The Pier at Harwich – Harwich

Harwich · ★★★★ 4.7 (826 reviews) 14 rooms · 2 AA Rosette restaurants · Harbour views · Boutique quayside · From £150 B&B

The Pier at Harwich is a stylish boutique hotel perched on the historic Ha’penny Pier, where the Stour and Orwell estuaries meet the North Sea. Housed in a Grade II-listed 1850s lighthouse building, it combines maritime heritage with contemporary design, offering an intimate coastal escape in one of Essex’s most underrated ports—famous for its Tudor shipyards and ferry links to the Hook of Holland.

The 14 rooms, named after local lighthouses, blend nautical nods with luxury: exposed brick walls, Roberts radios, and rainfall showers in marble bathrooms. Superior rooms feature estuary views and private balconies for watching container ships glide by. Dining is the draw: the ground-floor Ha’penny Pier Bistro serves casual seafood platters, while upstairs MAYFLOWER holds 2 AA Rosettes for refined tasting menus like Dover sole with caper beurre noisette, using day-boat catches from Harwich Fishmarket. Breakfast, with smoked kippers and local black pudding, is served on the terrace.

Perfect for foodies and history buffs, the hotel arranges guided walks to the Redoubt Fortress or boat trips on the Ore. Its compact size ensures personalised service, with free on-site parking and easy access to Dovercourt Bay beach.

Pros

• Exceptional seafood dining with estuary views
• Intimate, characterful rooms
• Prime location for coastal exploration
• Attentive, knowledgeable staff

Cons

• Limited parking (pre-book essential)
• No on-site spa or pool