopper of the room is the bar which stands proudly to the left of the front door. The countertop is a smooth concrete poured slab in a rosy pink with oak strips below adding a subtle texture. Shelving units cover the wall behind showcasing bottles with a decorative stone moon in the centre.

Fun Fact: The post-war ideology for Scandinavian design was that homes should be beautiful, functional and attainable for all demographics. However, mass production didn't become available in northern Europe until post-WWII which is why they held onto traditional craftsmanship and easily attainable materials such as timber for so long.

All these materials, colours and design features are then replicated in the hotel's 19 guest rooms. We opted for the sea view room and requested in advance the room with a bathtub for that extra special touch. The attention to detail is fluid throughout the hotel and rooms have quality touches such as kettles from HAY and Hypnos mattresses.

**Facilities + Small Touches 4/5**

Being part of a victorian terrace the hotel doesn't have any additional facilities as space is limited but they do host events throughout the year such as candle-making and cocktail classes. This also extends to activities outside of with hotel with plenty of information available on walks, vineyards and towns within beautiful south of England. It is also clear that the hotel keeps up with the latest trends as they are collaborating with mobile sauna company Samphire Sauna for 2023.
The small in-room touches such as the record player, binoculars and doodle notebook as well as the usual in-room amenities are high quality and thoughtful. An additional and unexpected touch was a glass of wine available for us on the terrace after our check-in which was much appreciated during the sunny afternoon.

Service + Atmosphere 3/5

There is no reception area as such but we were greeted straight away at the door and shown to our room in person by a chatty and personable member of staff. During our stay, the staff were always attentive and sociable and wanted guests to have a fun and memorable time. The service however did drop during dinner as our drinks order was forgotten and our starters took 45 minutes to arrive however the manager was very apologetic and I will put this down to being newly opened with a fresh set of staff.

During restaurant hours the atmosphere is bustling and during summer this overflows nicely onto the outdoor terrace. Outside of this, the hotel is relaxed, welcoming and unpretentious which is refreshing for a boutique property.