The Bite Magazine - Summer 2019 - Issue 25

bite spa review Roslin Beach Hotel A Revitalising Sojourn Magdalena Kaczmarek escaped to the Southend coast for an overnight break at the charming boutique Roslin Beach Hotel overlooking Thorpe Bay Beach. J ust under an hour from London's Fenchurch Street, Roslin Beach Ho- tel is a peaceful haven far from the big urban smog and sensory overload of the British capital. On the hottest week- end of the year with temperatures tipped to reach the 30°C mark, this meant only one thing: it's the perfect time for a sea- side escape. So, I packed a towel, grabbed my flip-flops, picked up my best friend, jumped on the train and headed to sun- ny Essex. The only way, so they say... Surrounded by sun-soaked award-win- ning beaches, this serene yet stylish boutique AA Four Silver Stars hotel had me charmed right from the start. With infamous beach huts along Thorpe Es- planade to the east of Southend town centre, the Roslin Beach Hotel dazzles city dwellers dreaming of the prospect of cosy nights stay at a beautiful coastal retreat. Once inside, the decor style exudes a calm and serene ambience. As we walked through the lobby, immaculate attention to detail visible at every corner captivat- ed me instantly, and I became bewitched by its Zen aesthetics. The fact that this chic building underwent a major trans- formation with the recent refurbishment to become Essex's most luxurious hotel in Thorpe Bay is what makes it fresh. A glimpse of the brown shades of natu- ral wooden floors, inviting wicker chairs, 'chill out' zones scattered throughout, decorative swirling seashells accents, and fresh flowers had us falling in love with this place – it was like walking through a botanical garden. The hallways covered in the flamboyant, banana leaf-patterned wallpaper were bound to leave a lasting impression. Now a chic retreat, the hotel offers a luxury spa, and as anyone who knows me will tell you, I cannot visit a hotel without sampling their spa treatments. Having pre-booked our pampering ses- sion, we arrived two hours before the scheduled check-in time at 3pm, so our room wasn't ready. The friendly, polite and attentive staff had us feeling relaxed the moment we came through the front door. Feeling a bit peckish, we decided to have a light lunch at the alfresco terrace while our luggage was being taken care of and we waited for our treatments. As well as the view, people flock here for the food. This coastal hideaway comes complete with a two AA Rosettes restau- rant, bar and waterfront terrace offering ample seating to relax and soak up the surroundings. On the lower deck, guests can walk straight to the beach. Whether it's a late breakfast, afternoon tea or al- fresco drinks, hours at the Roslin Beach can easily be lost gazing seawards. A breezy iconic decked terrace, sheltered by glass panels, which stretches along the hotel's front facade, was heaving on this sunny day. After some pondering, I chose a light- ly seasoned and chargrilled octopus served with harissa yoghurt, smoked roe, and onions. A must-try for seafood lovers! My friend opted for delicious