boutique

IF you want a break by the sea, then now is the best time to visit The Ship after a huge makeover last year.

Here’s everything you need to know.

Where is The Ship hotel?

Starting life as a fisherman’s pub, The Ship has stood at the foot of the hill in Leigh-on-Sea since the 18th century.

What is the hotel like?

However, the building was given a stylish makeover in 2025 and is now a cosy, coastal retreat with sea views and spacious, modern rooms.

What are the rooms like?

This boutique hotel has 15 rooms and a very welcoming and homely feel.

Check-in at the bar is relaxed and you also have the option to digitally check-in in advance, which is very convenient.

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I was impressed with the guest rooms, which hit the perfect note in combining comfort and design.

The Endeavour Suite feels extra special.

For a small price upgrade, you get a loft-style room with a sofa and living area, sea views from a large window and a terrace overlooking the water.

Newly decorated, a lot of effort has gone into making these rooms a sanctuary for guests. Be warned if you have an early start, though.

Fluffy duvets and pillows, along with the snug mattresses make it very difficult to leave.

Rooms start from £102 including breakfast. Visit theshiphotel.co.uk or call 01702 413452 for 15% off by booking directly with the hotel.

What is there to eat and drink?

Definitely eat at the hotel, which has excellent food.

Being so close to the coast the main menu leans toward seafood dishes, with vegetables and meat from local Essex farms.

They also serve fantastic Sunday roasts.

The beef-dripping Yorkshire puddings with Malden sea salt are worth making a reservation for, even if you’re not staying overnight at the hotel.

As well as the laid-back restaurant, there is also a small, but excellent bar.

More fitting of a swanky London cocktail club, the creative menu includes smoke-infused martinis and very spicy margaritas.

If you are staying a few days, I highly recommend getting a reservation at GABS too, which is a cute, bohemian restaurant across the road.

They also serve creative cocktails and have a sophisticated menu. I suggest going for a choice of ‘picky bits’. The whipped feta with honey, figs and pistachio, served with sourdough is frankly superb.  

What else is there to do nearby?

Some rooms include parking in the private car park outside is a great find and absolutely perfect for a weekend away in Essex.

They also offer in-room massages, meaning with a great restaurant and cocktails on your very own roof terrace, you might decide you don’t even need to leave the hotel.

Otherwise the Ship Hotel is perfectly positioned to explore the surprisingly adorable town of Leigh-on-Sea.

You can easily reach Leigh Old Town, on the water’s edge, which I also happened to have a perfect view of from my room.

There are lots of pubs, bars and seafood shacks, many with seating on an outdoor terrace, idyllic in summer.

You can also walk up the hill to New Leigh and the charming high street, which is packed with cool coffee shops, quirky boutiques and trendy bars that are very popular over the weekend.

The grand finale was a view of the spectacular sunset from my room – not always guaranteed, but stunning if you get lucky.

Is the hotel family friendly?

There are family and interconnecting rooms, as well as cots and highchairs on request.

is it accessible?

The hotel has wheelchair access and a lift to all floors, along with accessible rooms that have adapted bathrooms.