17 March 2011
The UK’s sunniest place has notched up two places in The Independent’s Top 50 Best B&Bs published on Saturday, with Eastbourne’s Guesthouse East topping the poll at number one.
This was the second accolade in recent years for the stylish 4-star silver guest accommodation that offers boutique style suites after it was named in lastminute.com’s top 10 travel blogs in 2009.
Eastbourne’s Ocklynge Manor, the former home of Peter Pan illustrator Mabel Lucie Attwell, was the second entry for Eastbourne in the top 50 rundown, with the 5-star B&B coming in at no.7.
Eastbourne Borough Council Cabinet Member for Tourism, Cllr Neil Stanley said “Making no.1 in The Independent’s top 50 B&Bs is fantastic news for Eastbourne and a brilliant accolade for the Guesthouse East who really do offer guests a unique experience when staying in our sunny resort. With Ocklynge Manor also making the list and in the top 10 too, Eastbourne has certainly made an impression on the reviewer. With plenty of fantastic deals on stays in Eastbourne available via our official destination website VisitEastbourne.com, combined with a packed programme of events this year, I’d encourage everyone to enjoy a staycation in the town that offers more sunshine than anywhere else in the UK!”
The six spacious suites at Guesthouse East are 'within a stone's throw of the beach' and are 'well equipped for those with tots in tow' says Sian Williams in the feature. The B&B is also praised for its child-friendly facilities and the fact that all rooms are equipped with mini kitchens meaning that visitors can choose whether they opt for home-cooked full English or their legendary porridge or go self-catering.
Ocklynge Manor, which sits within an ancient walled garden, was highlighted for its ‘bright and sunny bedrooms, all with views over the lovely walled gardens’, which create a mood of relaxed indulgence.
With only 5 other South East B&Bs featured in the article, Eastbourne has beaten its rival south coast destinations taking two places and confirming just two of the many reasons for why the resort is so popular with over 4.8 million visitors a year.
For more information on where to stay in Eastbourne, to find special offers, and to see what’s on, go to the VisitEastbourne website or call 0871 663 0031.
