Award-Winning
Seafront House

★★★★★

St Leonards-on-Sea, East Sussex

Zanzibar House

An award-winning beachfront house in St Leonards-on-Sea, with space for 16 adults & 2 children across eight ensuite bedrooms.

Check Availability
16+2Guests
8Ensuite Rooms
1Hot Tub
80Mins from London
✅ Now Open: Yoga Studio  /  Secret Cinema  /  Dance Floor Ready and available for guests
About the House

Award-Winning Beachfront house in St Leonards-on-Sea.

Zanzibar House is an award-winning beachfront house in St Leonards-on-Sea. Large communal areas and eight large, well-designed bedrooms (all en-suite) provide plenty of space for up to 16 adults & 2 children.

This former award-winning boutique hotel has been meticulously reimagined as one of the UK's best large holiday homes. Combine the sea views with the large, well-designed communal spaces and you have the backdrop for unforgettable get-togethers, milestone birthdays, noteworthy anniversary celebrations and relaxed coastal retreats.

With generous proportions throughout, there is plenty of space to gather, celebrate, dance, eat, chat, stretch, unwind, sleep and relax. You can give yourself time to breathe and take it all in.

🌊Seafront
🛏️8 Ensuites
♨️Hot Tub
🧘Yoga Studio
🎬Secret Cinema
🐕Dogs Welcome
Zanzibar House lounge with bar, chandelier and sea view
Zanzibar House hot tub glowing blue at night
The Spaces
What We Offer

Everything your group needs

The ground floor is the heart of the house — with grand reception rooms that set the stage for memorable evenings.

🌊

Seafront Setting

Exit the house in either direction and you have miles of wide, flat promenade along the top of the beach — ideal for walking, running, scooting or cycling.

🛏️

8 Ensuite Bedrooms

Eight individually designed en-suite bedrooms, well-maintained and spotlessly clean, with high-quality bed linen and thoughtful touches throughout. Netflix is available in every bedroom for quiet downtime.

♨️

Terraced Garden & Hot Tub

Bi-fold doors at the end of the kitchen open out onto the terraced garden, with outdoor dining, a gas BBQ and a private hot tub.

🍽️

Kitchen, Dining & Lounge

A large, well-equipped open-plan kitchen with two double ovens, a large induction hob, a Sage Barista bean-to-cup coffee machine, good-quality crockery and cookware, and ample fridge and freezer space. The dining tables seat up to 18, and the adjoining lounge has plenty of comfortable seating, a bar area and a large-screen Smart TV.

📶

Secret Cinema & Games

The Secret Cinema gets people together and off their devices, and a cupboard full of puzzles and board games is the perfect distraction on a rainy day. Fast, reliable Wi-Fi covers every room.

🐕

Dog Friendly

Well-behaved dogs are welcome by prior agreement, with a small additional cleaning fee. We politely ask that they stay on the ground floor and in just one of the bedrooms.

Who Stays Here

Made for milestones

The layout works well for both multi-generational families and large groups of friends.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Family

Family Gatherings & Holidays

Everyone together, finally

Space for the whole family to spread out — with room to cook, eat and spend time together, and quiet corners when you need them.

🎂 Celebrations

Big Birthdays & Anniversaries

Mark the moment

Sea views and large, well-designed communal spaces make the backdrop for birthdays and anniversaries worth remembering.

🧘 Wellness

Wellness Retreats & Creative Workshops

Restore, reconnect, breathe

A private basement studio, sea air and long communal meals — a natural fit for retreats and creative workshops.

👑 Hen Weekends

Respectful Hen-dos

Relaxed, together, entirely yours

A whole house to yourselves, bedrooms that feel like boutique hotel suites, and a hot tub on the terrace.

🥂 Intimate

Intimate Celebrations

Small gatherings, done well

For the occasions that matter most — a private house where your closest people can celebrate in comfort.

💼 Corporate

Business Off-sites

Work better together

Fast, reliable Wi-Fi in every room, a studio for workshops and communal spaces that encourage real connection.

Please note: due to the limitations of our insurance policy we do not accommodate stag parties or loud events. No alcohol or ticket sales are permitted and no amplified music is allowed (other than via the sound system provided).

The Basement Studio

There is nowhere else like this on the Sussex coast.

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.

  • Yoga & wellness studio
  • Secret cinema
  • Dance floor
  • Private events space
  • Creative workshop space
  • Exclusively yours
✅ Now Open The basement yoga studio / secret cinema / dance floor is now complete and ready for guests. We can't wait to welcome you to this extraordinary space.
Zanzibar House basement studio set up for yoga
The Bedrooms

Eight ensuite rooms designed for proper comfort

The eight individually designed en-suite bedrooms are super-versatile in their bed arrangement — three rooms can be made up as twins (two single beds) or super-king doubles, and the top floor can easily accommodate two extra small single sofa beds. Netflix is available in all the bedrooms for quiet downtime.

Bali — king bed with Moroccan pendant lights and open ensuite
Bali
King · Ensuite
South America Room — king bed with sea view and freestanding bath
South America
King · Freestanding Bath · Sea View
Morocco Room — Moroccan sitting room with spiral staircase to mezzanine king bed
Morocco
King · Mezzanine · Ensuite Shower
Antarctica Room — king bed with fireplace, art deco lighting and ensuite
Antarctica
King or Twin · Bath & Shower · Sea View
Japan Room — king bed with tartan carpet and teak ensuite
Japan
King · Bath · Smart TV
Africa Room — king bed with zebra rug, arched sea view window and African art
Africa
King or Twin · Sea View · Ensuite
India — king bed with red velvet chesterfield, carved mirror and warm lighting
India
King or Twin · Ensuite · Smart TV
Manhattan — top floor penthouse suite with skylights, king bed and open-plan bathroom
Manhattan
King · Penthouse · Open-Plan Bath · Sea View

All 8 bedrooms are ensuite and include luxury linen, REN toiletries, fluffy bathrobes, slippers and a smart TV. View full room details and availability →

Getting Here

St Leonards-on-Sea, East Sussex

The pubs, restaurants, cafés, bakeries, takeaways, convenience stores and antique shops of St Leonards are all within easy reach.

🚂
80–90 minutes from London
Direct trains from London Bridge and Charing Cross to St Leonards Warrior Square or Hastings.
🌊
Right on the beachfront
Miles of wide, flat promenade along the top of the beach in either direction — ideal for walking, running, scooting or cycling.
🍽️
Theatre & pier
The White Rock Theatre and Hastings Pier are less than 5 minutes' walk away to the east.
🅿️
Parking available
Two private spaces in a secure underground car park nearby. Additional free, unrestricted on-street parking around Warrior Square (100m from the house) and on the hills behind the house (e.g. Church Road).
🏛️
Culture & heritage nearby
Hastings Old Town and its funicular railways (20-min walk), Hastings Country Park, and the De La Warr Pavilion in Bexhill — one stop on the train from Warrior Square.
Guest Reviews

What our guests say

The Layout

Eight bedrooms across six floors

Zanzibar House spreads across six generous floors — with social spaces at the heart and private ensuite bedrooms above and below. There is plenty of space for 18 guests (16 adults + 2 children) to feel comfortable and to find their own rhythm.

Zanzibar House floor plan — all six floors including the basement studio
Basement — Now Open

The Studio Level

  • Exclusive yoga & wellness studio
  • Secret cinema & dance floor
  • Private events space — exclusively for guests
Ground Floor

The Heart of the House

  • Open-plan kitchen — 2 double ovens, induction hob, Sage Barista coffee machine
  • Bi-fold doors to the terraced garden with outdoor dining & gas BBQ
  • Private hot tub
  • Dining tables seat up to 18
  • Lounge with bar area & large-screen Smart TV
First Floor

Bali, Morocco & South America

  • Morocco — king bed on mezzanine level, ensuite
  • South America — king bed, ensuite
  • Bali — king bed, ensuite
Second Floor

Japan & Antarctica

  • Japan — king bed, ensuite
  • Antarctica — king or twin beds, ensuite
Third Floor

India & Africa

  • India — king or twin beds, ensuite
  • Africa — king or twin beds, ensuite
Fourth Floor

Manhattan — The Top Floor Suite

  • Manhattan — king bed, ensuite
  • Panoramic sea views from the very top
  • Room for 2 extra small single sofa beds
The Local Area

Our favourite places in Hastings & St Leonards

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.

Sri Lankan Fusion · St Leonards
Colombo 16

Vibrant Sri Lankan fusion with authentic flavours, creative small plates and cocktails in a cosy St Leonards setting.

Visit website →
Italian · Seafront
La Bella Vista

Award-winning Italian on the seafront with fresh seafood, homemade pasta and uninterrupted sea views.

Visit website →
Burgers · Hastings
Half Man Half Burger

Locally loved burger bar with gourmet burgers, loaded fries and craft beers — perfect for relaxed dining or takeaway.

Visit website →
Small Plates · Natural Wine · St Leonards
Three Faces

Stylish neighbourhood spot combining café culture, natural wines, cocktails and creative small plates.

Instagram →
Gastropub · St Leonards
The Royal

Beautifully restored pub known for excellent food, local beers, Sunday roasts and a warm, creative atmosphere.

Visit website →
Gastropub · Hastings Old Town
The Crown

Award-winning gastropub in Hastings Old Town with seasonal menus, local produce and an outstanding drinks list.

Visit website →
Modern British · Seafood
St Clement's

A long-standing favourite offering modern British dishes, fresh local seafood and an intimate dining experience.

Visit website →
Street Food Market · St Leonards
Heist Market

Buzzing indoor food hall with rotating street-food traders, craft beers, wines and community events.

Visit website →
Lebanese · St Leonards
Liban Coast

Fresh, vibrant Lebanese cooking in the heart of St Leonards — mezze, grills and warm hospitality.

Visit website →
Nepalese & Indian · St Leonards
Gurkha Chef

Authentic Nepalese and Indian cuisine with aromatic curries, tandoori grills and warm, friendly service.

Visit website →
Italian Takeaway · St Leonards
Fortes Italian

Classic Italian takeaway favourites — pizza, pasta and gelato — from this long-established St Leonards family business.

Order online →
Restaurant & Natural Wine Bar · St Leonards
Farmyard

A neighbourhood favourite for seasonal small plates and an exceptional natural wine list — relaxed, delicious and completely unpretentious.

Visit website →
Coffee Bar & Eatery · Marine Court
Botanica

Stylish, plant-filled coffee bar in Marine Court with speciality coffee, fresh brunch dishes and house-made bakes.

Instagram →
Food Hall & Coffee · St Leonards
Heist Market

Craft coffee, local roasters and street food vendors in a buzzing indoor community food hall.

Visit website →
Beachfront Café
Goat Ledge

Colourful beachfront café right on the beach — great coffee, fresh seafood rolls and an unbeatable spot for people watching.

Visit website →
Neighbourhood Coffee Shop
Starsky & Hatch

Friendly neighbourhood café with excellent flat whites, homemade cakes and a welcoming, laid-back atmosphere.

Visit website →
Pop-Up · Seafood & Coffee
Oyster Boy Events

Fresh oysters, speciality coffee and unique outdoor dining from this much-loved St Leonards pop-up.

Instagram →
Craft Beer & Cocktails · St Leonards
Ritual Bar

Stylish, intimate bar specialising in craft beers, creative cocktails and a relaxed modern atmosphere.

Instagram →
Natural Wine Bar · St Leonards
40 Norman Road

Elegant neighbourhood wine bar with natural wines, small plates, seasonal dishes and a refined atmosphere.

Visit website →
Food, Wine & Gallery · Seafront
Graze on Grand

Stunning seafront venue combining exceptional food, curated wines and rotating art exhibitions. Perfect for long lunches or evening drinks.

Visit website →
Luxury Candles & Fragrance
An Exchange of Scent & Memory

Luxury candle brand blending neuroscience and natural aromas — crafting scent experiences designed to evoke memory and emotion.

Visit website →
Artisan Bakery · 35 Robertson Street
Maker & Baker UK

Independent sourdough bakery with artisan bread, pastries and speciality coffee in a friendly local setting.

Instagram →
Butcher · Hastings
Beak & Tail Butchers

Award-winning butcher known for grass-fed British meat, free-range cuts and exceptional personal service.

Facebook →

Discover Hastings & St Leonards

Exit the house in either direction and you have miles of wide, flat promenade along the top of the beach; ideal for walking, running, scooting or cycling. The pubs, restaurants, cafés, bakeries, takeaways, convenience stores and antique shops of St Leonards are all within easy reach.

The cobbled streets and funicular railways of the historic old part of town are a 20-minute walk away. These give way to the protected Hastings Country Park – essentially an extension of the nearby South Downs – offering cliff-top walks and stunning views all the way to the quaint medieval village of Rye, some 12 miles away.

The Blue Reef Aquarium, the Hastings Contemporary art gallery, the Fishermen's Museum and the characterful tall black net huts are all situated in the old part of Hastings, not to mention amusement arcades, fish 'n' chips, live music, crazy golf and the boating lake.

The White Rock Theatre and Hastings Pier are less than 5 minutes' walk away to the east. Alternatively, head west from the house and the Art Deco De La Warr Pavilion in Bexhill is reachable within a couple of hours (walking) or one stop on the train from St Leonards Warrior Square.

Blue and white striped beach huts on the pebble beach at St Leonards-on-Sea, with Hastings Pier in the background
About Us

The people behind Zanzibar House

Max and Katie O'Rourke, owners of Zanzibar House
"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.

Max & Katie O'Rourke
Owners · Zanzibar House
Common Questions

Everything you need to know

Zanzibar House sleeps up to 18 guests (16 adults + 2 children) 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. The studio is now open and ready for guests.

Zanzibar House is one of the finest retreat venues on the South Coast. It sleeps 16 adults + 2 children, sits directly on the seafront and now 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. We politely ask that dogs stay on the ground floor and in just one of the 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.

Due to the limitations of our insurance policy we do not accommodate stag parties or loud events. No alcohol or ticket sales are permitted and no amplified music is allowed (other than via the sound system provided).

Yes. Two private parking spaces are provided in a secure underground car park nearby. There is additional free, unrestricted on-street parking around Warrior Square (100m from the house) and on the hills behind the house (e.g. Church Road).

Our Portfolio

Three extraordinary houses, one coastline

Zanzibar House is part of O'Rourke Escapes — three large luxury holiday houses on the South Coast, sleeping 12 + 4, 14 + 2 and 16 + 2 guests. For very large groups, all three houses can be booked together to accommodate up to 50 guests.

Or visit orourkeescapes.co.uk to see all three houses together.

Ready to Book

Check availability and start planning

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