The best boutique hotels in East Sussex place you in some of the most idyllic locations in the United Kingdom.

East Sussex is a charming and picturesque county located in the southeast of England, along the coast of the English Channel. It offers a blend of historic and cultural attractions, scenic landscapes, and diverse beaches, making it an ideal destination for travelers looking for a relaxed and memorable experience.

From the iconic white cliffs of Beachy Head to the medieval town of Lewes, East Sussex is full of unique sights, sounds, and experiences that will captivate visitors of all interests and ages.

We hand-picked top-rated boutique hotels in East Sussex to consider for your next getaway!

 

The 10 Best East Sussex Boutique Hotels

 

1. The Jolly Sportsman

9.2 Average Rating
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The Jolly Sportsman is a boutique hotel located in Lewes, 14 km from Glyndebourne Opera House. It offers a range of amenities including a garden, private parking, a terrace, and a restaurant. The hotel also has a bar and provides guests with concierge services and free WiFi.

Each guest room is equipped with a flat-screen TV and cable channels, as well as a private bathroom with a shower, free toiletries, and a hairdryer. All rooms come with bed linen and towels.

A full English/Irish breakfast is available every morning at the hotel.

The Jolly Sportsman is a great base for guests who want to explore Lewes and the surrounding area, with activities such as hiking readily available.

The hotel is located 21 km from Victoria Gardens and Brighton Dome, and the nearest airport is London Gatwick Airport, which is 34 km away.

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2. Downs Hotel

9.0 Average Rating
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Downs Hotel is a charming inn located in Stanmer, 3.2 km from AMEX Stadium. It offers a range of amenities including a restaurant, free private parking, and a bar, as well as free WiFi. The inn is non-smoking and is located within 5.2 km of Victoria Gardens and 5.4 km of Brighton Dome, and 4.8 km from Brighton Marina.

Each room in the inn is equipped with a coffee machine and a private bathroom with free toiletries and a hairdryer.

A full English/Irish breakfast is available each morning at the hotel.

The boutique hotel is located 5.7 km from Brighton railway station and 5.9 km from Preston Park. The nearest airport is London Gatwick Airport, which is 44 km away.

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3. Red Brighton Blue

9.5 Average Rating
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Red Brighton Blue is a hotel located in Brighton & Hove, within walking distance of popular attractions such as Brighton Pier and The Royal Pavilion. It offers accommodation with a terrace and is close to other popular destinations such as Brighton Dome and Komedia. The hotel is a 17-minute walk from the Brighton Centre and Victoria Gardens.

All rooms at Red Brighton Blue are equipped with clothes storage, a flat-screen TV, and a private bathroom with free toiletries and free WiFi.

Guests can enjoy a full English, vegetarian, or vegan breakfast at the Cosiez Cafe, which is the hotel’s partner cafe and is located a short walk away. The cafe offers a set menu with a full English, vegetarian, or vegan choice and includes coffee or tea.

Red Brighton Blue is a 20-minute walk from the I360 Observation Tower and 1.7 km from Churchill Square Shopping Centre. The nearest airport, London Gatwick, is 38 km away.

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4. The Driftwood Bexhill

9.5 Average Rating
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The Driftwood Bexhill is a boutique hotel located in Bexhill, just 300 m from Bexhill Beach. It features a restaurant, non-smoking rooms, and free WiFi throughout the property. The hotel is conveniently located near popular attractions such as Eastbourne Miniature Steam Railway Adventure Park, Eastbourne Pier, and Glyndebourne Opera House, and is 49 km from Brighton Dome and 50 km from Brighton railway station.

Each room at The Driftwood Bexhill is equipped with a desk, flat-screen TV, private bathroom, bed linen, and towels. Some rooms have views of the garden, and all rooms come with a kettle, wardrobe, and coffee machine.

The boutique hotel offers a daily breakfast with options for a full English/Irish, vegetarian, or gluten-free meal.

AMEX Stadium is 43 km away, while Victoria Gardens is 49 km from the hotel. The nearest airport, London Gatwick, is 84 km away.

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5. The Southern Belle

9.2 Average Rating
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The Southern Belle is a 19th-century luxury boutique hotel located adjacent to the Brighton seafront. It features a light and spacious rooms with TVs and tea/coffee-making facilities. Some rooms offer a partial sea view. The hotel also has a welcoming bar with an open fireplace, a variety of craft beers, Sussex ales, artisan gins, cocktails, wines, whiskies, and hot drinks. The bar also features a cocktail lounge and serves food 7 days a week.

A cooked breakfast with lighter options is available for hotel guests. The i360 Observation Tower is a 7-minute walk from the hotel, while Hove or Brighton Rail Station is just 5 minute drive away. The Royal Pavilion and Brighton Pier are 20 minutes’ walk from The Southern Belle.

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6. The Bell in Ticehurst

9.0 Average Rating
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Bell In Ticehurst is a boutique hotel located in the village of Ticehurst in East Sussex. The property offers guests the choice between rooms and lodges in an old coaching inn. Each accommodation has its own unique style, some with copper bathtubs and exposed brick walls. All rooms have hardwood floors, Somnus mattresses, and en-suite bathrooms.

The hotel has a bar that serves ales and an English restaurant. The nearest cities are Royal Tunbridge Wells, 17.2 km away, and Hastings, 28.2 km away. The National Trust – Scotney Castle is a 12-minute drive from the hotel.

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7. Hotel Una

9.2 Average Rating
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Hotel Una is a stylish boutique hotel located in the heart of Brighton, near the Brighton Rail Station. It offers modern, individually decorated rooms with amenities such as flat-screen TVs, complimentary toiletries, and some rooms featuring a balcony, sauna, hot tub, or freestanding bath.

The hotel has a bar that serves cocktails and a variety of whiskeys, cognacs, and champagne. The Brighton Pier is a 20-minute walk away and London is just an hour away by train. The hotel offers free WiFi and public parking is available nearby.

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8. Gravetye Manor

9.7 Average Rating
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Gravetye Manor is an award-winning Elizabethan manor house located in East Grinstead, England, on 1000 acres of grounds and gardens. The property offers rooms with garden views, flat-screen TVs, minibars, tea and coffee facilities, and en-suite bath or shower rooms with bathrobes and hairdryers. The restaurant provides views of the gardens and serves ingredients grown in the Kitchen Garden or sourced from local suppliers.

Guests can enjoy exploring the extensive grounds and gardens, including a 3-acre lake, and engage in local activities such as golfing and walking. The Royal Ashdown Forest Golf Club is just 20 minutes away. The boutique hotel offers free WiFi and free onsite parking.

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9. Vive Hotel

9.3 Average Rating
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Vive Hotel is a property located in Hastings, offering guests a comfortable stay near the beach. The accommodation comes with a flat-screen TV, a private bathroom with a shower, and a kitchenette equipped with a fridge, microwave, and stovetop. Guests can enjoy complimentary WiFi throughout the property.

The boutique hotel is 400 m from Hastings Beach and 1.9 km from St. Leonards On Sea Beach and is close to popular attractions such as Eastbourne Miniature Steam Railway Adventure Park (27 km) and Eastbourne Pier (28 km). The nearest airport, London Gatwick Airport, is 78 km away.

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10. The Pilot Inn

9.2 Average Rating
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The Pilot Inn is located just over a kilometer from Eastbourne Pier on the south coast of England, and 32.2 km from Brighton. It is only a 2-minute walk from the sea. On-site, there is free WiFi and free parking.

The rooms are light and elegant in style and include a flat-screen TV, tea and coffee-making facilities, and an en suite bathroom.

Guests can enjoy a full English breakfast each morning, which can be eaten either in the restaurant or the garden area. The Pilot Inn also serves a modern British menu for lunch and dinner.

It is a 15-minute walk from The Pilot Inn to the Congress Theatre and Towner Art Gallery, and the Arndale shopping center is also nearby.

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