Set your out-of-office message to ‘gone surfing’ and step away from the laptop. As luck would have it, this summer we’ve cut down your commute with our pick of the continent’s luxury hotels a stone’s throw from the sea. From Greece’s too-cool resorts to cosy Cornish boltholes, here’s our pick of the best beachfront hotels in Europe…
France
Zannier Île de Bendor, French Riviera
Not just possessing its own private beach, ultra-luxe resort Zannier Île de Bendor has commandeered its own island off the French Riviera. First owned by pastis magnate Paul Ricard, the Zannier hotel group has worked with his descendants to create a refined retreat that’s part Provençal village, part lively hangout with a glamorous throwback feel and part place to reconnect with nature.
The three restaurants and four bars include a sea-view, date-night spot; sand-side cocktail joint; rooftop Vietnamese restaurant; and a traditional crêperie. There’s plenty more to keep you in resort, whether you want to play pickleball or swing from cryotherapy chamber to hammam to reformer-Pilates studio in the enormous spa. However, inland offers edifying experiences too, from Grasse’s lavender fields to Van Gogh’s legacy in Arles.
Beach in reach
The island has a sandy frill pretty much all around, so you’re never too far from a sunbathing spot — there’s a buzzy beach club, too.
Where to eat
The hotel’s run of eateries will keep you satisfied for a while, but if you want more colour on your palate, the hotel runs a wide range of gourmet adventures: olive-oil tastings washed down with the Ricard family’s pastis, bread-making in Provence, fish-market visits and lessons in how to make the perfect bouillabaisse.
Greece
Domes Noruz Kassandra, Halkidiki
Sometimes it’s hard to tell whether the party’s over or just getting started in Halkidiki, but whichever end of the day sees you crashing back bedwards, Domes Noruz Kassandra is your luxury landing-pad. Super-soft duvets and the spoiling Soma Spa (with its Codage and Elemis treatments) ward off any symptoms of a no-holds-barred night out, and the hotel’s all-white design goes easy on worse-for-wear eyes.
Beach in reach
If moving is absolutely not on your agenda, bed down on Chaniotis beach, right in front of the hotel. Or mosey over to Pefkohori beach, which has tavernas and indie shops nearby; or Poseidi Cape, whose sandbar flicks out into the Aegean. But when the pull of the party scene gets the better of you, it’s the out-size pool you want to head to. By day, settle there for sea-gazing swing chairs and cocktails on your sunlounger. Stay after hours, and things rev up with live DJ sets and till-sunrise parties.
Where to eat
Take to the terrace at retro Italian eatery Antonino’s, where the likes of burrata and confit tomatoes, seafood pastas and well-topped pizzas are served alongside blue, blue views.
Dexamenes Seaside Hotel, Western Peloponnese
Many a Greek hotel has made claims to the approval of the gods, but it’s hard to imagine a stay more up Dionysus’ street than Dexamenes Seaside Hotel. Set in a former winery, this oenophile’s dream makes ingenious use of the original structures. Wine tanks have been transformed into stylishly industrial suites: a repurposed stone slab here, an upcycled water pipe there.
You’ll find an elegant Greek restaurant in the former engine room, and concrete grape-crushing silos are now the setting for private dinners and (what else?) wine tastings. Just as intoxicating is the Western Peloponnese wilderness, where there’s an abundance of ancient forest and antiquities to explore. And beyond the hotel’s eateries, you’ll get a taste of the locality with spa treatments, which incorporate olive oil and honey.
Beach in reach
The hotel borders a quiet stretch of Kourouta Beach, where a line of thatch-roofed parasols are laid out on the golden sand. If you’re willing to hop in the car, the wide, flat sands of Agios Ilias beach are a few kilometres to the south.
Where to eat
It’s hard to beat Dexamenes’ own restaurant, where you can gorge on contemporary Greek and Mediterranean cuisine from chef Gikas Xenakis. The hotel’s a former winery, too, so you can expect a vast selection of local varieties. In Kourouta, you’ll find laid-back beachfront options serving just-caught fish and hearty Greek meat dishes: we like Cabana and Remoundos.
Meraviglia Slow Living, Epirus Coast
If you’re into the Greek classics, Epirus will appeal. Sure, this northwestern corner of Greece is home to the door to Hades and shores that star in Homer’s Odyssey, but we’re more talking golden beaches, sun-warmed sea and cookery with ingredients fresh from the farm. And these are the Hellenic staples that Meraviglia Slow Living has in spades. If you ever needed evidence that patience is a virtue, it took local constructor Aris Tzimas two decades to hone his skills and realise his vision. The payoff? A dozen striking suites, each with a private pool, garden and eye-popping Ionian views.
Beach in reach
Mooch down to Monolithi beach to work on that tan. It’s Europe’s longest stretch of sand, so you may want to explore a little — the staff can also guide you to lesser-known coves where the crowds will be thinner.
Where to eat
A short walk north brings you to Akrotiri, a seaside restaurant with verdant gardens and views of the lighthouse at Mytikas. It’s a hit for dinner, when you’ll have a fine view of the sunset. Try the Plaki sardines, sea bream tartare and the slow-cooked beef cheek, served in a tomato sauce with spices and wine.
Numo Ierapetra Beach Resort, Crete
Ready to pull an Irish goodbye on the Greek island party scene? Numo Ierapetra Beach Resort has you covered. At this adults-only stay, soothing interiors fall in step with the scenery — influences include the volcanic grey of the beach, the tamarisk trees’ earthy greens and the honey tones of the mountains beyond.
This hideaway might be on Crete’s quieter southern coast, but don’t hang up your dancing shoes just yet – down at pool and beachside bar Màre Màre, mixologists are hard at work and DJs set a lively mood. But when a gentler rhythm calls your name, abscond to the Etherea spa or slip away to the secluded second pool.
Beach in reach
Ierapetra’s beach is a relatively slender stretch of volcanic sand, but the hotel has extended their portion on the landward side, adding a landscaped area with striped sunloungers and thatched parasols.
Where to eat
Vira Potzi is an enticing tavern right by the harbour, next to the 17th-century Venetian Kales Fortress. Expect just-caught grilled sardines and calamari, and rainbow salads. Pelagos has excellent sunset views, an extensive Greek wine list and dishes like zingy ceviche, shrimp pasta and prime cuts of steak.
Spain
Nobu Hotel Ibiza Bay
You’d think the namesake restaurant would be the headline act at Nobu Hotel Ibiza Bay, but top billing is hotly contested at this luxury Ibiza resort. Chef Matsuhisa’s miso black cod has some competition in the form of a Six Senses spa and the scene-y white sands of Talamanca Bay beach. Here, sun-drenched days are dawdled away on double day-beds, supplemented, perhaps, by a bit of biohacking at the spa or some beats-a-tea-towel souvenir hunting in artisanal boutique, The Almacen.
And when big names band together in Ibiza, a bells-and-whistles night out is all but guaranteed. First stop, a signature Dr Barbara Sturm facial to fine-tune your glow, followed by the Nobu bar for some see-and-be-seen sake sipping. From there, DJ-spun beats enliven the rooftop till late, and legendary clubs (Pacha, Amnesia…) are an easy taxi ride away.
Beach in reach
Talamanca Beach, on the hotel’s doorstep, will satisfy all your sand-dusted desires, but if you want to mix things up, the neighbourhood has an embarrassment of beautiful beaches. Sail over to Formentera (about an hour’s boat ride from Port d’Ibiza) to enjoy the luminous Caribbean-like waters lapping Playa de Ses Illetes, or drive 10 minutes to secluded cliff-sheltered cove S’Estanyol.
Where to eat
It goes without saying that dining at Nobu is a must, and the hotel’s second restaurant, beach eatery Chambao, is all set for lingering lunches featuring grilled fish, paella and sluggable Spanish wines. A short drive along the coast is Jul’s Ibiza, where the DJs provide the soundtrack and the fare is fine: the lobster risotto with squash and truffle is a favourite. La Torreta in the old town plays fast and loose with Ibiza’s produce, serving delights such as suckling pig with port and seabass in coconut-ty Tom Kha Kai sauce.
El Vicenç de la Mar, Mallorca
Sculptural rocky ridges and the electric-blue Balearic form the backdrop for El Vicenç de la Mar, a boutique stay on Mallorca’s dramatic north coast, where the Serra de Tramuntana plunges into the sea. Between the pool with heart-pattering views and mixologists well-versed in classic cocktails, there’s a persuasive case to be made for indefinite rooftop lounging.
But this is scenery best seen on two wheels – and the hotel has bikes to rent and a dedicated space with tools, storage and washing facilities to keep your transportation looking fresh, so you’re all set to hop in the saddle. The rewards for returning cyclists are plenty: the spa is your recovery pitstop, where a Turkish bath, sauna and cramp-banishing treatments beckon. Aches averted, restorative treats await in the two restaurants, where the Mediterranean menus are overseen by chef Santi Taura, who was previously awarded a Michelin star.
Beach in reach
Cala Molins, a small but attractive beach in a cove, is 40 yards from the hotel. Also within walking distance is Playa de Cala Barques, where the water is a clear aquamarine and you’ve a view of rugged coastal cliffs off to the side.
Where to eat
There’s not a huge amount in the immediate area, but Amazo, in Puerto Pollença, is a modern restaurant that plates up traditional ingredients in novel ways: black-pork bao buns with Korean barbecue sauce; lamb shank in a cherry-teriyaki sauce, and Ibérico secreto with hummus, vanilla oil and sweet wine.
Puente Romano Beach Resort, Marbella
If ever a hotel called for a massive floppy hat and your most outrageous sunglasses, it’s Puente Romano. On Marbella’s Golden Mile, this sprawling resort is the biggest name in town — or rather, a collection of the biggest names. Nobu and Coya number among the more than 20 restaurants and bars, and there’s an award-winning spa by Smith favourite Six Senses.
But there’s no need to be starstruck. Despite its size and celeb-luring credentials (Djokovic has been known to play at the tennis club), the resort’s whitewashed buildings and sub-tropical gardens lend it a laidback village feel. Active sorts can partake in banana-boat rides, stand-up paddle boarding or journeying aboard one of the hotel’s private sailing boats; but really, it’s the super-luxe slow life where Puente Romano’s star quality shines.
Beach in reach
It might be called the Golden Mile but there’s actually five kilometres of sand to loll on here, connected by a promenade running from the west of Marbella town centre to Puerto Banús. There’s a multitude of places to stop off along the way, from no-frills seaside cafés to ritzy beach clubs where you’ll rub shoulders with Spain’s suntanned elite.
Where to Eat
There are plenty of restaurants to choose from at the hotel, including a Nobu outpost and Leña, an Iberian steakhouse helmed by chef Dani Garcia (who formerly held three Michelin stars). Further afield, we like Trocadero Playa, which dishes up the freshest of fish in a bustling atmosphere right by the beach.
Portugal
Noah Surf House, Santa Cruz
Noah Surf House might be a boutique stay for board-riders (surf, skate and SUP), but even those who go wobbly at the thought of tackling a wave or swooshing round a bowl are welcome — it’s very family-friendly, too.
Its design is as laidback as its attitude, with wood, thatch and rope accents. You can while away the days expressing yourself on the graffiti wall, trekking out into leafy Santa Cruz and conversing with the resident chickens — when you’re not mastering the water — before Atlantic Ocean-backed evenings around the bonfire or eating barbecued feasts on the hotel’s rooftop.
Beach in reach
The dun-hued sands of Portugal’s Silver Coast are just across the road from the hotel — Praia do Centro is your launching point for Atlantic adventuring, but you can’t swing a bucket and spade around these parts without hitting a scenic bit of shore. Further north, you’ll hit Praias da Amoreira and Mirante and to the south you’ll find Praias de Santa Cruz and Formosa.
Where to eat
The alfresco tables at Noah Restaurant look out to the ocean, a serene accompaniment to fresh-off-the-grill eats. Or stroll down to Plaj Beach House for some comfort food: cod and cornbread, fried cuttlefish, seafood açorda (a sort of savoury porridge).
Italy
Verdura Resort, Sicily
A family affair in all senses, Verdura Resort is the joint effort of hotelier Rocco Forte and his designer sister Olga Polizzi. Interiors are, of course, supremely stylish — dark wood and daring patterns are paired with lashings of natural light. But sleek Italian styling doesn’t mean much to Little Smiths, so swing by the expansive Verdùland kids’ club, with its outdoor playground, pool, giant chess and activities themed around science, arts and crafts, cookery and local culture.
With the kids off your hands, head for the super-size spa, where soothing treatments are infused with Sicilian oils and Trapani sea salt, and the steam room is spacious enough to hole up in for as long as your nerves need. Otherwise, hide out on one of the two championship golf courses, or go awol under the orange trees in the balmy gardens.
Beach in reach
Since this Sicily resort has just under two kilometres of private coastline, you’ll have plenty of beach to choose from, both pebbly and sandy. If it’s a tad too shingly for you, powder-soft perfection is just a 20-minute drive away along the coast.
Where to Eat
Amare is the hotel’s Olga Polizzi-styled beachside restaurant, dishing up Mediterranean favourites and barbecued seafood (order the locally loved crudo). Families will fall for the pizzeria, Liolà, Verdura’s colourful take on a traditional local trattoria.
Hotel Capo La Gala and Wellness, Amalfi Coast
Amore can’t help but flourish on the Amalfi Coast — those swoon-inducing views make sure of that — but Hotel Capo La Gala and Wellness, five miles from Sorrento, makes a more than worthy wingman. The hotel’s design is an ode to its seaside setting, full of navy stripes, a spectrum of blues and nautical flourishes; but even so, the real star here is your plus one. Date nights follow a heart-fluttering formula: Mediterranean fine dining at Gulf-view Maxi Restaurant, followed by a Tyrrhenian-gazing tipple at the Capri bar and a hand-in-hand stroll along the rocky beach — the scene, as local legend has it, of a star-crossed love story.
Beach in reach
Typically for the Amalfi coast, there isn’t a sandy beach, but the hotel has a waterfront terrace on the rocks with sunloungers, a pool hewn into the stone and a solarium for socialising. There are shingle beaches within driving distance, particularly on the southern stretches of the coastline. We like Spiaggia di Maiori and the Marina Grande in Positano.
Where to eat
Down by the rocky beach, the hotel’s Nerea Sea Tavern is the place for a relaxed osteria-style lunch and evening menu of Neapolitan classics. Nearby beach club Il Bikini Vico Equense specialises in seafood and has a coveted hillside perch with panoramic coastal views.
United Kingdom
Three Mile Beach, Cornwall
Family-friendly Three Mile Beach on Cornwall’s north coast delivers the classic Great British seaside holiday with a glamorous twist — packing list: bucket, spade and Bulgari shades. In each of the 19 beach houses, cheery-coloured clapboard (and a rainy-day board-game collection) deliver a dose of seaside nostalgia; out on your private terrace, a cedar-hewn sunken hot tub and barrel sauna nudge things into diva territory.
Every house has a kitchen, too, but if you’re tied up with a sea-salt-scented soak on the deck, call on the local private chef, who’ll tailor a tasting menu to your likes. Alternatively, enjoy an Atlantic-facing feast, courtesy of the alfresco bar and eatery Chomp (there’s a yurt dining room if things get chilly), which dishes out globetrotting sharing plates.
Beach in reach
The nominative miles of golden sand await on Gwithian Towans beach, mere steps from the hotel. There’s plenty for everyone here: grass-tufted dunes to picnic among, rugged cliffs to admire and rock pools for kids to poke around in. It’s also a hotspot for surfing, kite-surfing and seal-spotting — but chilling out with a book or chilled Cornish beer in hand is encouraged too.
Where to eat
Masterchef star Adam Handling mans the kitchens at the Ugly Butterfly, overlooking Carbis Bay through floor-to-ceiling windows. Locally sourced produce is put to good use in the dishes, with a waste-free ethos, since offcuts reappear in drinks and creative bar snacks. Above the harbour in St Ives, Porthminster Kitchen adds a little global influence to its Cornish cooking — expect dishes such as salt-and-pepper squid, scallops with bacon jam, and pulled pork with burnt apple.
No. 42 by Guesthouse, Margate
Margate’s ascent to coolness has been swift and now the Kentish coast’s cultural lynchpin has suitably stylish stays for those nosing around the Turner Contemporary and Carl Freedman galleries, indulging in Dreamland’s retro fun and trawling the vintage stores.
No. 42 by Guesthouse has a privileged position in the town with uninterrupted sea views and only main promenading drag Marine Drive in the way of golden sands. It might be Victorian, but rooftop spritzes, a sleek makeover and signature spa treatments in a copper hot tub have brought it firmly into the now.
Beach in reach
Just hop over the road and you’re in deckchair territory. Margate Main Sands has a tidal pool to splash safely about in, beach-ball court and the dinky Sea Scrub sauna.
Where to eat
Pearly Cow’s robata-grilled steaks and oysters with a dash of merlot mignonette befit the elegance of its antique dining room.
See (or sea?) our collection of beach hotels in Europe, or get off the beaten track with our pick of the world’s best hidden beaches