Esplanade Hotel, sea views and breakfast in Clacton-on-Sea
Esplanade Hotel is a seafront hotel in Clacton-on-Sea, on the English coast, a short walk from the pier and the sandy beach. It has sea-view rooms, a restaurant and free Wi-Fi in the public areas. It suits families and short breaks, but reviews are mixed on parking and some rooms.
Written by Valeria Romano
Published
Mapiola is a travel blog: this is not the official website of Esplanade Hotel.
Where Esplanade Hotel is and how to get there
Esplanade Hotel sits on Marine Parade East, right on the seafront of Clacton-on-Sea in Essex. The sandy beach is just across the road, and the pier is a short walk away.
The town centre makes it easy to travel without a car. Shops, bars and restaurants are close, and the listing says the train station is less than a ten minute walk, so you can arrive by rail and still keep the stay simple.
If you do drive, read the parking section below before you set off, because it is the thing guests mention most often as a weak spot.
What the rooms are like
The rooms at Esplanade Hotel are modern, practical and, according to many guests, spacious. The listing describes contemporary decor, a flat screen TV and tea and coffee making facilities in each room.
- The view. Several guests praise the sea view, and one says all the guest rooms have it. The listing is a little more careful and says many of them do.
- The size. A family in a quadruple room called it huge, and another guest talks about plenty of floor space.
- The bathroom. One guest mentions a small shower with no bath, and toiletries in small tubes.
- The extras. Free Wi-Fi is offered in the public areas and in some rooms, so check if you need it in your own room.
The comfort of the beds comes up too. One guest said they slept like a log, which is the best thing you can say about a seaside stay.
What guests say about the hotel
On Google, Esplanade Hotel in Clacton-on-Sea scores 4,2 from 426 reviews. Most of the comments are warm, and the staff are the thing people mention most.
- The staff. Many reviews call the team friendly, helpful and welcoming, and one says it has a family feel. A couple of guests say the staff went out of their way to help.
- The breakfast. Guests describe it as freshly cooked, tasty and served with a smile.
- The sea view. One guest got up for sunrise on the beach, and another watched the sea from the room.
- The restaurant and bar. The in house restaurant, Johnny Mac's, serves classic British dishes such as fish and chips. Guests who came for parties and events say the bar and restaurant areas were clean and well run.
It is a pleasant pattern for a seaside hotel. People come for the location, stay for the friendly welcome, and leave with good words about breakfast.
What to know before you book
Esplanade Hotel is well liked, but a few reviews are harsh and the problems are specific. It is better to know them before you pay.
| What to check | What reviews say |
|---|---|
| Parking | Described as limited, with a small free car park at the back. One family said it is easy to get blocked in. Another guest parked free on the street. |
| Room condition | Two low scores mention broken window latches, poor water pressure, a stuck sink plug and a bad smell in one room. |
| Type of guests | One guest felt the place worked more like a hostel with several families than a classic hotel. |
| Events | The hotel hosts parties and events, so ask about the weekend you want if you need quiet. |
Those bad experiences are a small part of a mostly positive picture, but they were written recently enough to take seriously. If you have a choice, ask for a sea view room and confirm the parking before you arrive.
Who it suits and what to do in Clacton-on-Sea
I would pick Esplanade Hotel for a family seaside break or a few days on the Essex coast, especially if you want to walk everywhere. One guest called it perfect for travelling with young children because everything is a short walk away. I would not choose it if you need guaranteed parking or a very quiet weekend.
The obvious plan in Clacton-on-Sea is the beach, the pier and a stroll along the front. Clacton has an air show, which one guest stayed for, and a seafront full of places for fish and chips and a drink.
If you are comparing seaside stays in England, you can also look at The Berkswell Hotel in Blackpool. It is a different coast and a different town, but a useful place to start comparing.
Passionate about travel and about the kind of places that turn a getaway into something unforgettable. I love writing about hotels, country houses and charming hideaways, helping every traveller find the perfect place to rest and feel at home.
