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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

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

Daily full breakfast (GBP 8.75 per person)
Exterior detail
Interior entrance
Double or Twin Room
Garden

Reviews

8.8 out of 10
Excellent

Popular amenities

  • Bar
  • Housekeeping
The current price is €162
includes taxes & fees
20 Aug - 21 Aug

Room options

Available filters for rooms
Showing 4 of 4 rooms

View all photos for Double or Twin Room

Double or Twin Room

Double or Twin Room

9.0 out of 10
Wonderful
(19 reviews)

Highlights

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

View all photos for Double Room

Double Room

Double Room

9.2 out of 10
Wonderful
(49 reviews)

Highlights

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

View all photos for Family Room

Desk, iron/ironing board, free WiFi, bed sheets

Family Room

9.6 out of 10
Exceptional
(16 reviews)

Highlights

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

View all photos for Double or Twin Room, Accessible

Double or Twin Room, Accessible

Double or Twin Room, Accessible

8.6 out of 10
Excellent
(9 reviews)

Highlights

Air conditioning
Flat-screen TV
Private bathroom
Hairdryer
Coffee/tea maker
Electric kettle
Digital channels
Daily housekeeping
  • 20 sq m
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 Double Bed
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About the area

Clacton-on-Sea is home to The Aviator, formerly Smugglers Cove, Clacton On Sea by Marston's Inns. Jaywick Martello Tower and Mistley Towers are local landmarks, and some of the area's attractions include Clacton Pier and The Wheel Experience. Looking to enjoy an event or a game while in town? See what's happening at Brightlingsea Open Air Swimming Pool or The Royal Oak.
Visit our Clacton-on-Sea travel guideOpens in a new window
View more Inns in Clacton-on-SeaOpens in a new window
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

  • McDonald's
  • The Aviator
  • ‪KFC Clacton - Brook Retail Park - ‬1 min walk
  • ‪Colin's Fish & Chips - ‬4 min drive
  • ‪Costa Coffee - ‬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

Languages

English

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

This property is managed by a professional host. The provision of housing is linked to their trade, business or profession.
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
If you cancel your booking, you'll be subject to the host's cancellation policy. In accordance with EU regulations about consumer rights, property booking services are not subject to the right of withdrawal.

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 does it cost to stay at The Aviator, formerly Smugglers Cove, Clacton On Sea by Marston's Inns?

As of 12 Aug 2025, prices found for a 1-night stay for 2 adults at The Aviator, formerly Smugglers Cove, Clacton On Sea by Marston's Inns on 20 Aug 2025 start from €161.95, including taxes and fees. This price is based on the lowest nightly price found in the last 24 hours for stays in the next 30 days. Prices are subject to change. Choose your dates for more accurate prices.

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

Reviews

8.8

Excellent

Rating 10 - Excellent. 428 out of 723 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 190 out of 723 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 74 out of 723 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 17 out of 723 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 14 out of 723 reviews

9.0/10

Cleanliness

9.0/10

Staff & service

8.6/10

Amenities

8.8/10

Property conditions & facilities

8.6/10

Eco-friendliness

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

stacy

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
I was very happy with my stay, lovely room,, comfortable beds, good variety for breakfast and close to beach etc
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2025

8/10 Good

Kym

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Very pleasant place to stay overnight
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2025

10/10 Excellent

Jane

Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Lovely staff and room was lovely.
Stayed 1 night in May 2025

2/10 Terrible

Lynn

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Lovely place to stay
Stayed 1 night in May 2025

10/10 Excellent

Alex

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
I will come again very clean room and good food very pleased overall.
Stayed 1 night in Jun 2025

10/10 Excellent

Tina

Liked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities
We had a lovely stay at the Aviator , we will be going there again ,well worth what was charged 🙂
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2025

10/10 Excellent

STEVEN

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Nice and easy…plenty of parking…tea making facility was good and if you need more just ask whatever you wanted wasn’t a problem
Stayed 1 night in Jun 2025

10/10 Excellent

Caroline

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Usually stay in premier inn but was double the price!! First time here and i fid think it would be out of the way but ot wasn't. Nice pub & restaurant and shops nearby. Will definitely return
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2025

10/10 Excellent

Gary

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
A lovely room, wetroom needed some shelves for storing bathroom bits and could have done with an extra chair in the room
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2025

10/10 Excellent

Jayne

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Very comfortable beds.
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

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

Philip

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Great little hotel , away from the chaos of being on the sea front.Friendly staff, clean and
Stayed 4 nights in May 2025

2/10 Terrible

Nicky

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
No protector on mattress or pillows big disappointment , breakfast was good bathroom smelled
Stayed 1 night in Jul 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

8/10 Good

Gordon

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Nice room, very disappointing breakfast
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2025

10/10 Excellent

Michael

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
.
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2025

8/10 Good

John

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Enjoyable 4 day stay would come again
Stayed 4 nights in Feb 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

Leigh

Well all l can say is it’s lovely comforting room as it’s is our 5th time we stay at smugglers cove but I’ve notice it’s changed to The Activor again it’s no problem at still very happy staying there as we always come back when we visiting my family in Walton which is not far Thank you hope to see you again
Stayed 1 night in Jun 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

8/10 Good

Peter

Liked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities
Safe and easy parking
Stayed 5 nights in Apr 2025

6/10 Okay

Craig

Disliked: Staff & service
Nice place but not told were checking in was and was told get 20 percent off meals but this wasn’t the case
Stayed 1 night in Jun 2025

8/10 Good

Anna

Liked: Amenities
All good
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2025