Albion House, Ramsgate, Kent

The Irvines rent out electric bicycles (£25 per day), ideal for pedalling along the beautiful 25-mile Viking Coastal Trail.

On Ramsgate's Royal Harbour, the hotel overlooks Albion Gardens and out to sea.
By car: Albion House is an hour and 40 minutes by car from London (42 miles) and just under two hours from Brighton (67 miles). Paid and free parking available nearby.
By train: Kings Cross St Pancras to Ramsgate takes an hour and 15 mins. London Victoria and Charing Cross services are also available. The hotel is a £12 taxi or a 20-minute walk from the station.

The ocean is omnipresent thanks to sea and harbour views from virtually every window, meaning the hotel can avoid typical "coastal chic" touches like driftwood and nautical knotts.

Large armchairs in the bar are perfect for candlelit chats over G&Ts or mornings reading the paper.

• Free Wi-Fi
• Townley's restaurant
• Townley's Bar
• Little Dining Rooms
• Royal Harbour views
• On-street parking

Our favourite is the suite, with its French doors opening out onto the wraparound balcony and sea views from the bed. Light sleepers will appreciate the ear plugs provided on each bedside table to defend against road and seagull noise.

Cosy Suites, Queen Rooms, King Rooms and Super Kings
Facilities include: Wi-Fi, en-suite bathroom with bath or shower, hairdryer and bathrobes, TV, seating area, desk, ironing facilities

The generous buffet breakfast or brunch is served until 3pm, so you can savour the fabulous beds with a lie-in. We love the monkfish with leek and chorizo crumb, but it's hard to beat locally brewed Gadds' Black Pearl stout sticky toffee pudding.

Townleys at Albion House: Seasonal produce and seafood dishes. Open for brunch, lunch and dinner. Mains from £12.95 to £24.