This family-run seaside retreat feels like a home away from home, and offers hauntingly beautiful views of the North Norfolk coast
Situated on the quayside of one of the most picturesque villages on the North Norfolk Heritage Coast, Blakeney Hotel, built in 1923, offers sweeping views towards Blakeney Point (an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty), taking in atmospheric salt marshes and the estuary of the River Glaven. Just a two-and-a-half-hour drive from London, it is the ideal place for a family or couple looking for a cosy seaside getaway, with plenty on offer in the local area to keep you absorbed for the duration of your stay.
Stepping into the hotel, what strikes you first is the unique and personal quality of the building and interior design. Walking from the lobby to the ground-floor Boat Room with its open log fire, you see the characterful interior style come to life – large windows, wooden furnishings and breezy linens accent the transition from outdoors to in. Here, elegance meets contemporary lines and textures.
It comes as no surprise then to learn that the Blakeney remains a privately owned and family-run hotel, despite there being over 60 rooms, alongside two sitting rooms, a bar, restaurant, games room and leisure area (equipped with pool, sauna, steam room and gym). Each piece of furniture in every room is personally picked and placed by owner Emma Stannard, whose father bought the property in 1983. Both furniture and furnishings contribute to the elegant, warm feel and, despite the relatively large scale of the hotel, the atmosphere is that of a friendly family affair, thanks largely to the attentive staff.
On the first floor the spectacular Look Out sitting room has a telescope and large windows offering panoramic views over the dramatic coastline. Sandy beaches, salt marshes and looming cliffs all lie within reach of the hotel and are perfect for exploring. The Blakeney sits almost directly on the Norfolk Coast Path. A walk through its diversity of landscapes, seaside towns, National Trust-protected marshes, beaches and woodlands is a great way to spend the day. And what is remarkable is that often you are alone here and can stroll without coming across anyone else. A nice touch is that the hotel can prepare picnics to take with you.
The area is rich in natural points of interest and historical sites, with a range of local leisure activities and opportunities to see wildlife, such as boat trips to Blakeney Point to see the seals, walks along the marshes and visits to nearby country houses and gardens. If watersports are more your thing, there’s sailing, surfing and paddle-boarding. And fishing and crabbing are also options. Those more inclined to stay on dry land can enjoy a game of tennis or golf close by.
In the evening, settle down to a soul-warming dinner in the property’s award-winning restaurant, which serves a range of hearty breakfasts, light lunches and local, seasonal menus to both residents and non-residents alike. The food is British cuisine at its best, and the prices are refreshingly reasonable. And for guests staying in a room with a terrace, breakfast overlooking the marshes is a great way to start the day.
It is so rare to find a hotel this large these days that offers such a personal and tailored experience. The Blakeney truly stands out as an ideal place for a quick and relaxing getaway.
The Quay, Blakeney, Holt NR25 7NE; blakeney-hotel.co.uk
