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

Good sized car park. Comfy bed. Air con was noisy, couldn’t have slept with it on but accommodation was fairly quiet overall. Had an evening meal, food was good value and very tasty. Quite a noisy and lively vibe in the bar/restaurant with the tvs showing sport but it felt friendly. Staff were very friendly and polite. Would stay again.

Clean Room, Helpful Receptionist, Aircon worked, Shops nearby

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.

Free parking on site.

First time staying in a Marston's hotel. We were impressed with the size of the room and the comfort of the beds. Check in was straightforward as I'd done this online and could then just pick up the key. Downsides were, there's no lift available. It's only a single set of stairs, so not really a problem for us but may be for others.The air conditioning didn't seem to work - fortunately you can open the windows of the room. We mentioned the air con on checkout and were told that you have to phone them up to request it be activated. We feel a note under the controls or in the welcome information would have prevented confusion and we'd have had a more comfortable stay. Other than that, the location is pretty good, located about a 10 minute drive to clacton and there are lots of food places nearby if you don't want to eat at the pub. Check-in and checkout times were both reasonable. Overall we'd recommend the hotel.

Very nice wet room and comfy beds , i had lots of room for my mobility scooter in our grond floor room

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

Safe and easy parking

The "accessable" shower seat did not come down at all, neither did the handle next to it. Other than that, there were no issues, clean room, friendly staff.

The only thing we didn’t like was having to check in at the Pub, but what we did like was the aviator Pub and the staff that worked there. The waitresses, and bar staff were excellent, free and easy parking was excellent. located nicely near shops and eateries.

Clean room, quiet, bed was comfortable. Had everything I needed. Even had a bath which I enjoyed. Complimentary tea/coffee /milk, extra available in the foyer. Didn't have any food as was visiting family

Rooms had everything we needed, clean and tidy. Food at the restaurant was good and the service was excellent

Very clean, comfortable bed and pillows plenty of tea, coffee and milk pods and evening receptionist always very pleasant and helpful very reasonably priced as well have stayed here at least 7 times and will continue too

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,

The room was comfortable but the cleanliness was very poor. We were kept awake by people running back and forth outside the room. Next morning there were drug/gas bottles in the car park.

Good clean room, ample Tea/Coffee, very quiet, no complaints from me.

We arrived to book in at the pub and greated by welcoming staff all friendly. When we went to our room the toilet was not clean. The next morning we had breakfast and then askwd for an ironing board as states in the entrance to request for one. The ironing board we told would be there soon. It never arrived. Bed was fine for thr value for money the bedroom was fine just not fully clean in thr bathroom which is disappointing

Reception staff very helpful Shame the cleaness was very poor Stained toilet dirty floor, cobweb above window in bed area, dirty carpet on the side were window along side bed table, toe nail clippings, skirting not wipe, I took pictures of all faults, could not let anyone know when we left as reception was not open (9:30) Very disappointed as at first it looked really nice, not too sure if I would recommend it

Our bathroom particularly the toilet bowl was not clean, there was a hole in the wall connected to bathroom. The restaurant accessories eg. Coffee machine menus holders were not clean

Check in staff were helpful, but apart from that not a very good experience. The room was not well maintained. There was a big brown mark in the bottom of the toilet, towel rail was broken, cobwebs throughout, walls all scratched, hair in the plug hole, kettle scaled up, lightbulbs not working.

Good sized car park. Comfy bed. Air con was noisy, couldn’t have slept with it on but accommodation was fairly quiet overall. Had an evening meal, food was good value and very tasty. Quite a noisy and lively vibe in the bar/restaurant with the tvs showing sport but it felt friendly. Staff were very friendly and polite. Would stay again.

Room was very spacious. Bed was so comfortable. Everything was clean and pleasant to look at and use.

There’s a building site at the rear of the property that starts at 8.30am very noisy no fridge in room other than that very good hotel although I wouldn’t stay again until the building works finish

We had a lovely stay, rooms airy and large, fabulous shower, tea/coffee making facilities. Parked the car outside our window. Breakfast was a bit disappointing, my husband ordered a full English, but when it arrived half the breakfast advertised was missing, living in France this is something he misses. We enquired the next day but it was still the same. Delivery the day we left 😔 . Buffet was good. The staff were great and very friendly Definitely book with them again.

Well located lodge on the outskirts of Clacton with several eateries around. Ideal for visiting family. We found the room quiet, clean and comfortable, well maintained with ample tea and coffee available. Good bathroom facilities. The king size bed and duvet was very comfortable but unfortunately the requested extra single beds were of very poor quality. One of which it was possible to feel the mattress springs through the sheet, leading to a very uncomfortable nights sleep. Have stayed in Marstons inns before and encountered the same problem with the additional single bed. Over all not a bad place to stay.

Again the room wasn't made up properly. Previously I've been sent down to a room that wasn't clean. Ended up watching the ladies do the house keeping. I was having a really nice day. Prices a little higher than I am used to, but not too expensive. I had some nice drinks and my girlfriend and I had a meal. By time you factor in the cost of the room, drinks, and a meal it's about 120 quid. Should be a nice time away. Then you find. Even after my girlfriend phone reception. That the room is made up of 2 singles instead of a double bed. Okay the lady did come and change it. But I was met with excuses. We are short staffed, someone else got it wrong. That kind of thing. I spend a lot of money with hotels and this kind of thing is becoming all too common. Also room 101 had terrible outside noise coming into it. It's an accessible room so sadly we can't always book elsewhere. It's either people above or those coming in and out smoking all night that stop you sleeping.I was going to book 2 nights but I can't risk going to work tired on Monday Room wasn't right and too noisy for a work night sleep

the only complaint i have is the double bed was two singles put together and you could feel the divide

But noisy from passing traffic

As per the title. The hotel is pretty new so all in nice clean condition but the beds were awfully uncomfortable. We resorted to putting a spare duvet onto the mattress to work as a mattress topper to try to make it comfortable but it still affected our sleep.

Nice room clean and everything you need. My only complaint was the mattress it was awful just how I imagine that a prison mattress would be.

Located well. Good facilities near by but the staff were slow and rude. We went in for dinner about 8 30pm and the waitress booking people looked annoyed and was rude. Then took another waitress half an hour to serve. The room itself was ok, but needed to be cleaned properly. Still had bottle tops on the floor and and dirt from previous people. The bathroom smelt funny and the aircon unit was so noisy it kept me awake.

From check in to check out the service was first class. Attentive staff couldn’t do enough. Lovely clean rooms with good facilities and the most comfortable bed. Wish I could have stayed longer. Only down side I paid for breakfast on this site but had to pay hotel as they had no record of it

Checked in. First of all care did work. Then went out of room then key didn’t work. Went back to reception. Got another 2 keys still didn’t work. I had to demand another room. First they said it was full. This happened to another guy to. Sorted on the end

The receptionist was attentive, friendly and efficient. We could not have asked for more.

Friendly staff, well organised check in, except that needed to be done across car park in the the pub, a prior flag would help. Rooms clean, functional and keenly priced. Food and bar clean well appointed family venue serving good food. Will check availability of chain when next planning a trip in UK

Excellent location, friendly service very quick check in and self service check out was great.

This hotel suited our purpose with the location and price. The availability of dining in the nearby restaurant was great, dinner and breakfast was good quality and ample to set you up for the day ahead. All staff were great.

Reception was very welcoming and we had a good evening meal in the restaurant. Breakfast however was very slow both days. I decided to have poached eggs on toast the second day and they were very undercooked so I couldn't eat any of it. I would have complained but after waiting so long for it to arrive there really wasn't time to reorder. Our room was ok except the bathroom was a disabled wet room instead of a standard bathroom, which we didn't book. I would definitely go there again for an evening meal but I don't think I would stay there again.

We checked in on the 6th at about 6.30pm and the place was very busy. The reception was welcoming had our booking and we checked in quite quickly given how busy they were. When we got to the accessible room we’d booked it was clear and tidy. Unfortunately there were no towels and only half a roll of toilet paper. Went back to reception and it was even busier and no one on the reception desk but one of the staff who was passing by acknowledged I was waiting and said she’d be back. She asked how could she help and I told her about the towels and she immediately went to get them for me unfortunately she didn’t hear me call out I’d forgotten to mention toilet paper. When she got back I told her and apologised and she could not have been nicer and rush to get me one and said though I misheard she take it directly to the room. I left my partner to wait and when I got to the room she was already there with the toilet paper. I was very impressed she did it all with a smile and was extremely welcoming even though she was rushed off her feet. My partner did have a problem when showering as he could not get the seat down to shower. The toilet seat was a bit wobbly . We were very tired and not very hungry so opted to get a Salad from the M&S food place next door but the menu for the restaurant looked as if it could meet the needs of families and judging by how busy it was it was very popular. We’d booked continental breakfast in the morning and it was very nice.

Staff very helpful and polite from the house keeping staff to the reception. Room was a good size, clean beds for us were too soft but once found a reasonable comfortable position had a reasonable sleep. Can I just say that when customers are asking for an early booking in time and booking breakfast before arriving, it would be helpful if you could inform the customers that they needed to pay for the extras on arrival or as soon as the reception opens at 1330hrs. As there was a bit of a mix up over the way that payment should be paid, I received a very pleasant phone call while at the function I was attending, as I said it would have been so much easier if I had been made aware before hand. Apart from that a very pleasant place to stay and would be happy to return if needing to stay over again in the Clacton area. David McGrath

Stayed for the Clacton air show, bit of a walk into town but not too bad, staff were lovely, rooms very nice! Pleasantly surprised to find they had air conditioning!

Hotel was fine for the price. But I think you should update your publicity photo to show all the house’s beings built behind it. Also do something about the postcode, the satnav took us miles up the road and others said the same.

Great convenient location close to Claction. Clean and well kept. Bed was comfortable. Only downside is the checkin which is located in a seperate building, but only a 2 minute walk away.

Nice quiet area in retail park, supermarkets and food places near by, only 7 minute drive to sea front

I was very happy with my stay, lovely room,, comfortable beds, good variety for breakfast and close to beach etc

Great stay here! Staff attentive at the pub (Aviator) next to hotel. Irish bloke was brilliant and made us all laugh several times whilst having breakfast and put us at ease. Friendliest person ever. Easy to park, good value for money. Big Tesco/ M&S/Lidl/ McDonald’s etc retail park nearby could walk to and great location.

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

Easy access, plenty of parking spaces , very quiet, convenient to town and seafront

Nice clean accommodation with ample car parking. The inn is in the middle of a retail park with few roadside pavements, so local guidance is needed to find the footpaths and subway to get to stores and bus stops. Unusually for a Marstons the beer in the pub was undrinkable and the wine over chilled to the point of creating crystals.

The only thing we didn’t like was having to check in at the Pub, but what we did like was the aviator Pub and the staff that worked there. The waitresses, and bar staff were excellent, free and easy parking was excellent. located nicely near shops and eateries.

Good sized car park. Comfy bed. Air con was noisy, couldn’t have slept with it on but accommodation was fairly quiet overall. Had an evening meal, food was good value and very tasty. Quite a noisy and lively vibe in the bar/restaurant with the tvs showing sport but it felt friendly. Staff were very friendly and polite. Would stay again.

Once again, Room 101 was beautifully clean (Thank you, Charlotte in Housekeeping). Lots of Tea & Coffee, bed was crisp, white and clean, very big and very comfy. USB ports at both bedside tables - perfect! Towels folded neatly, big, white & fluffy. I love coming to Smugglers. Their Carvery is delicious and well worth the money.

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.

Nice room, very disappointing breakfast

We had a lovely stay, rooms airy and large, fabulous shower, tea/coffee making facilities. Parked the car outside our window. Breakfast was a bit disappointing, my husband ordered a full English, but when it arrived half the breakfast advertised was missing, living in France this is something he misses. We enquired the next day but it was still the same. Delivery the day we left 😔 . Buffet was good. The staff were great and very friendly Definitely book with them again.

Great stay, couldn’t fault it for the price and the food in the restaurant was cooked to perfection. We will be back.

The staff are extremely helpful and friendly. The cooked vegetarian breakfast isnt amazing so stick to the continental breakfast. The other food in the pub is good. The rooms are clean, beds are good, quiet rooms. I would stay here again. It is only really a 2 days stay place.

This hotel suited our purpose with the location and price. The availability of dining in the nearby restaurant was great, dinner and breakfast was good quality and ample to set you up for the day ahead. All staff were great.

I arrived 1.45pm, check in was 2pm but I was told the room was ready and it was quite quiet. I went to get luggage from the car and then went to the room but it wasn't ready, the cleaner had literally just gone into the room. I asked at reception if another room was ready instead but they said this time that they were really busy and couldn't change room. Whilst it wasn't a huge problem that the room wasn't ready I do wonder if if would have been by 2pm check in. I went away and didn't come back until the evening so don't know. Also Room 201 is at the top of the stairs and every time someone came through the door at the top of the stairs it made a noise so I wouldn't recommend that room. Room overall was quite clean, and hotel overall was clean. Complimentary breakfast while the pub opposite is closed for refurbishment was a nice touch.

Reception was very welcoming and we had a good evening meal in the restaurant. Breakfast however was very slow both days. I decided to have poached eggs on toast the second day and they were very undercooked so I couldn't eat any of it. I would have complained but after waiting so long for it to arrive there really wasn't time to reorder. Our room was ok except the bathroom was a disabled wet room instead of a standard bathroom, which we didn't book. I would definitely go there again for an evening meal but I don't think I would stay there again.