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.

Apparently Eastbourne has been touting itself as the New Brighton for yonks but maybe the hype is finally morphing into reality.

It remains a curious blend of old school chintz (certainly east of the pier), historical glamour and aspirational charm – the property development, Gresham House, next to us here at The Guesthouse East on Hartington Place sums it up rather well. Regency splendour with the beautiful Grade II-listed villas converted into urban chic and swanky apartments. The ‘Sold’ boards outside confidently assert that the London-esque prices haven’t deterred all despite the chill economic conditions.

There is a recognition that the town should embrace sentimentality (with 75th birthday celebrations for the Eastbourne bandstand this year) whilst welcoming ‘The Dark Monarch – Magic and Modernity in British Art’ at the impressive (and new) Towner Gallery, which includes work by Damian Hirst.

Even the national press seem to have finally recognised the momentum and tackled the A27, with recent pieces in the weekend travel supp of The Times and Culture 24.

So I suggest you pencil in a date and brace yourself for more than simply Beachy Head. You might just be very pleasantly surpised.

Double suites at the boutique hotel The Guesthouse East start from only £70 per night, self-catering. Bed and breakfast also available. Check availability or ring 01323 722774.

I’ve dusted down the barrels and even found 3 matching flights. Ok, my board looks like it came free with 2 litres of Esso oil back in 1987 (it did) but suddenly I feel I could be the new Phil The Power. The Ginger Magician perhaps? Frankly, Eric Bristow, aka The Crafty Cockney, was always a boyhood hero and somehow seemed to live the dream a bit more. Ahh, those epic battles with Jockey Wilson….

The closing date for entries for this year’s Eastbourne Darts Open is Monday 11th January so be quick if you fancy pulling a tight polyester top over the beer belly and taking on the big boys.

Though be warned: ‘No jeans, trainers, track suits to be worn on stage’. Poetic.

Somehow I feel I’ll be forced to fall back on vicarious enjoyment yet again (I never did get spotted by acting agents during Brighton Rock), and maybe I’ll get some high-rolling players staying here – the Winter Gardens, the home of darts for the weekend – is just 2 minutes down the road so who knows?

If you fancy staying here at The Guesthouse East, to either rack up a few legs with me or use as a base for your assault on the title click here for availability or ring on 01323 722774.

Morris dancing, brass bands and dancing in the streets and on the beach. All in Eastbourne and all quite surreal. But the way my toddler was jigging about on my shoulders and the crowds I’d say it’s a huge success – we’re only taking a breather, waiting for friends and then we’ll be back out there for more shenanigans.

It might be icy, dicey and apparently a white Christmas around the UK but no one had told Eastbourne to conform. Tropical might be pushing it, but it’s definitely mild with a hint of freshness in the wind. Perfect for walking off too many Thorntons chocolates.

When we bought The Guesthouse East back in August I have to say I had no idea so much happened in Eastbourne and what a great position our B&B enjoys. A bit flukey but it helps explain why we’re always busy. Take a look to see if we have any rooms free and join in the antics!

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…

You know you’ve made it in the world of Sussex bed and breakfast when the Rye & Battle Observer run a piece on you, titled Blob acclaim for The Guesthouse East. The editorial team clearly have an eye for detail with the title gaffe….but at least the word is spreading about the lastminute.com top 10 travel blog success.

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!

Nostalgic, fervent and gripping and refined – no, I’m not referring to The Guesthouse East – The LPO return to Eastbourne with Brahms’ fourth symphony, arguably the composer’s finest achievement.

The performance at the Congress theatre, just a few minutes walk from Eastbourne’s award-winning accommodation, starts at 3pm on Sunday November 1st. Tickets from £12.

A multi-million pound budget now needs to stretch that bit further – to cover the production delays caused by a couple of hoodlums out fishing on canoes yesterday afternoon, edging into shot and shattering the 1950′s illusion of Brighton Rock filming.

There is now a van positioned on Marine Parade containing a personal bodyguard with a canoe on the roof, ready to chase any water-bourne interferences out of the background. I just don’t have the heart (or should I say guts?) to admit that it was Tim, a guest here at The Guesthouse East in Eastbourne, and I…..

Blimey, the shooting for Brighton Rock has started in Eastbourne – to a cloudless, picture postcard back-drop (hoorah for Eastbourne’s micro-climate, I say!).

The Stanger clan took a break from B&B life with a stroll to take a quick look (and keep a furtive eye out for the all-star cast – Helen Mirren where are you??) but we weren’t alone as we sauntered along the pier with a rather eclectic mix of classic Eastbourne day-trippers, groovy urbanites and disgruntled fishermen.

At least we got an insider’s view thanks to a quick catch up on set with some of the crew stopping with us at The Guesthouse East - we even had a call-sheet dropped through the door this morning revealing timings, cast expected, etc.

Great to see the production kids, sporting their skinny jeans and facial hair, lifting the cool-quotient of Eastbourne to new levels. And that’s without counting Sam Riley and the Dame herself.