The Aviator, Clacton-on-Sea | Rated 8.4 from $70

Name: The Aviator, Formerly Smugglers Cove, Clacton On Sea By Marston'S Inns, Clacton-on-Sea
Address: Hartley Brook Road Clacton On Sea, Clacton-on-Sea, Essex, CO15 3TP
Price range: US$70+
Rating: 8.4

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The Aviator, Formerly Smugglers Cove, Clacton On Sea By Marston'S Inns Room photo

The Aviator, Formerly Smugglers Cove, Clacton On Sea By Marston'S Inns Exterior photo

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Key details

About the Hotel

Hartley Brook Road Clacton On Sea, Clacton-on-Sea, CO15 3TP

Close to the seaside

Great

8.4

/10

4.2

Loved by The Aviator, Formerly Smugglers Cove, Clacton On Sea By Marston'S Inns guests

Comfortable beds

Easy check-in

Helpful staff

Very clean

Great parking

The Aviator, Formerly Smugglers Cove, Clacton On Sea By Marston'S Inns - A seaside hotel with garden, bar, and free Wi-Fi

Located 3 km from Clacton-on-Sea, The Aviator, Formerly Smugglers Cove, Clacton On Sea By Marston'S Inns offers 38 air-conditioned rooms with Freeview TV, free Wi-Fi, tea and coffee facilities, and private bathrooms with complimentary toiletries. Rooms include king-size Hypnos beds and come in double, twin, and family configurations (accommodating 2 adults and 2 children). A full English or continental breakfast is available daily from 7:00 AM at the on-site restaurant, while the bar serves drinks. The hotel features a garden and provides free parking. Nearby attractions include Essex Wildlife Trust Great Holland Pits (4 km), Clacton Pier (3 km), and Happy Valley Pitch & Putt (2 km). The Aviator is also 80 km from London Stansted Airport.

Pros

Hypnos beds with temperature-regulating wool-silk mix mattresses.

Free parking and Wi-Fi throughout the property.

Family rooms available, some with sofa beds for children.

Close to Essex Wildlife Trust Great Holland Pits for nature walks.

On-site restaurant serving full English breakfast.

Cons

No pets or service animals allowed.

Some family rooms use sofa beds instead of standard beds for children.

Select your room type

The Aviator, Formerly Smugglers Cove, Clacton On Sea By Marston'S Inns offers a variety of rooms including double rooms, family rooms, and suites with breakfast, free cancelations, and special deals

Double or Twin Room
2 persons
22 sq. feet
2 Single beds
Bathtub
Shower
room details
Twin Room Disability Access
2 persons
22 sq. feet
2 Single beds
Shower
room details
Double Room
2 persons
22 sq. feet
1 King-size bed
Bathtub
Shower
room details

Show all rooms

Room Rates & Availability Calendar

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August 2026 - August 2027

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Check-in/ Check-out

Facilities

The Aviator, Formerly Smugglers Cove, Clacton On Sea By Marston'S Inns offers amenities for your comfortable stay and unforgettable experiences

Facilities: Great

8.4/10Review score

General

No smoking on site
Wi-Fi
Parking
VIP check-in/ -out
No pets allowed
Rooms/ Facilities for disabled
Wheelchair access
Security
Smoke detectors
Electric vehicle charging station
Fire extinguishers
Key card access

Guest Parking

Electric kettle

Services

Housekeeping

Dining

Restaurant
Bar/ Lounge area

Children

Children's menu

Facilities for people with disabilities

Toilet for disabled
Bathroom for disabled

Spa & Leisure

Garden area

Room features

Air conditioning
Garden furniture
Tea and coffee facilities

Bathroom

Free toiletries
Sink

Self-catering

Electric kettle

Media

Flat-screen TV

Room decor

Carpeted floor

The Aviator, Formerly Smugglers Cove, Clacton On Sea By Marston'S Inns Location

Hartley Brook Road Clacton On Sea, Clacton-on-Sea, CO15 3TP

Explore Clacton-on-Sea

Local Highlights Near The Aviator

Church Of St John The Baptist

10 minutes' walk

Gothic-style architecture and beautiful stained glass windows. A serene spot for reflection and history buffs.

Saint Osyth Priory

15 minutes' walk

Historical site with beautiful gardens and ruins. Offers a glimpse into local history and hosts occasional events.

Clacton Pier

30 minutes' walk

Seaside amusement and entertainment. Known for its rides, games, and stunning ocean views-perfect for family fun.

Martello Children's Zoo

30 minutes' drive

Family-friendly zoo with interactive animal experiences and outdoor play areas. Great for kids and animal lovers.

Water Sports at Clacton Beach

10 minutes' drive

Variety of thrilling water sports including jet skiing and paddleboarding. Rentals and lessons available for all skill levels.

The Pavilion

30 minutes' walk

Casual dining with a seaside view. Specializes in fish and chips and homemade desserts. Fun atmosphere for families.

Great Chicken

19 minutes' walk

Fast food spot known for its grilled chicken and friendly service. Casual vibe with quick meals for diners on the go.

Century Cinema

25 minutes' walk

Modern cinema showcasing the latest films. Enjoy a relaxed environment perfect for families and movie enthusiasts.

Princes Theatre

25 minutes' walk

Local venue for live performances. Hosts musicals and comedy acts, providing varied entertainment for all ages.

Getting around

City Centre
Clacton-on-Sea 29 min · 1.5 mi
Airports
London Stansted (STN) 116 min · 47.7 mi
London Southend (SEN) 134 min · 55.4 mi
Train
Clacton-on-Sea Railway Station 24 min · 1.2 mi
Bus
Bus stop 6 min · 1700 ft

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Property information and rules

Check-in

from 14:00-23:00

Check-out

until 11 am

Guest Parking

Private parking is possible on site for free.

Internet

Wireless internet is available in the entire hotel for free.

Breakfast

You can start your day with a full breakfast, which costs GBP8.75 per person per day.

Children & extra beds

There are no cots provided in a room.

Pets

Pets are not allowed.

Number of rooms:

Reviews and Ratings

Feedback about The Aviator, Formerly Smugglers Cove, Clacton On Sea By Marston'S Inns from previous guests about their experience.

Review summary

Based on recent reviews

Guests often highlight the fresh, spacious, and modern rooms, some noting the convenience of USB ports by each bedside table and good-sized smart televisions. The presence of air-conditioning is appreciated, especially during warmer periods. While the hotel is situated on a retail park with limited nearby attractions, it's considered a good overnight stop, with the Aviator offering meals and drinks; however, some guests have observed that it can get noisy at times. Free parking is available for guests.

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Review score

Based on 803 verified reviews

8.4 /10

Great

88 %

Recommend

Staff

8.9/10

Comfort

8.8/10

Paid Wi-Fi

7.2/10

Free WiFi

7.5/10

Pros

Comfortable room

Easy parking

Good breakfast

Quiet location

Cons

Cigarette smell

Uneven bed

Charles from United Kingdom

Family with children

Family Room

3 nights in November 2025

Reviewed: January 17, 2026

8.7/10

solid stay, great amenities

clean room helpful staff ample parking

The room was indeed clean and well-kept. the staff were friendly and helpful. I felt welcomed. parking was ample, which removed any stress related to vehicle security. breakfast was amazing!!!

the hangers were a bit high, possibly causing difficulty with limited mobility.

Rooms

9/10

the room had a comfortable desk suitable for working. tea and coffee facilities were good and readily available. the mirror and hairdryer setup were well-designed and very practical.

Location

8/10

the location offered convenient access to nearby shops. it was nice to be able to walk to fields in just five minutes. it was a quiet location.

Facilities

9/10

clean and tidy corridors and rooms provided a cute environment. the parking area was spacious and easily accessible. the shower was AMAZING!!! offering a powerful and refreshing experience.

0 Helpful

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Luna from Spain

Family with children

Family Room

3 nights in November 2025

Reviewed: December 21, 2025

8/10

usb ports powerful shower large bath sheet

The room included two USB ports beside each bedside table. Plugs were available too. Showers provided powerful water streams. bath sheets felt nice and large.

I noticed the placement of hangers. They were too high for people with mobility limitations.

0 Helpful

Luna from Spain

Family with children

Double Room

3 nights in November 2025

Reviewed: December 08, 2025

6/10

convenient acceptable location noisy rattling air conditioning

the location was convenient for visiting family nearby so that was acceptable

my room's air conditioning was SO noisy it rattled all night keeping me awake the entire time it really was a cacophony

0 Helpful

Hudson from Canada

Family with children

Double Room

2 nights in August 2025

Reviewed: November 05, 2025

8.7/10

Solid Stay Near Family

double plug convenient option comfortable bed

The bedroom had better features than expected. I found many double plug sockets. Charger lead sockets provided convenient options for lights. I appreciated the quiet room and comfortable bed.

The receptionist sounded too casual while on the phone. This happened during my check-in process. I had to ask about amenities and breakfast details.

Service

9/10

The staff was very helpful. Online check-in and check-out were easy features. Staff members were friendly when assisting with needs.

Rooms

8/10

The room included super clean bedding. The bathroom stocked lovely clean towels. There were options for hot drinks with a kettle. Furnishings complemented the room well.

Dining

9/10

The pub offered a varied food menu. It included options for both dinner and breakfast. Breakfast offered fresh cooked items and continental options were available. Cereals was another option.

0 Helpful

Charlotte from United Kingdom

Family with children

family room

3 nights in August 2025

Reviewed: October 30, 2025

8.5/10

fantastic stay!

accessible room friendly staff spotlessly clean amazing shower

The room i booked was excellent and accessible. It was super comfy, too! the staff was very friendly and helpful, i loved them. everything was spotlessly clean. I have no complaints. i loved the shower pressure. It was amazing!?!

Service

9/10

the staff provided quick assistance with requests! they were generally available and responsive. i really liked it.

Location

8/10

the hotel is a convenient distance from points of interest! it provided ease of access to attractions and amenities in the surrounding area. this was amazing.

Facilities

9/10

the room included essential amenities such as fresh towels and toiletries? i appreciated the inclusion of tea and coffee making facilities in the room!?

Dining

8/10

The hotel is near to a pub across the car park. It serves food and local ale! the breakfast service starts relatively early, at 7:00 am, i was happy.

0 Helpful

Aaron from United States

Family with children

Double Room

4 nights in August 2025

Reviewed: October 03, 2025

6/10

dirty towels toilet paper

My room was not cleaned nor were the towels replaced during my four night stay (despite me asking). I ended up with many dirty towels and almost ran out of toilet paper.

0 Helpful

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FAQs

About The Aviator, Formerly Smugglers Cove, Clacton On Sea By Marston'S Inns

What is the distance from the 3-star The Aviator, Formerly Smugglers Cove, Clacton On Sea By Marston'S Inns to Clacton-on-Sea city centre?

Clacton-on-Sea city centre is reachable within a 25-minute walk from the 3-star The Aviator, Formerly Smugglers Cove, Clacton On Sea By Marston'S Inns.

What is the nearest airport to the The Aviator, Formerly Smugglers Cove, Clacton On Sea By Marston'S Inns?

London Stansted airport lies within 80 km of the The Aviator, Formerly Smugglers Cove, Clacton On Sea By Marston'S Inns and is reachable with a 59-minute drive.

Is there free parking in the 3-star The Aviator, Formerly Smugglers Cove, Clacton On Sea By Marston'S Inns?

Yes, the 3-star The Aviator, Formerly Smugglers Cove, Clacton On Sea By Marston'S Inns offers guests to park their cars at parking spaces for free.

At what time can I check-in at the Clacton-on-Sea hotel?

At the Clacton-on-Sea hotel, you can check in from 14:00 till 23:00.

At what time can I check-out at the 3-star The Aviator, Formerly Smugglers Cove, Clacton On Sea By Marston'S Inns?

You can check out of the 3-star The Aviator, Formerly Smugglers Cove, Clacton On Sea By Marston'S Inns from 11:00 till 11:00.

How much does a room at the hotel cost?

The prices at the hotel start from £74.

What payment methods are available in the 3-star The Aviator, Formerly Smugglers Cove, Clacton On Sea By Marston'S Inns?

At the 3-star The Aviator, Formerly Smugglers Cove, Clacton On Sea By Marston'S Inns, you can pay using American Express, Visa, and Maestro.

What room types does the The Aviator, Formerly Smugglers Cove, Clacton On Sea By Marston'S Inns comprise?

The The Aviator, Formerly Smugglers Cove, Clacton On Sea By Marston'S Inns provides such room types as Family Room, Double Room, and Guest Room.

Does the 3-star The Aviator, Formerly Smugglers Cove, Clacton On Sea By Marston'S Inns offer special amenities for people with disabilities?

Yes, the 3-star The Aviator, Formerly Smugglers Cove, Clacton On Sea By Marston'S Inns provides rooms with accessible facilities, accessible bathrooms, and wheelchair access to improve the experience for the guests with special needs.