We’ve been extremely busy all summer here at The Guesthouse East – I’ve been putting it down to my porridge – but it seems we’re part of a much bigger trend according to a new study highlighted on BBC 1 (The One Show) and the Eastbourne Herald amongst others.

EASTBOURNE is the second fastest growing seaside resort – and the sixth most popular in the UK.

The number of staycations – Brits holidaying at home – is going through the roof, and the Sunshine Coast is one of the main beneficiaries.

Eastbourne is second in terms of growth in tourism-related businesses, the number of people employed in the holiday economy and the number of visitors to local attractions compared to the year before, rising by 11% year-on-year, much higher than other Sussex resorts like Brighton, Hastings and Worthing.

Almost five million people flock to Eastbourne every year, swelling the town’s coffers by an estimated £250 million every 12 months.

Many of those visitors are foreign families and students, but, according to new figures, an increasing number are English natives shunning the Spanish sun in favour of a short spell in the sunniest part of UK.

This upturn is indicative of a national trend toward seaside chic breaks – with many bed and breakfasts transformed into trendy boutique hotels and attracting more affluent tourists to the coast. Figures show those holidaying in the UK spending 23 per cent more during their stay than last year and that in total resorts has seen 21 per cent more UK visitors staying overnight rather than just enjoying a day trip.

However, there are some traditions that show no signs of abating. Six in ten holidaymakers quizzed as part of the survey said they planned to eat fish and chips during their break and four in 10 said they were looking forward to a stroll on the pier.

In fact, one in three holidaymakers say the traditional attractions at seaside towns was one of the a reason for deciding against travelling overseas.

Just in case you need another reason to visit (or just perhaps to run off those chips) we’ve teamed up with The Running Inn to offer another Running Weekend Course.

As well as boutique accommodation here at The Guesthouse East (check out our suites!) you’ll receive a fitness test, nutrition discussion, pilates for runners as well as personal trainer-supported runs on the South Downs.

There always a lovely, supportive atmosphere and it’s amazing what you can achieve after a bowlful of my legendary porridge!   Call 01323 722774 for more details.

Carl

The sun’s feeling particularly warm this morning, the air the sweetest of the year and we’re skipping around the kitchen preparing breakfasts with beaming smiles – we’ve just been voted Number 1 in this morning’s Independent‘s Top 50 B&Bs!

Better dash – the sausages need turning….

Refreshing is one word for it. Let’s just say I needed the wetsuit for the inaugural swim of the year. And a bowl of steaming soup on my return. But the blood is certainly flowing again and we’re back in fine fettle after a hectic few weeks here at The Guesthouse East B&B in Eastbourne.

Swiss, French, Thai. Management consultants, teachers, designers. Young families, romancing couples and businessmen.  You can’t say it’s a bland crowd here. We’re completely taken over this Saturday night by an ecletic mix of walkers after the rigours of the South Downs Way. Better put some porridge on.

We still have some suites available for this Friday – self catering or bed and breakfast – and the chance to take advantage of my ‘Name your price!’ promotion. I’ve just had a lovely lady book on the phone who was obviously a bit embarrssed to  make an offer but delighted with the result. I suggest you give it a go too – on 01323 722774

Apparently UK tourism is set to be one of the few sectors to benefit from the recession, with 70% of people ready to book a holiday in the UK this year.

We’ve all been there – fractious children and frustrated parents stranded in airport lounges, disillusioned with the ‘glamour’ of air travel and, when coupled with a weak pound, it perhaps shouldn’t be surprising to hear that 39% are now considering to spend their main 2010 holiday here in the UK, up 10% on last year.  

The Guesthouse East, the boutique but family friendly hotel in Eastbourne, should be well placed since it is families who are likely to be at the heart of the ‘staycation’ boom. It is those with children who are more likely to target self catering accommodation and coastal resorts. Just as well, then, that The Guesthouse East is just 50m from the sea front in Eastbourne and that each suite has a separate kitchen with self-catering facilities and large bedroom, often with an extra futon or sofa bed for children. And when mum doesn’t fancy spending any more time in the kitchen bed and breakfast is always available.

Check availability and book or give us a ring 01323 722774 to find out more.

It’s disorientating munching on Cheerios on a Sunday morning, gazing not upon the lapping waters of the Channel in Eastbourne but the murky skies of London.
It’s always a treat catching up with friends and an impromptu weekend away from our boutique bed and breakfast in Eastbourne, but it’s sad to have to postpone our pregnancy pilates and pampering weekend.
The micorclimate in Eastbourne is as real as ever, protected by Beachy Head and the South Downs – we’ve hardly had any snow on Hartington Place, set just back from the sea – but bad roads and icy pavements elsewhere is no place to risk an outing for a pregnent lady. We really felt for the mums-to-be (some had had the weekends as presents off loved ones, others were coming with partners primed for several hours of prodding and pampering courtesy of our esteemed masseur). The good news is that we’ve set an additional weekend – 29th/30th January.
So, if you fancy an introduction to pregnancy pilates and a weekend of pampering to feel at your best in the run up to the birth give us a call 01323 722774 for more details.

Chaps, think of it as an opportunity to redeem yourselves after the less than jubilant reaction to your dressing gown Christmas present. And girls, well, you deserve a getaway.

Enjoy romance at this boutique bed and breakfast in Eastbourne for free on Valentine’s Day (Sunday 14th February) after staying here on the Friday and Saturday.

We have super-kingsize beds, decadent suites (each with a kitchen to chill all those bottles of fizz), deep fluffy duvets and DVD players for a mid-afternoon rom-com. Lovely!

A decedent suite at The Guesthouse East in Eastbourne

Click here for all our offers or ring 01323 722774 for more details.

Feel like a hero – take a Christmas day plunge in the sea in the aid of St Wilfred’s hospice. Think of the great cause and the calories you’ll burn off – everyone’s a winner!

The meet time is officially 8am on the beach opposite the Langham Hotel but you’re more than welcome to gather here at The Guesthouse East, the boutique bed and breakfast on Hartington Place, Eastbourne. I’m not promising to rub you in goose fat but there will be a warming cuppa and you can scamper the 50 yards to the beach with an extra spring in your step.

For more information or to pledge support you can call or email Louise Teixeira at events@stwhospice.org or on 01323 731451.

You’ll be basking in a warm glow by 11am – think how many guilt-free After Eight mints you’ll be able to reward yourself with…

My body seems to be telling me to slow down. Or at least to ignore Mike’s ‘encouragement’ at the regular Running Inn training sessions on a Wednesday night when we enjoy (or is that endure?) an array of different workouts along the Eastbourne sea front.

Mike’s definitely the bad cop of the dynamic team (no doubt thanks to the military background) with Fiona providing the soothing voice. Thankfully there’s a full range of ages and abilities with an opportunity to hide in the pack but inevitably my competitiveness will kick in and I’ll look to cling on to the A-group of serious runners, with their marathons in the bag. Still, they seem to tolerate my clumping steps and gasping  behind them and I’ll get a bit of encouragement at various breaks.

Getting ready for action

The Guesthouse East, the boutique hotel on Hartington Place, is always the start point, from 7.30pm on Wednesday evenings. Just pop along to sample a session and Mike and Fiona will talk to you about the club and the variety of training sessions on offer and you can meet the members and enjoy the banter. You might even want to sign up to one of the training weekends, where you’d receive a fitness assessment, pilates taster session, nutrition workshop and massage – as well as personal trainer-supported runs on the South Downs.  The next course is 22-24 Jan so a great chance to lose those mince pies!

As for today, I think some stretching is in order and Beachy Head is definitely out of bounds…

The artistic talents of the wife have out-manouevred blokey bah humbugism and the The Guesthouse East is ready for Christmas. Tasteful tinsel, pretty lights and a rather lovely wreath on the door. Ahh, kick back with a glass of mulled. Does it get any better?

Well, it might actually tonight, thanks to Christmas Magic 2009  kicking off in Eastbourne. Little Chelsea, the swanky district on our doorstep, is hosting Little Christmas, promising Father Chrismas, stalls and real reindeer. A quirk of fate – we’ve even got one of the organisers booked in for tonight. We’ve friends over from Spain as well - great timing. Just hope they’ve packed their woolly hats

We’ll be open and welcoming guests over the Chrsitams period. We even have a spare couple of suites since a late cancellation so give us a call if you need accommodation at Eastbourne’s boutique B&B!