It could be down to our healthy but tasty breakfasts or perhaps the fact that the seafront might just tempt you out for an early morning jog?

More probably that our beds are so super comfy the extra few hours kip you’ll enjoy will make you live till about 94.

A report presented to the British Psychological Society this week found that people preferred coastal locations to every other type of outdoor environment. This lead to greater happiness which actually benefited their health, amongst the 3000 people within the sample, at any rate.

So there you have it; conclusive proof, surely, that you need to book that weekend away in Eastbourne, the sunniest town in UK. Given the health benefits it’s practically an allowable expense!

And if you’re tempted by the seafront, Beachy Head and the South Downs National Park you might as well stay here at The Guesthouse East, awarded first place by The Independent in their Top 50 B&Bs

It was probably a little ambitious to enter ‘shorts-only’ mode from March, but my ginger pins are now fully embracing the warming, early summer air here in Eastbourne.

Whilst we’re busy irrespective of the season at The Guesthouse East, it’s a pleasure to see the old resort emerging from winter; buildings enjoying a new lick of paint, the carpet gardens along the promenade beginning to bloom and the ‘which stars will appear at Eastbourne Tennis this year?’ rumour mill picking up pace.

The hot money is on Ana Ivanovic who looks certain to take to the grass courts in the AEGON Championship at Devonshire Park from June 16-23 2012.

I remember watching her from close quarters last year on the warm-up courts which was real pleasure (from a purely sporting appreciation perspective, obviously…) and practically bumping into Serena Williams strolling around.

I’ll put my feelers out to see who else is lined up and will keep you updated.

Whilst we don’t have any availability here at the guesthouse for the tennis week we do have space at some of the swanky holiday apartments within the Exclusively Eastbourne portfolio. You can see which Eastbourne holiday flats are still free here.

Recent maintenance work at bandstand highlighted the need for some urgent repairs which threatened to kybosh the summer entertainment schedule but the tourism team at the council have located a suitable alternative space (on the beach – great work Annie!) The upshot is that most performances will now be free so a cracking excuse to spend an hour on the seafront.

Airbourne, the world-class free airshow that takes place along the seafront in Eastbourne, is scheduled for 9-12 August this year and whilst the Red Arrows are away in Russia (the lure of the rouble, perhaps?) there is bound to be an exhilarating show on offer.

I’m looking forward to chasing the bass and mackerel again from the kayak so if you do see an excitable chap dragging a bright yellow canoe along the prom give us a wave and smile, safe in the knowledge that summer is truly here.

Our guests here at The Guesthouse East in Eastbourne tell us they appreciate the extra space and freedom of the separate kitchens within each of our suites. I just wish we had more of them to offer you! Then again, if we had 44 suites under our roof I don’t reckon I’d be able to chew the fat over a coffee with many guests, help plan their route over Beachy Head, the Seven Sisters and the South Downs Way or make sure they pick out the best restaurants and cafes across the town. And, importantly, I wouldn’t have any free time to head  off fishing on the kayak!

So rather than take over a larger place we’ve built up Exclusively Eastbourne, which allows you to rent swanky holiday apartments (and a country house with pool – nice!) around the choicest parts of Eastbourne for longer periods – at least a week rather than on a daily basis here at the guesthouse.

We’ve just taken on another property – check out Long Beach Apartment for a holiday let in Sovereign Harbour – after being approached by the owner. It’s a stylish place, set in the sought-after North Harbour area, so sits well in the portfolio, adding a new dimension. So, if you fancy donning deck shoes, sipping cappuccinos and enjoy people-watching on the quayside you might want to consider taking a holiday in Sovereign Harbour. Not quite St Tropez but there is definitely a Mediterranean feel to it!

Being new to the market, all the key dates are available for this year (which is a rare opportunity indeed) – give us a call on +44 (0)1323 722774 or email info@exclusivelyeastbourne.co.uk to get more information or book yourself a week away.

I know I’m biased and perhaps overly positive due to living in Eastbourne. Eastbourne is truly a fabulous holiday resort – we’re the sunniest place in the UK, officially recognised as the UK’s most holiday-friendly destination, we have Beachy Head and the South Downs National Park on our doorstep and I’ve found that once people discover the town they return again and again.

But why are more people staying in the UK  generally?

1. People are looking for value for money

Given the current economic climate, with more spending cuts to be announced in the budget next week and tax increases coming our way, people are looking to make the most of every pound they spend.

People also recognise that the pound doesn’t buy what it did abroad a few years back and that they’ll be walloped by hidden charges when they book their flight tickets.

2. People are becoming weary of international travel

Traveling abroad, especially as a family, can be pretty draining, what with the effort of getting to the airport or port, potential delays and strikes scheduled to cause maximum pain at the worst possible times.

Within just two hours travel pretty much everyone in the UK can find themselves sitting sipping cappuccinos in a beach-side cafe, but if you’re looking at international travel you will barely have passed security and check-in by now.

3. There is a celebration for all things British at the moment.

Prince Harry is hot news right now, outrunning Usain Bolt and generally wooing the whole Caribbean. If you walk down a supermarket aisle you’ll be struck by the number of Union Flags waving at you from the packaging, highlighting their British ingredients.

People have started to recognise what we have here in Britain. I was watching Britain’s Secret Seas recently and I was genuinely spellbound.

4. British accommodation has really upped its game

It can’t afford not to. Trip Advisor will soon expose any weak establishments and who risks parting with cash these days and books a hotel or B&B without checking out the reviews?

So what does all this mean in reality?

Here at The Guesthouse East, bookings are up 20% year-on-year (we’re particularly well placed to enjoy the growing trend from families being child and baby-friendly with our self catering accommodation, as well as offering B&B).

We also established Exclusively Eastbourne Holiday Homes, a holiday accommodation rental site, 2 years back and will soon have our 10th property on our books, doubling in a year, proving that high-quality holiday lets in Eastbourne have real appeal.

Of course this is 2012, Olympic year, so a one-off opportunity to grandstand everything that is great in Great Britain.

Sure, we might not be able to guarantee 30 degree heat, but also consider the total package on offer, the variety, value and relative ease and perhaps you might consider that staycation yourself.

We’re really proud of our website for The Guesthouse East. We generally get lovely feedback from guests and, for those of a more analytical persuasion, the google metrics look good.
So, when over a pint, a good friend spontaneously pointed out that the photos on the site didn’t exactly do our luxury guest house in Eastbourne justice you can imagine the mental cogs whirring. A challenge had been laid before us!
Thankfully we’re good friends with Will Gudgeon, a rapidly rising star in the Eastbourne photographic world and he agreed to add us to his already weighty project list.
We’ve had an extensive refurbishment project underway for several months, updating the rooms with new carpets, furniture, painting, sash window refurbing, etc so it was a great opportunity to highlight all the improvements.

Of course, lovely photos deserve more space in which to be seen so we now have individual web pages allocated to each room so that guests can have a real vision of what is available.

So, here we are – the big reveal – new photos, new pages and generally more opportunity to check out the individual rooms and suites.

Let me know what you think – you can paste comments on the blog or email on book@theguesthouseeast.co.uk

Given that we have just finished this project you might as well give us something else to think about for the next three months. You wouldn’t want us to get bored, now, would you!?

An introduction to knife skills.

Whilst I’ve always fancied myself as a ginger James Bond, my course at Billingsgate Market yesterday wasn’t designed to turn me into a trained assassin. No, it was a Christmas present from Sarah in anticipation of the warmer months and the (here’s hoping) bagfuls of fish that await me from my fishing kayak.

With an elegant waft of a knife and a deft turn of the wrist my flapping sea bass will become a worthy VIP at a Rick Stein brasserie.

Visitors at our luxury guest house in Eastbourne this Spring might be more interested in Neighbourhood Watch, the forthcoming play written and directed by Alan Ayckbourne, running at the Devonshire Park Theatre. Or perhaps La Boheme or Madame Butterfly, both at The Congress Theatre. For other things to do in Eastbourne check out our ideas page here.

Maybe you need to get a flavour of what some of our previous guests have been up to while they’re here with us. We’ve had a great response over the last week from guests sending in their pictures they’d like to share with us all -  take a look at our Guest Gallery for the reality of a holiday here in Eastbourne and perhaps we’ll see you here soon.

Just don’t get flustered if you’re confronted by a knife-wielding loony in the hallway.

Our pregnancy pilates and pampering weekends here in Eastbourne are proving popular – we’ve just featured in the February edition of Prima Baby & Pregnancy.

Thankfully, no radio interviews with yours truly this time – instead a lovely piece in their mag talking about our unique pregnancy well-being treat.

We combine two pregnancy pilates classes, two nights B&B and a choice of a mini facial, pedicure, manicure, or half-hour massage which works out as a fab treat for mums-to-be (take note dads-to-be: serious brownie points on offer!!).

“Pilates is a wonderful form of exercise, ideally suited to support the postural changes during and after pregnancy,” says instructor Tracy Armfield.  “Pregnancy pilates helps towards a positive and healthy pregnancy – offering both mental and physical training.  Our aim is to leave you feeling energised, positive and more prepared for labour.”

We have more dates lined up, starting with 24-26 February, with courses also in March and April.

Call Sarah on 01323 722774 for more details

A blog offers a wonderful opportunity for navel gazing and general self-absorbtion, but even I find it tedious to talk about myself too much. How could you cope??

Whilst I’m always open to tell you what’s happening in Eastbourne, I reckon it’s more interesting to see how real guests have enjoyed Eastbourne, The Guesthouse East and the many activities, sights and attractions within very easy reach.

I’ve added our very own Guest Gallery – where you can peer into others’ adventures around Eastbourne and Sussex.

I’m kick-starting with Kiwamu and his family from Kyoto.
Only here for day, they were on a mission to see Beachy Head and the Seven Sisters (which served as the backdrop for some of Harry Potter’s antics – v big in Japan apparently), but the wind was violent, the light fading and the wind battering the coast. Still, Sarah was away with the children for the afternoon so I took Kiwamu and the guys up to Birling Gap to experience the full might of the elements….

So…I’d like to see more of your photos, hear more of your stories and let you star in our blog (in lastminute.com’s Top 10 travel blogs don’t you know ) and in the gallery and from there you can share it with your friends and family (I’ve also added easy bookmarks for sharing).

Email pics to book@theguesthouseeast.co.uk and/or comment on the blog itself (just click on ‘comments’).
Thanks, Carl

Philip Eden, that renowned meteorologist, has just revealed further data that reinforces what us residents can’t fail to notice – that Eastbourne really is the sunniest spot in the UK, beating other sun traps such as Jersey and Guernsey.

Apparently Eastbourne enjoyed almost 5.5 hours of sunshine A DAY last year. Blimey. Not what I remember from sitting on my kayak off the coast but I’ll let the town take the credit.

Perhaps not surprisingly Eastbourne is the fastest growing seaside resort attracting almost 5 million visitors last year.

I’ve just been booked by BBC Radio Jersey to have a chat live on their drivetime show with Philip Jupp at 5.20 today, so I’d better dash and work out what I’m going to say!

You’re probably back at your desk, wading through though the inbox, getting round to that expense claim or indeed any other routine task requiring auto-pilot mode.

Or perhaps you’re stuffed full of mince pies and having queezy nightmares about brussel sprouts and the very prospect of a return to work with little time off pre-Easter is filling you with dread.

Since you’re reading this blog you’re  in very good company with millions of other online travel-seekers as you look to shake off your post-Christmas blues by finding a great deal for your next break.

Accordingly to Hotels.com it’s one of the busiest time of the year for website traffic to holiday sites.

Who am I to stand against this tide? We’ve had the warmest weather for 14 years and the Met Office is suggesting that the mild weather will continue into the New Year.

The least I can do is provide an enticing offer to get you through these dark days with the prospect of cracking accommodation, unparalleled service and an Eastbourne location to die for.

So, how about a ‘Stay two nights and get the third free’ in January?

I’ll point you in the direction of Beachy Head, the theatres and Towner Art Gallary. Or just blow away the cobwebs with a stroll on the beach – it is only about 50 yards away. And after all that exertion you’ll finally re-discover your appetite and you’ll be delighted to hear that Eastbourne’s restaurants offer superb value and choice so you won’t go home diasappointed.

So, you have a choice – do you really fancy filling in that safety-assessment form for your new chair from Sandra in HR or would you rather be booking a long weekend in an award-winning guesthouse by the sea? I’ll leave that one with you.