The Best Boutique Seafront Hotels in Worthing

There’s something deeply restorative about the English coast. Maybe it’s the salt in the air, the crash of waves, or just the simplicity of standing on a pebble beach with the wind tousling your hair. For me, Worthing has always been that underrated gem—less crowded than Brighton, more lived-in than Eastbourne, and packed with the kind of coastal character that’s hard to fake.

Over the past few years, I’ve made it a tradition to escape to Worthing at least twice a year. I’ve stayed in charming Edwardian townhouses, quirky B\&Bs with sea-facing windows, and even sleek boutique apartments a stone’s throw from the promenade. Some were average, a few were forgettable, but five truly stood out—places where I slept soundly, woke up inspired, and felt genuinely at home.

Whether you’re planning a weekend escape or a week-long coastal recharge, here are my personal picks for the best boutique seafront hotels in Worthing, complete with heartfelt reflections, booking advice, and where to score the best deals.

1. The Burlington Hotel

📍 Marine Parade, Worthing BN11 3QL

The first time I stayed at The Burlington, I had just wrapped a particularly demanding writing assignment in London. I was craving a place where I could just breathe—somewhere with the hush of the sea, the comfort of crisp linens, and, frankly, a decent glass of wine. Worthing had long been on my radar, and The Burlington stood out like a beacon.

🏨 Hotel Overview

Housed in a majestic Victorian seafront building, The Burlington faces the English Channel like a stately ship anchored in time. There’s a certain quiet elegance to it. From the moment I stepped through the revolving door into the high-ceilinged lobby, I felt like I’d entered a slice of coastal history—with just the right touch of modern luxury.

The interiors are refined and warm: polished oak floors, creamy walls adorned with subtle coastal art, and period details like sash windows and intricate cornices. My Deluxe Sea View Room had everything I wanted and more—a king-sized bed with feather-soft pillows, a chaise lounge angled perfectly toward the ocean, and a small balcony where I’d sit for hours, wrapped in the hotel’s fluffy robe, sipping local sparkling wine and watching paddleboarders drift by.

Downstairs, the cocktail bar is understated yet atmospheric, serving up Worthing-brewed ales, Sussex gins, and the kind of cocktails you’d expect in a trendy London speakeasy. Breakfast the next morning was unpretentious yet exquisite—perfectly poached eggs, artisan sourdough, and locally sourced smoked salmon, served by a smiling waiter who somehow remembered I take my tea black.

🌟 What I Loved

• The robes—honestly, the softest I’ve worn outside a spa
• Staff remembered my name and asked about my writing project
• Sitting on the balcony at dusk, with nothing but the sea breeze and the distant sound of gulls

🗣️ Guest Feedback

A fellow guest over breakfast leaned toward me and said, “This feels like Worthing’s best-kept secret. It has the soul of Brighton, but the peace of an old fishing town.” I nodded in agreement. It’s a place that whispers, not shouts—and that’s exactly its charm.

💰 Booking & Price

• Average rate: £110–£165/night
• Book via: Booking.com, Hotels.com, or Official site
• Booking tip: Call directly for midweek rates or sea-view room upgrades—they’re often more accommodating than third-party platforms.

2. The Crabtree Boutique Guest House

📍 Selden Road, 10-minute walk from the pier

I stumbled upon The Crabtree on a rainy spring evening when I’d originally booked a larger hotel that turned out to be under renovation. Sometimes, the best discoveries come unplanned.

🏨 Hotel Overview

The Crabtree is a family-run boutique guesthouse in a beautiful Edwardian terrace, just a few streets back from the beach. It’s quiet, thoughtfully decorated, and infused with personal touches—like local art on the walls and an honesty bar stocked with wine and local snacks.

The rooms are individually styled. I stayed in The Pebble Room, which had a sea-glass-inspired palette, soft linens, and a handmade driftwood mirror above the bed. Every detail felt chosen with love.

🌟 What I Loved

• Homemade shortbread and fresh flowers in the room
• The breakfast—easily one of the best in Worthing
• A beautiful back garden with roses and reading benches

🗣️ Guest Feedback

A review I read before booking said, “Like staying at your chic grandmother’s house—if she had a Pinterest account.” I couldn’t agree more.

💰 Booking & Price

• Average rate: £95–£140/night
• Book via: Expedia UK, Laterooms.com, or directly through their Facebook page for special seasonal offers
• Booking tip: Request a garden-facing room for more morning light.

3. The Shelley Apartments

📍 Brighton Road, directly across from the seafront

For longer stays, I sometimes prefer the freedom of an apartment. The Shelley blends hotel service with self-catering convenience—a winning combo if you’re in town for more than a weekend.

🏨 Hotel Overview

Named after the poet Percy Bysshe Shelley (whose family lived nearby), these apartments offer sea views, smart interiors, and hotel-level service like weekly housekeeping and stocked minibars. I stayed in a top-floor corner unit, and I remember sitting on the window bench for hours just watching seagulls hover above the esplanade.

The interiors are Scandinavian-meets-English-coastal: think blonde wood, soft grays, navy accents, and white walls. A full kitchen means you can shop local and cook, which I did one night with fresh cod from Worthing Pier Market.

🌟 What I Loved

• Full kitchen, ideal for longer trips
• Ultra-fast Wi-Fi—important for remote work
• Luxury bedding and blackout blinds for proper sleep

🗣️ Guest Feedback

One reviewer called it “the perfect fusion of Airbnb flexibility with boutique hotel comfort,” and that sums it up perfectly.

💰 Booking & Price

• Average rate: £120–£180/night
• Book via: Airbnb, Booking.com, or Sykes Cottages
• Booking tip: Book directly through their website to save the service fee charged by Airbnb.

4. Marine View Guest House

📍 Selden Terrace, just off the esplanade

This place was recommended by a friend who’s a landscape photographer. He swore by the morning light here, and after spending three nights in their top-floor suite, I understood why.

🏨 Hotel Overview

Marine View is a lovingly maintained Georgian guest house, offering some of the most affordable sea-facing rooms in Worthing. It doesn’t try to be trendy—but it nails the basics with sincerity.

The host, Angela, is part of the reason this place shines. She offers hand-drawn maps of Worthing’s best walks, lends umbrellas, and even bakes lemon drizzle cake for new arrivals.

🌟 What I Loved

• Best-value seafront room in town
• Delicious homemade breakfasts
• A library stocked with local history books and novels

🗣️ Guest Feedback

An older couple from Kent told me they return every year because “no one makes you feel more at home than Angela.” I couldn’t agree more.

💰 Booking & Price

• Average rate: £80–£125/night
• Book via: Eviivo, Wotif, or call direct for best rates
• Booking tip: Angela sometimes offers a third-night-free deal in shoulder season (October–March)

5. Southcourt Stay – Boutique Seaside Apartment

📍 Southey Road, a 2-minute stroll from Worthing Pier

Sometimes I want to check in and feel like a local. That’s what Southcourt Stay offers—a sleek, designer apartment in a quiet residential street, steps away from all the action.

🏨 Overview

This is the kind of place you rent when you want privacy, comfort, and style. The owners clearly have an eye for design—think brushed brass fixtures, velvet cushions, and a record player with vintage LPs. There’s a fully fitted kitchen, a king-sized bed, and even a bathtub big enough for two.

I stayed here during winter and made full use of the Netflix-enabled TV, underfloor heating, and Nespresso machine. It was like a hygge dream by the sea.

🌟 What I Loved

• Stylish interiors worthy of a magazine shoot
• Total privacy—no shared walls or noisy corridors
• Proximity to vegan cafes, bookstores, and Worthing Lido

🗣️ Guest Feedback

One reviewer wrote, “It’s like a Soho House escape, but in Sussex.” They weren’t exaggerating.

💰 Booking & Price

• Average rate: £130–£195/night
• Book via: Vrbo, Airbnb, or DirectBookingTools
• Booking tip: Off-season (November–February) often sees 20–30% discounts.

🧳 Travel & Booking Tips for Staying in Worthing

As someone who has booked more rooms than hot dinners, here are a few platforms I personally trust when staying in Worthing and the UK more broadly:

• Booking.com: best range and flexible cancellation
• Expedia UK: handy for bundles with trains
• Hotels.com: great loyalty program
• Airbnb: for longer stays and boutique apartments
• Vrbo UK: high-end self-catering options
• Sykes Cottages: ideal for family stays

🕐 When to Book

• Spring and autumn have the best rates and fewer crowds
• Midweek stays (Monday–Thursday) often save 20% or more
• Direct bookings with the hotel often include perks (free breakfast, upgrades)

Whether you’re in Worthing to soak up sea air, recharge your creative batteries, or simply escape the bustle of city life, choosing the right place to stay makes all the difference. And in a town this charming, the boutique hotels are as much a part of the experience as the beach itself.

If you visit any of these spots—or find your own hidden gem—I’d love to hear about it. After all, that’s what travel is about: discovery, storytelling, and the small, perfect details that stay with you long after checkout.