Award-Winning
Seafront House
Award-winning. Seafront. Sleeping 18. With a private hot tub, yoga studio, secret cinema and dance floor — Zanzibar House is unlike anywhere else on the South Coast.
Zanzibar House is one of the finest large luxury holiday houses on the South Coast. A former award-winning boutique hotel, it has been beautifully transformed into a private house for groups — sitting directly on the seafront in St Leonards-on-Sea, just metres from the sea.
With eight immaculate ensuite bedrooms, generous social spaces, a seafront hot tub and an extraordinary basement studio — the only one of its kind on the Sussex coast — Zanzibar House offers something truly rare: the comfort and privacy of a luxury home with the facilities and feel of a boutique hotel.
Zanzibar House is designed for groups who want to feel properly at home together — with hotel-standard comfort and the warmth of a private house.
Sitting directly on the seafront in St Leonards-on-Sea, with uninterrupted sea views from the main living spaces and several bedrooms. Miles of flat promenade right on the doorstep.
Eight beautifully designed ensuite bedrooms, each maintained to hotel standard with luxury linen, REN toiletries, fluffy bathrobes, slippers and smart TVs throughout.
A private hot tub available exclusively to your group. Perfect for unwinding after a day exploring the coast — whatever the season.
A fully fitted kitchen with bi-fold doors, a covered outdoor BBQ terrace, an atmospheric dining room seating 18, and a cosy lounge with a bar and Sage coffee machine.
Fast, reliable Wi-Fi throughout all floors — making Zanzibar House equally well-suited for corporate retreats and team off-sites as it is for celebrations and holidays.
Zanzibar House welcomes up to two well-behaved dogs by prior agreement. Long beach walks, winter low tides and nearby parks make this a wonderful destination for dog-friendly group stays.
From milestone birthdays to yoga retreats, from corporate off-sites to family reunions — Zanzibar House has the space, the facilities and the setting for every occasion.
Gather your favourite people under one roof for a birthday that goes beyond the ordinary. Zanzibar House is made for celebrations — a private bar, dance floor, hot tub and a seafront setting that does the talking for you.
With a dedicated basement studio and a house that encourages slowing down, Zanzibar House is a natural fit for retreats. Morning sessions, sea air, long communal meals — the perfect reset.
A whole house to yourselves, a dance floor in the basement, bubbles on the terrace and bedrooms that feel like boutique hotel suites. Zanzibar House makes every hen party a story worth telling.
Big enough to sleep 18, characterful enough to feel like home. Whether it's a milestone birthday, a reunion or simply long-overdue time together, Zanzibar House brings families together in style.
Step outside the office and into somewhere genuinely inspiring. The studio works beautifully for workshops and brainstorms, while the communal spaces encourage the kind of connection that Zoom calls never quite manage.
Old friends. New memories. Zanzibar House gives you the space to spread out, stay up late, cook together, laugh loudly and remember why these people are your people.
Zanzibar House has an exclusive basement studio — available only to guests of the house. It is the feature that makes Zanzibar House truly extraordinary: a private, versatile space that transforms completely depending on how your group wants to use it.
Whether you're a retreat leader running morning yoga sessions, a hen party wanting a dance floor, or a group who wants to screen a film together — the studio is the heart of a Zanzibar House stay.
Every bedroom at Zanzibar House is maintained to a hotel standard — with luxury linen, REN toiletries, bathrobes, slippers and a smart TV. Guests feel the care in every detail.
All 8 bedrooms are ensuite and include luxury linen, REN toiletries, fluffy bathrobes, slippers and a smart TV. View full room details and availability →
On the South Coast between Hastings and Brighton — with direct beach access, independent restaurants and a vibrant arts scene all within walking distance.
Zanzibar House spreads across five generous floors — with social spaces at the heart and private ensuite bedrooms above and below. There is plenty of space for 18 guests to feel comfortable and to find their own rhythm.
St Leonards-on-Sea and Hastings have one of the most exciting independent food and drink scenes on the South Coast. Here are Max and Katie's personal recommendations — the places they send every guest.
Vibrant Sri Lankan fusion with authentic flavours, creative small plates and cocktails in a cosy St Leonards setting.
Visit website →Award-winning Italian on the seafront with fresh seafood, homemade pasta and uninterrupted sea views.
Visit website →Locally loved burger bar with gourmet burgers, loaded fries and craft beers — perfect for relaxed dining or takeaway.
Visit website →Stylish neighbourhood spot combining café culture, natural wines, cocktails and creative small plates.
Instagram →Beautifully restored pub known for excellent food, local beers, Sunday roasts and a warm, creative atmosphere.
Visit website →Award-winning gastropub in Hastings Old Town with seasonal menus, local produce and an outstanding drinks list.
Visit website →A long-standing favourite offering modern British dishes, fresh local seafood and an intimate dining experience.
Visit website →Buzzing indoor food hall with rotating street-food traders, craft beers, wines and community events.
Visit website →Fresh, vibrant Lebanese cooking in the heart of St Leonards — mezze, grills and warm hospitality.
Visit website →Authentic Nepalese and Indian cuisine with aromatic curries, tandoori grills and warm, friendly service.
Visit website →Classic Italian takeaway favourites — pizza, pasta and gelato — from this long-established St Leonards family business.
Order online →A neighbourhood favourite for seasonal small plates and an exceptional natural wine list — relaxed, delicious and completely unpretentious.
Visit website →Stylish, plant-filled coffee bar in Marine Court with speciality coffee, fresh brunch dishes and house-made bakes.
Instagram →Craft coffee, local roasters and street food vendors in a buzzing indoor community food hall.
Visit website →Colourful beachfront café right on the beach — great coffee, fresh seafood rolls and an unbeatable spot for people watching.
Visit website →Friendly neighbourhood café with excellent flat whites, homemade cakes and a welcoming, laid-back atmosphere.
Visit website →Fresh oysters, speciality coffee and unique outdoor dining from this much-loved St Leonards pop-up.
Instagram →Stylish, intimate bar specialising in craft beers, creative cocktails and a relaxed modern atmosphere.
Instagram →Elegant neighbourhood wine bar with natural wines, small plates, seasonal dishes and a refined atmosphere.
Visit website →Stunning seafront venue combining exceptional food, curated wines and rotating art exhibitions. Perfect for long lunches or evening drinks.
Visit website →Luxury candle brand blending neuroscience and natural aromas — crafting scent experiences designed to evoke memory and emotion.
Visit website →Independent sourdough bakery with artisan bread, pastries and speciality coffee in a friendly local setting.
Instagram →Award-winning butcher known for grass-fed British meat, free-range cuts and exceptional personal service.
Facebook →Once a grand Victorian resort, St Leonards-on-Sea and Hastings are now enjoying an exciting renaissance. Trendy cafés, independent restaurants, craft beer bars, galleries and boutique shops have transformed the area into one of the most creative and vibrant destinations on the South Coast.
Walk the seafront westward to Bexhill and the stunning Art Deco De La Warr Pavilion, or head east into the atmospheric Hastings Old Town — a maze of cobbled streets, timbered buildings and independent shops once described by Tatler as "the new Notting Hill". On Tuesday evenings, don't miss the legendary folk and sea-shanty session at The Stag Inn.
Beyond the town, Hastings Country Park offers 270 hectares of dramatic sandstone cliffs, ancient woodland and wildlife trails — some of the most striking coastline in all of England. Ride the world's oldest funicular railway to the clifftops for views that stay with you.
"Every effort is made to ensure guests arrive to a house that feels calm, welcoming and ready to enjoy."
Zanzibar House is run by Max and Katie O'Rourke — a couple with a long-standing love of hospitality, thoughtful interiors and creating places where people feel genuinely well looked after.
Before moving into luxury holiday houses, Max spent several years running an award-winning boutique hotel, where great design, attention to detail and warm, personal hosting was at the heart of everything he did. That experience continues to shape how Zanzibar House is run today.
For the past six years, we have both focused on operating high-end coastal holiday houses, welcoming guests for celebrations, family gatherings, retreats and relaxed weekends by the sea. We understand what makes a stay feel easy and special — and what turns a beautiful house into somewhere guests want to return to.
There is a deep passion for interiors and atmosphere, from how spaces flow to the comfort of the beds, the quality of the linens and the small details that quietly elevate your stay. Every effort is made to ensure guests arrive to a house that feels calm, welcoming and ready to enjoy.
While guests' privacy is always respected, we are also hands-on and nearby. We are available throughout each stay if needed — whether for local recommendations, practical support or simply reassurance that everything is taken care of.
Zanzibar House sleeps up to 18 guests across 8 beautifully designed ensuite bedrooms, making it one of the largest luxury seafront holiday houses on the South Coast.
The basement studio is an exclusive, private space available only to guests of Zanzibar House. It can be configured as a yoga and wellness studio, a secret cinema, a dance floor or a private events space — making it completely unique on the South Coast. Your group has it entirely to yourselves.
Zanzibar House is one of the finest retreat venues on the South Coast. It sleeps 18, sits directly on the seafront and has a private basement yoga studio exclusively for guests. The seafront location is ideal for sunrise and sunset meditation, beach yoga, cold-water swimming and long coastal walks. Many retreat leaders book regularly and return year after year.
Zanzibar House is approximately 80–90 minutes from central London by direct train from London Bridge or Charing Cross to St Leonards Warrior Square or Hastings. By car it is around 65–70 miles from London, typically around 90 minutes depending on traffic.
Yes. Zanzibar House has a private hot tub available exclusively to your group throughout your stay — there is no additional charge for use of the hot tub.
Yes. Zanzibar House welcomes up to two well-behaved dogs by prior agreement. A small cleaning fee of £50 applies. Dogs are permitted on the ground floor and selected bedrooms. The seafront location with miles of beach walks makes Zanzibar House a wonderful choice for dog-friendly group stays.
Yes. Zanzibar House is a popular choice for corporate off-sites and team retreats. It has high-speed Wi-Fi throughout, a HD projector and screen, multiple breakout spaces, ensuite rooms for every team member and an inspiring coastal setting just 80 minutes from London. Teams find the combination of focused working space and coastal downtime highly effective.
Yes. There are 2 private parking spaces in a secure nearby car park. Additional free on-street parking is available at Warrior Square and on surrounding roads — usually plentiful outside peak summer periods.
Zanzibar House is part of Big House Specialist — three large luxury holiday houses on the South Coast, sleeping 14, 18 and 20 guests. For very large groups, all three houses can be booked together to accommodate up to 52 guests.
Or visit bighousespecialist.co.uk to see all three houses together.
Zanzibar House books out quickly for peak dates. Check availability now to secure your stay, or call us to discuss your group and dates.
+44 (0) 7973 858711
