A stay at The Sands has quietly become our thing. My wife and I slip away there twice a year, usually for a short, relaxed reset rather than a long holiday. Just a quick break to change the scenery, eat fabously sleep properly, and come home feeling a bit more human. It’s a rhythm that works, and The Sands continues to fit it perfectly.
This visit followed the familiar script. The location does most of the work. Being right on the beachfront immediately slows everything down. The waves were doing their thing out front while we were there, which always adds to the mood, even if you’re just watching rather than paddling out. The weather was ideal too. Calm, mild, and cooperative, the kind when St Francis is showing off.
There’s also that unavoidable surfer’s thought when you sit staring at the lineup for long enough. With the groyne project reshaping parts of the coastline, you can’t help but wonder what changes might come with more sand settling in the area. Watching the sets roll through with a coffee in hand, it’s hard not to speculate about how things out front might evolve in the months and years ahead.
Our room was wonderfully quiet. No background noise, no late-night disturbances, just solid, uninterrupted sleep. The hotel had a gentle buzz about it without ever feeling busy. There were a few friendly British visitors around, all in good spirits, which added a low-key social feel without tipping into anything loud or intrusive.
Dinner delivered fabulously, as expected. I went with the chicken curry, followed by ice cream, which felt like the correct decision from start to finish. Comforting, flavourful, and well judged. My wife had the risotto and was very happy with it. The food here consistently hits that sweet spot. It’s confident, smart and satisfying without trying to impress for the sake of it.
Breakfast deserves a special mention. The standout for me was the Eggs Benedict. There’s something quietly pleasing about ordering a dish that traces its origins back to a slightly hungover New Yorker in the late 1800s and eating it slowly while looking out at the ocean. Some traditions exist for a reason, and this one still feels entirely at home on an enticing hotel breakfast menu.
Service throughout the stay was relaxed and friendly. Staff were present, helpful, and efficient without hovering. Everything worked smoothly, from check-in to meals to the general flow of the place.
What keeps bringing us back to The Sands is the consistency, as well as the vibe. It doesn’t shout for attention or try to reinvent itself. It simply delivers a glorious, reliable experience every time. You arrive, you unwind, you eat well, you sleep properly, and you leave feeling better than when you arrived.
This was a quick stay, blink-and-you-miss-it stuff, but it did exactly what it needed to do. We drove home rested, well-fed with a few decadent homemade cookies as a farewell present, and slightly annoyed that normal life was waiting. Which is probably the best compliment you can give a place like this.
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• The accommodation was paid for in full. The review is independent and uninfluenced.
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