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

4.0 star property

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

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

Reviews

8.8 out of 10
Excellent

Popular amenities

  • Bar
  • Housekeeping

Explore the area

View map
Brook Park, Valley Road, Clacton-on-Sea, England, CO15 3TP
  • Place, Clacton Pier
    ‪4 min drive‬
  • Place, West Cliff Theatre
    ‪4 min drive‬
  • Place, Clacton-on-Sea Beach
    ‪4 min drive‬
  • Airport, London (SEN-Southend)

Room options

View all photos for Double or Twin Room

Double or Twin Room

Double or Twin Room

9.0 out of 10
Wonderful
(22 reviews)
  • 20 sq m
  • Sleeps 2
  • 2 Twin Beds

View all photos for Double Room

Double Room

Double Room

9.2 out of 10
Wonderful
(55 reviews)
  • 20 sq m
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 Double 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)
  • 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)
  • 20 sq m
  • Sleeps 4
  • 1 Double Bed and 1 Double Sofa Bed

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About the area

Clacton-on-Sea

With a stay at The Aviator, formerly Smugglers Cove, Clacton On Sea by Marston's Inns in Clacton-on-Sea, you'll be within a 5-minute drive of Princes Theatre and West Cliff Theatre. .This inn is 2.1 mi (3.4 km) from Clacton Pier and 2.1 mi (3.4 km) from The Wheel Experience.
View more Inns in Clacton-on-SeaOpens in a new window

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

Inn in Clacton-on-Sea with a restaurant and a bar
The Aviator, formerly Smugglers Cove, Clacton On Sea by Marston's Inns offers 38 air-conditioned accommodations with coffee/tea makers and hair dryers. Flat-screen televisions come with digital channels.

Bathrooms include showers and complimentary toiletries. Guests can surf the web using the complimentary wireless Internet access. Housekeeping is offered daily and irons/ironing boards can be requested.

Make yourself at home in one of the 38 air-conditioned rooms featuring flat-screen televisions. Complimentary wireless internet access keeps you connected, and digital programming is available for your entertainment. Private bathrooms with showers feature complimentary toiletries and hair dryers. Conveniences include desks and coffee/tea makers, and housekeeping is provided daily.
Take in the views from a garden and make use of amenities such as complimentary wireless internet access.
At The Aviator, formerly Smugglers Cove, Clacton On Sea by Marston's Inns, enjoy a satisfying meal at the restaurant. Wrap up your day with a drink at the bar/lounge. Full breakfasts are available daily from 7:00 AM to 10:00 AM for a fee.
Free self parking is available onsite.
Full breakfasts are available for a surcharge and are served each morning between 7:00 AM and 10:00 AM.
The Aviator, formerly Smugglers Cove, Clacton On Sea by Marston's Inns has a restaurant on site.

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 available
Late check-in subject to availability
Minimum check-in age: 18

Check-out

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

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

Important information

Optional extras

  • Fee for full breakfast: 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 elevators
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

Reviews

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

8.8

Excellent

9.0/10

Cleanliness

9.0/10

Staff & service

8.6/10

Amenities

8.8/10

Property conditions & facilities

8.6/10

Eco-friendliness
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

10/10 Excellent

Scott

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 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

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

Barbara

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

Anniversary Trip

Great visit been many time use this hotel regularly
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2025

8/10 Good

Anna

Travelled with family
Liked: Amenities
All good
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2025

10/10 Excellent

Simon

Business traveller
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 1 night in Jul 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

8/10 Good

Allan

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

2/10 Terrible

Christopher

Stayed 1 night in Jul 2025

6/10 Okay

David

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

Nice Inn. Poor pub.

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.
Stayed 4 nights in Jun 2025

10/10 Excellent

Jane

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

steve

Warm welcome cool room

Friendly check inn, our room was already cool with the aircon running
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2025

10/10 Excellent

Tina

Travelled with partner
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

8/10 Good

Glynn

Business traveller
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2025

10/10 Excellent

STEVEN

Travelled with partner
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

Tony

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2025

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

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

Family

That the room was clean, tidy and as we were there during very hot weather, it had air-conditioning. Brilliant. Breakfast was also superb. Will definitely be staying there again when we visit our family.
Stayed 1 night in Jun 2025

10/10 Excellent

Michael

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 1 night in Jun 2025

6/10 Okay

MICHAEL

Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2025

8/10 Good

Gordon

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

10/10 Excellent

Leigh

Travelled with partner
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

Stephen

Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2025

10/10 Excellent

Alex

Travelled with partner
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

6/10 Okay

Craig

Travelled with partner
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