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The Aviator, formerly Smugglers Cove, Clacton On Sea by Marston's Inns

4.0 star property
Inn in Clacton-on-Sea with restaurant and bar/lounge

Choose dates to view prices

Smugglers Cove offers a welcoming atmosphere with modern comforts minutes from local sights. Guests can relax in the garden, enjoy drinks at the bar, or dine at the on-site restaurant. The property provides WiFi in all rooms, and the attentive staff ensure a smooth stay.

Reviews

8.8 out of 10
Excellent

Popular amenities

  • Bar
  • Housekeeping

Room options

Available filters for rooms
Showing 4 of 4 rooms

View all photos for Double or Twin Room

1 bedroom, desk, iron/ironing board, free WiFi

Double or Twin Room

9.0 out of 10
Wonderful
(22 reviews)

Highlights

Air conditioning
Flat-screen TV
Separate bedroom
Private bathroom
Hairdryer
Coffee/tea maker
Electric kettle
Digital channels
  • 20 sq m
  • Sleeps 2
  • 2 Twin Beds

View all photos for Double Room

1 bedroom, desk, iron/ironing board, free WiFi

Double Room

9.2 out of 10
Wonderful
(55 reviews)

Highlights

Air conditioning
Flat-screen TV
Separate bedroom
Private bathroom
Hairdryer
Coffee/tea maker
Electric kettle
Digital channels
  • 20 sq m
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 Double Bed

View all photos for Double or Twin Room, Accessible

1 bedroom, desk, iron/ironing board, free WiFi

Double or Twin Room, Accessible

8.6 out of 10
Excellent
(9 reviews)

Highlights

Air conditioning
Flat-screen TV
Separate bedroom
Private bathroom
Hairdryer
Coffee/tea maker
Electric kettle
Digital channels
  • 20 sq m
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 Double Bed

View all photos for Family Room

1 bedroom, desk, iron/ironing board, free WiFi

Family Room

9.6 out of 10
Exceptional
(17 reviews)

Highlights

Air conditioning
Flat-screen TV
Separate bedroom
Private bathroom
Hairdryer
Coffee/tea maker
Electric kettle
Digital channels
  • 20 sq m
  • Sleeps 4
  • 1 Double Bed and 1 Double Sofa Bed
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About the area

Map
Brook Park, Valley Road, Clacton-on-Sea, England, CO15 3TP

What's nearby

  • Princes Theatre - 3 min drive - 2.7 km
  • Clacton Pier - 4 min drive - 3.1 km
  • West Cliff Theatre - 4 min drive - 3.4 km
  • Clacton-on-Sea Beach - 4 min drive - 3.4 km
  • Jaywick Martello Tower - 10 min drive - 7.1 km

Getting around

  • Clacton-on-Sea Station - 3 min drive
  • London (SEN-Southend) - 78 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Smugglers Cove - ‬1 min walk
  • ‪Skinners Fish and Chips - ‬17 min walk
  • ‪The Aviator - ‬5 min walk
  • ‪KFC - ‬1 min walk
  • ‪Colin's Fish & Chips - ‬3 min drive

About this property

The Aviator, formerly Smugglers Cove, Clacton On Sea by Marston's Inns

Upscale inn
You can look forward to a garden, a bar and a restaurant at The Aviator, formerly Smugglers Cove, Clacton On Sea by Marston's Inns. Guests can connect to free in-room WiFi.
You'll also enjoy the following perks during your stay:
  • Free self-parking
  • Full breakfast (surcharge) and smoke-free property
  • Guest reviews say great things about the helpful staff
Room features
All guest rooms at The Aviator, formerly Smugglers Cove, Clacton On Sea by Marston's Inns offer comforts, such as air conditioning, as well as Guest reviews speak positively of the cleanliness rooms at the property.
More conveniences in all rooms include:
  • Bathrooms with showers and free toiletries
  • Flat-screen TVs with digital channels
  • Electric kettles, daily housekeeping and desks

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Property amenities

Internet

  • Available in all rooms: Free WiFi
  • Available in some public areas: Free WiFi

Parking and transport

  • Free self parking on site

Food and drink

  • Daily full breakfast available 7:00 AM to 10:00 AM for a fee: GBP 8.75 per person
  • A bar/lounge
  • A restaurant

Guest services

  • Housekeeping (daily)

Outdoors

  • Garden

Accessibility

  • If you have requests for specific accessibility needs, please contact the property using the information on the reservation confirmation received after booking.
  • No lift
  • Wheelchair accessible (may have limitations)

More

  • Smoke-free property

Room amenities

Bedroom

  • Bedsheets provided

Bathroom

  • Free toiletries
  • Hair dryer
  • Private bathroom
  • Shower
  • Towels provided

Entertainment

  • Flat-screen TV with digital channels

Food and drink

  • Coffee/tea maker
  • Electric kettle

More

  • Air conditioning
  • Desk
  • Iron/ironing board on request

Policies

Check-in

Check-in start time: 2:00 PM; check-in end time: 10:00 PM
Contactless check-in and check-out are available
Late check-in subject to availability
Minimum check-in age - 18

Check-out

Check-out before 11:00 AM
Contactless check-out

Special check-in instructions

There is no front desk at this property
The host will greet guests on arrival

Access methods

Host will greet you

Pets

Pets not allowed

Children and extra beds

Children are welcome

Payment types at the property

Important information

Optional extras

  • Fee for full breakfast: from approximately GBP 8.75 per person

The above list may not be comprehensive. Fees and deposits may not include tax and are subject to change.

You need to know

Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
This property accepts credit cards and debit cards; cash is not accepted
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher and a first aid kit

We should mention

This property does not have any lifts
Only registered guests are allowed in the guestrooms

Property is also known as

Smugglers Cove Marston's Inns Inn Clacton-on-Sea
Smugglers Cove Marston's Inns Inn
Smugglers Cove Marston's Inns Clacton-on-Sea
Smugglers Cove Marston's Inns
Inn Smugglers Cove by Marston's Inns Clacton-on-Sea
Clacton-on-Sea Smugglers Cove by Marston's Inns Inn
Inn Smugglers Cove by Marston's Inns
Smugglers Cove by Marston's Inns Clacton-on-Sea
Smugglers Cove Marston's Inns
Smugglers Cove by Marston's Inns
Smugglers Cove Clacton On Sea by Marston's Inns

Frequently asked questions

Is The Aviator, formerly Smugglers Cove, Clacton On Sea by Marston's Inns pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

How much is parking at The Aviator, formerly Smugglers Cove, Clacton On Sea by Marston's Inns?

Self-parking is free at this property.

What time is check-in at The Aviator, formerly Smugglers Cove, Clacton On Sea by Marston's Inns?

Check-in start time: 2:00 PM; check-in end time: 10:00 PM. Late check-in is available during limited hours.

What time is check-out at The Aviator, formerly Smugglers Cove, Clacton On Sea by Marston's Inns?

Checkout is at 11:00 AM.

Where is The Aviator, formerly Smugglers Cove, Clacton On Sea by Marston's Inns located?

Situated in Clacton-on-Sea, this inn is within 3 miles (5 km) of Princes Theatre, West Cliff Theatre and Clacton Pier. Clacton-on-Sea Beach and The Wheel Experience are also within 3 miles (5 km).

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Reviews

The Aviator, formerly Smugglers Cove, Clacton On Sea by Marston's Inns Reviews

8.8

Excellent

9.0

Cleanliness

8.6

Location

9.0

Staff & service

8.6

Eco-friendliness

8.8

Property conditions & facilities
Rating 10 - Excellent. 449 out of 764 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 205 out of 764 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 78 out of 764 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 18 out of 764 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 14 out of 764 reviews

Reviews

8/10 Good

Carol

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Very nice hotel & restaurant
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2025

10/10 Excellent

Alan

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
The rooms are fantastic, the pub serves amazing food and staff are super. Cant recommend enough
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2025

10/10 Excellent

Jo-Ann

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
The room was very comfortable and clean. Tea & Coffee was ample. Just got a snack from the restaurant and the food was excellent.
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2025

10/10 Excellent

Katie

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Nice quiet area in retail park, supermarkets and food places near by, only 7 minute drive to sea front
Stayed 1 night in Sep 2025

8/10 Good

Michael

Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Room was clean and newly decorated. Bed was very comfy. Quiet area, but good sound insulation anyway. Safe car-park visible from window. Reasonable menu for breakfast and evening meal. Maybe benefit from a small magnifying mirror in bathroom for ladies makeup?
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2025

10/10 Excellent

Mary

Liked: Amenities
Great all round. Special thanks to Karen too. Hope to visit again
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2025

10/10 Excellent

Ian

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

Lovely little hotel

Lovely little hotel at the side of the Aviator pub, check in at the pub was easy and staff are very friendly. The rooms are clean and beds are comfortable and a lovely big screen TV. The food at the pub is good value especially the breakfast.
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2025

10/10 Excellent

Troy

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Love ❤️
Stayed 1 night in Sep 2025

8/10 Good

Cilla

Liked: Staff & service
Breakfast was great, staff were lovely, but housekeeping wasnt up to standard, Pubic hairs left in bath, grime under toilet seat around rim, beds were very comfortable but rooms were very basic, no drawers, to put clothes in,
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2025

10/10 Excellent

Hayley

I liked the look of the pub, it was lovely and clean and very inviting
Stayed 1 night in May 2025

10/10 Excellent

Diane

Liked: Staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Clean, comfy beds and pillows. Easy to check in and out
Stayed 1 night in May 2025

10/10 Excellent

Ciaran

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Lovely clean property. Staff are very friendly and helpful.
Stayed 1 night in May 2025

6/10 Okay

Mark

Can’t complain for the price, clean and tidy rooms. The food over the road at the bar was good, good value for money.
Stayed 1 night in May 2025

8/10 Good

Allan

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
But noisy from passing traffic
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2025

10/10 Excellent

Audrey

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
amazing facility at an amazing price
Stayed 1 night in Apr 2025

10/10 Excellent

Alli

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
The rooms are modern and clean. There are USB points next to the bed, plenty of tea & Coffee and large bath towels. The beds are huge and comfy and it's just a lovely stay.
Stayed 1 night in May 2025

10/10 Excellent

Brian

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

Great overnight stay

Great room, extremely helpful and friendly staff, easy check and a a lovely great value for money breakfast experience. Second time we’ve stayed here this year!
Stayed 1 night in Feb 2025

8/10 Good

Lawrence

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Good value for money, plenty of shopping and dining options
Stayed 1 night in Dec 2024

8/10 Good

Rodney

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Easy access, plenty of parking spaces , very quiet, convenient to town and seafront
Stayed 3 nights in Feb 2025

10/10 Excellent

Thomas

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Very good clean place very very happy staff restaurant everything was very good and would definitely recommend this hotel to anybody
Stayed 2 nights in Dec 2024

10/10 Excellent

Peter

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

Best hotel in Clacton.

I stay here weekly and have done for 18 months, its always immaculate and very comfortable and is of exceptional value. I have stayed in most of the hotels in the Clacton and the region, and for me, this is the best value hotel.
Stayed 2 nights in Feb 2025

6/10 Okay

Zach

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Nice stay
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2024

6/10 Okay

Verified traveller

Disliked: Cleanliness

Fine but needs a good clean.

Pretty much a contractors stop over. Communal areas dirty bedroom carpets felt grubby and toilet hadnt been cleaned. The room had all the basic needs, tea and coffee facilities and more if you needed it at entrance. Night staff were friendly and helpful on our arrival. Good a/c in the room, firm bed and parking directly outside, just cleanliness is an issue here. Breakfast was ok, depending on your preferences.
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2025

10/10 Excellent

Sandra

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
We liked that the hotel was on one level also that it was close to everything that we wanted too visit, the food was lovely & the place was spotless will visit again.
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

Jackie

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Lovey hotel nice and quiet plenty of food outlets and transport into other areas friendly staff very helpful
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2024