10 Best Hotels in The Southeast, England

Chic and sleek, this hotel a little off the seafront (three minutes' walk from Brighton Pier) is all about relaxation. The stylish rooms are painted in restful, pale shades of blue and white, and the spacious beds are swaddled in soft white linens. Breakfast offers a mix of continental options—muesli, fresh fruit, pancakes—to accompany the (meaty or vegetarian) "full English." The look is minimal without being cold, and the service hits just the right note of friendliness and helpfulness.

This historic B&B, which dates back 600 years and was written about by Dickens, offers a unique and stylish stay not far from Canterbury West Station. Many of the rooms make use of the building's lovely original features; others, in the converted stable block, are more modern. Either way, they are decorated with a contemporary touch (ask for the Paris room with its lovely roll-top tub). Breakfasts are delicious, with plenty of local specialties and healthier options.

Located in Boxgrove, a village just northeast of Chichester, this charming B&B offers space, comfort, and personalized service within a gorgeous, 17th-century thatched cottage. The two suites here are large and characterful, with traditional features like bowed timber beams, squat-to-enter doorways, and antique furniture complemented by modern luxuries like rainfall showers, large and comfy beds, and fast Wi-Fi. Guests are welcomed by the owners with a spot of tea and cake in the garden, while hearty breakfasts are served every morning in the historic dining room.

One of the Southeast's most unusual B&Bs, this 450-year-old whitewashed windmill overlooking the River Tillingham is home to lovely bedrooms with large bathrooms, including walk-in showers. If it's available, opt for the extraordinary two-floor Windmill Suite, which has a balcony with panoramic views of the town and surrounding countryside. There's no restaurant, but guests can enjoy the comfy lounge—complete with a roaring fire and an honesty bar—in the evenings, and hearty and delicious breakfasts are served in the beam-roofed breakfast room. Enthusiastic and well-informed hosts Toby and Kathryn are on hand to help with everything from sightseeing recommendations to restaurant reservations.

This lovely, larger-than-you-expect farmhouse on the grounds of Sissinghurst Castle was originally built in 1885 and lovingly restored in 2009 by the National Trust. Tastefully decorated in muted, neutral color schemes, bedrooms are spacious and welcoming, with comfy beds, modern bathrooms, and sumptuous views across the estate. On arrival, guests are served tea with homemade cakes in the cozy communal lounge—or in the garden if the weather's nice—while charcuterie and cheese platters can be ordered in the evening (there's no restaurant). An honesty bar stocked with snacks and drinks is also available—though make sure to save enough space for tomorrow's deliciously filling breakfast.

There's a general Zen vibe (and no TVs) at this boutique B&B in the quieter St. Leonard's district of Hastings, making it a thoroughly relaxing place to stay. The comfortable, light-filled guest rooms are decorated in soothing tones of gray and polished wood, with beautiful art on the walls. A holistic approach is taken to guests' health and well-being—four dedicated therapists offer aromatherapy, Reiki, shiatsu, or hot-stone treatments, while delicious, well-balanced breakfasts and dinners are served in the excellent restaurant. The owners could hardly be friendlier, nor the atmosphere more relaxed.

In Warrior Square at the edge of Hastings, this boutique guesthouse brings a funky, modern style to a grand Victorian building. Its individually styled guest rooms are chic and stylish, with big, comfortable beds and bright splashes of color. Marble bathrooms are small, but just big enough. Rooms 3, 5, and 7 have sea views but are also the priciest in the house. Dinner is available if you let the owners know in advance, as is afternoon tea.

Antiques fill the cozy bedrooms of this rambling 1689 house, where the snug, painted-and-paneled parlor has a wood-burning stove for cold days. The delicious breakfast menu includes smoked wild salmon with scrambled eggs, French cheese and croissants, and a Rye variant on Welsh rarebit (fancy cheese on toast). It's served in a galleried room formerly used for Quaker meetings. Check out the extraordinary inscription by the front door; it alludes to the date the foundation stone was laid by Samuel Jeake, a local Puritan with a powerful belief in astrology. One room does not have its own bath.

A calm oasis in the heart of Brighton, this guesthouse is filled with contemporary art and designer accessories. The rooms are compact but smartly designed, with beds supported on platforms of glass bricks that filter an ocean-blue light. Splash out on the beautifully adorned Gin Room, which boasts sea and pier views.

Roaring fires, cozy rooms, and friendly locals give this 500-year-old inn its wonderful feeling of old-world authenticity. The bedrooms differ in size, shape, and style, but all are comfortable and bright with armchairs, flat-screen televisions, and modern bathrooms with rolltop tubs. You can enjoy a pint with the regulars downstairs, or dine in the good restaurant, which serves locally sourced, seasonal produce; the lamb and beef supply can be found grazing in nearby fields, while the fish are delivered by the local Shoreham fishermen who caught them. The Ram is 4½ miles southeast of Lewes, off the A27 just before Charleston.