The Aviator, Formerly Smugglers Cove, Clacton On Sea By Marston'S Inns Exterior photoThe Aviator, Formerly Smugglers Cove, Clacton On Sea By Marston'S Inns Exterior photoThe Aviator, Formerly Smugglers Cove, Clacton On Sea By Marston'S Inns Exterior photo
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From70US$ /night
Check-in
31May2026Select date
Check-out
01Jun2026Select date
Rooms and Guests2 Guests, 1 Room
Key details

About the Hotel

Hartley Brook Road Clacton On Sea, Clacton-on-Sea, United Kingdom, CO15 3TP
-
Close to Clacton Pier
Great
8.4
/10
4.1
/5

Rooms

The Aviator offers a choice of 38 guest rooms, including comfortable twin rooms and family accommodations for 2 adults and 2 children. Each room is equipped with a king-size Hypnos bed featuring a temperature-regulating Beaumont mattress. En-suite bathrooms and Freeview TV are included to enhance the stay experience.

Dining

Guests start the day with a hearty breakfast that includes a full range of tasty continental options and cooked-to-order full English breakfasts. The hotel's main menu offers a variety of dishes highlighting the famous pub hospitality. A takeaway menu is also available, allowing flexibility for dining options.

Location

The Aviator is situated just a 7-minute drive from Marine Parade, providing easy access to the seaside. For nature enthusiasts, the Essex Wildlife Trust Great Holland Pits is nearby, offering a variety of scenic walking trails. This central location makes it convenient for day trips and local attractions.

Parking

Complimentary parking is available for all guests at The Aviator. This benefit allows visitors to explore the area without the concern of parking fees. Secure parking facilities ensure peace of mind during the stay.

Family-Friendly Accommodations

Family rooms at The Aviator cater to busy families, featuring two single beds and ample space for children. Some family rooms include a sofa bed, enhancing sleeping arrangements for everyone. The hotel provides amenities suited for families, ensuring a comfortable stay for guests of all ages.

Highlights

Location: 7-minute drive from Marine Parade

Rooms: 38 guest rooms with choices for families

Dining: Hearty breakfast options and main menu

Parking: Complimentary parking for all guests

“The hotel struck me as a particularly solid choice in Clacton-on-Sea, especially given its proximity to local dining options and the seaside. I noticed the rooms are family-friendly with king-sized beds and high cleanliness standards. A relaxed feel permeates the place, right down to the hearty breakfast and helpful staff.”
Hotel logo
Olivia SmithEditor-in-Chief at Cheaphotels
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Select your room type

The hotel provides a selection of rooms—doubles, family rooms, and suites—with perks like free cancellation, breakfast options, and great value deals
Double or Twin Room
2 persons
220 sq. feet 
2 Single beds
Shower
Bathtub
Twin Room Disability Access
2 persons
220 sq. feet 
2 Single beds
Shower
Family Room
2 persons
220 sq. feet 
1 King-size bed
Shower
Bathtub
Double Room
2 persons
220 sq. feet 
1 King-size bed
Shower
Bathtub
Click button to see more rooms
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Amenities & services

Real traveler stories and honest reviews—no glossy ads, just authentic feedback to guide your booking
Facilities: Great
8.4/10Review score

General

  • No smoking on site
  • Wi-Fi
  • Parking
  • VIP check-in/ -out
  • No pets allowed
  • Rooms/ Facilities for disabled
  • Wheelchair access
  • Security
  • Smoke detectors
  • Electric vehicle charging station
  • Fire extinguishers
  • Key card access

Guest Parking

  • Electric kettle

Services

  • Housekeeping

Dining

  • Restaurant
  • Bar/ Lounge area

Children

  • Children's menu

Facilities for people with disabilities

  • Toilet for disabled
  • Bathroom for disabled

Spa & Leisure

  • Garden area

Room features

  • Air conditioning
  • Garden furniture
  • Tea and coffee facilities

Bathroom

  • Free toiletries
  • Sink

Self-catering

  • Electric kettle

Media

  • Flat-screen TV

Room decor

  • Carpeted floor
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Dining Onsite

At The Aviator, formerly known as Smugglers Cove, guests are invited to indulge in hearty British cuisine that caters to various dietary preferences. The warm, family-friendly atmosphere is perfect for gathering, whether for a leisurely lunch or a delightful dinner.

Smugglers Cove

British
Ambiance
A welcoming space designed for families, combining casual comfort with a vibrant atmosphere, allowing guests to relax and enjoy their meals together.
Key Offerings
Delight in a selection of hearty meals, with options for vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, and dairy-free diets. A full breakfast is served daily to start the day right.
Reservation
Not needed
Monday to Saturday: 11:30 AM - 11:00 PM; Sunday: 11:30 AM - 10:30 PM. Breakfast available from 7:00 AM.

The Aviator, Formerly Smugglers Cove, Clacton On Sea By Marston'S Inns Location

Hartley Brook Road Clacton On Sea, Clacton-on-Sea, United Kingdom, CO15 3TP
Map view
Hartley Brook Road Clacton On Sea, Clacton-on-Sea, United Kingdom, CO15 3TP
Nearby
Store
Tesco Superstore
700 ft
Restaurants
Kfc
3400 ft
London Road 1 Brook Retail Park
Great Chicken
5000 ft
55 Ravensdale
Explore Clacton-on-Sea
Local Highlights
Top Attractions
Activities
Dining
Entertainment
Clacton Pier
Clacton Pier
30 minutes' walk
A classic seaside pier with amusement rides and arcades, perfect for family fun and ocean views.
Saint Osyth Priory
15 minutes' walk
Historic priory with stunning gardens and architecture, a peaceful spot for history enthusiasts.
Martello Children's Zoo
30 minutes' drive
A family-friendly zoo featuring exotic animals and play areas, ideal for a fun day out with kids.
Beach Activities
10 minutes' drive
Water sports, sunbathing, and beach games at Clacton Pier Beach, great for thrill-seekers.
Relaxation at Martello Tower
30 minutes' walk
Stunning coastal walks and picnic spots near the historic Martello Tower, perfect for relaxation.
KFC
13 minutes' walk
Casual dining with famous fried chicken and family meals, perfect for a quick and satisfying meal.
Great Chicken
Great Chicken
19 minutes' walk
Popular spot known for its delicious fried chicken dishes served in a vibrant atmosphere.
Century Cinema
Century Cinema
25 minutes' walk
Local cinema featuring the latest films, a great venue for a relaxing evening out.
The Pavilion
The Pavilion
30 minutes' drive
Live music and events venue offering a lively atmosphere with something for everyone.
Getting around town
City Centre
Clacton-on-Sea29 min  ·  1.5 mi
Airports
London Stansted (STN)116 min  ·  47.7 mi
London Southend (SEN)134 min  ·  55.4 mi
Train
Clacton-on-Sea Railway Station24 min  ·  1.2 mi
Bus
Bus stop6 min  ·  1700 ft
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Check Rates
Property information and rules
Check-in
from 14:00-23:00
Check-out
until 11 am
Guest Parking
Private parking is possible on site for free.
Internet
Wireless internet is available in for free.
Breakfast
You can start your day with a full breakfast, which costs GBP8.75 per person per day. 
Children & extra beds
There are no cots provided in a room. 
Pets
Pets are not allowed.
Number of rooms:
38

Reviews and Ratings

What past guests shared about their stay
Review summary
Based on recent reviews
Powered by AI
The Aviator by Marston's Inns offers good-sized, clean, and cosy rooms, better than some guests anticipated, conveniently located near shops and fast food outlets, about a 15-minute drive from the seafront. Guests appreciate the ease of access to the hotel, including free parking and the option for online check-in and check-out. The on-site pub restaurant is a plus, serving reasonably priced food, although some have noted it can be a bit noisy at times.
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Review score
Based on 925 verified reviews
8.4/10
Great
86%
Recommend
Staff
8.9/10
Comfort
8.8/10
Free Wi-Fi
7.8/10
Facilities
8.4/10
Pros
Excellent receptionist
Immaculate room
Great food
Friendly staff
Good location
Cons
Dirty wall
Poor service
Guest reviews
based on 925 reviews
8.4/10
based on 2149 reviews
8.4/10
Charles from United Kingdom
Family with children
Double Room
3 nights in November 2025
|
Reviewed:February 05, 2026
9.0/10

FAB stay near the coast!

useful retail parksuper clean hotelcomfortable bedcute staff
i needed somewhere close to the retail park. the retail park has a supermarket, costa, m & s, all VERY useful. it was super super clean and the beds are comfortable. the bath was also REALLY deep. staff was helpful and cute.
checking in was OVER in the pub. someone would be there as long as we arrived by 11.00pm. we had to trek over to the pub to get a key card.
Rooms
9/10
the bedrooms feature USB sockets. you can find these placed conveniently. bathrooms have non slip floors. tea and coffee facilities are in abundance.
Location
8/10
the location allows easy access to the seafront. Frinton and Walton on the Naze are both not too far. there is a retail park nearby. it provides much convenience.
Facilities
10/10
breakfast service impressed me. i received excellent service. staff members showed very nice helpfulness. they handled situations professionally. staff is a real credit.
0 Helpful
|
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Georgia from Georgia
Family with children
Double Room
3 nights in November 2025
|
Reviewed:January 06, 2026
7/10
clean roomprovided teahigh hangerhard chair
the room was very clean. i appreciated the provided tea, coffee, and milk. these little extras.. clean towels were available daily.
the location of the hangers was quite high. this made them difficult to reach for people with mobility issues. i found only one hard chair available for seating, which wasn't ideal.
0 Helpful
George from United Kingdom
Single
Double Room
3 nights in June 2025
|
Reviewed:September 18, 2025
8/10
smart roomslovely food
My room decor was smart. Comfort of the room and heating controls worked. The pub in the complex had cool staff and lovely food.
The bathroom was not clean on edges. It had dust, dirt and hair.
0 Helpful
sebastian from germany
Family with children
family room
3 nights in August 2025
|
Reviewed:September 15, 2025
6/10

a decent stay overall

spacious roomwell-furnished roomhelpful staffheater issuecold airno assistance
The room was spacious and well-furnished. i appreciated the bathroom having a bath. It was a pleasant surprise. staff were cute and quickly moved me to a new room when the tv wasn't working (it was a simple process).
i asked for the heater to be turned on, and someone said they would send someone to do it. no one ever turned off the air conditioning, blowing cold air. the room was very cold the next morning (this happened twice in two weeks).
0 Helpful
Aaron from United States
Family with children
Double Room
3 nights in June 2025
|
Reviewed:August 27, 2025
7/10

A Solid Stay

air-conditioningsmart televisionbroken lightwall marks
The room had air-conditioning, welcome. A large smart television offered entertainment options. The ensuite bathroom had nice facilities.
I noticed a broken light fitting next to the bed (it posed a minor inconvenience). There were also some marks visible on the walls.
0 Helpful
Hudson from Canada
Family with children
Family Room
3 nights in June 2025
|
Reviewed:July 11, 2025
8.7/10

Solid Stay Near the Coast

breakfast optioncomfortable temperatureamicable teamlow towel supply
Breakfast included several options and provided plenty of energy. The hotel provided air conditioning , made the room temperature very comfortable. The team members welcomed us and were amicable, helpful people.
I noticed the towel supply was less than expected, and I asked for replenishment.
Service
9/10
The staff responded helpfully and promptly to inquiries. Online check-in was possible and made arrival very swift. Team members were available to assist with directions and local information, made navigation easy.
Rooms
8/10
My room included multiple plug sockets, useful for charging devices. I had a modern television and a table appropriate for working. The bed in the room was comfortable, with super clean bedding provided.
Dining
9/10
The hotel provides a restaurant with varied food choices for both dinner and breakfast. There was a good option of continental items, including cereals. I found the cooked breakfast fresh.
0 Helpful
|
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FAQs
About The Aviator, Formerly Smugglers Cove, Clacton On Sea By Marston'S Inns
What are the check-in and check-out times at The Aviator, Formerly Smugglers Cove, Clacton On Sea By Marston'S Inns?
Check-in is from 14:00 and check-out is by 11:00.
Is parking available at The Aviator, Formerly Smugglers Cove, Clacton On Sea By Marston'S Inns?
Free parking is available on-site without the need for a reservation.
What dining options does The Aviator, Formerly Smugglers Cove, Clacton On Sea By Marston'S Inns provide?
Guests can enjoy a continental breakfast for an additional charge and dine at the on-site restaurant and bar.
Which attractions are near The Aviator, Formerly Smugglers Cove, Clacton On Sea By Marston'S Inns?
Nearby attractions include Marine Parade (2 km) and Essex Wildlife Trust Great Holland Pits (2 km).
What room amenities are available at The Aviator, Formerly Smugglers Cove, Clacton On Sea By Marston'S Inns?
Rooms feature a flat-screen TV, free Wi-Fi, tea and coffee making facilities, and private bathrooms.
Are there any family-friendly amenities at The Aviator, Formerly Smugglers Cove, Clacton On Sea By Marston'S Inns?
The hotel offers family rooms accommodating up to four guests, a children's menu, and a garden area.
What is the closest airport to The Aviator, Formerly Smugglers Cove, Clacton On Sea By Marston'S Inns?
London Stansted Airport is located 80 km away from the hotel.
What types of cuisines are offered at The Aviator, Formerly Smugglers Cove, Clacton On Sea By Marston'S Inns restaurant?
Guests can choose from a diverse menu including main dishes and takeaway options.
Is Wi-Fi available at The Aviator, Formerly Smugglers Cove, Clacton On Sea By Marston'S Inns?
Complimentary high-speed Wi-Fi is available throughout the property.
How far is The Aviator, Formerly Smugglers Cove, Clacton On Sea By Marston'S Inns from the city center?
The city center of Clacton-on-Sea can be reached within a 25-minute walk (approximately 2 km).

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Check-in
31May2026Select date
Check-out
01Jun2026Select date
Rooms and Guests2 Guests, 1 Room