A Hidden Coastal Retreat in Dorset: Why the Alexandra Is Lyme Bay’s Best-Kept Secret

When you picture a luxury hotel in Dorset, you might imagine shiny lobbies and grand entrances. But the most meaningful kind of luxury is often something quieter, something more personal, more heartfelt, and more connected to the coast itself.

Nestled on the hillside overlooking Lyme Bay, the Alexandra Hotel & Restaurant is exactly that. A calm coastal retreat, set within beautiful gardens and just moments from the heart of Lyme Regis. It’s one of Dorset’s best-kept secrets, cherished by those who discover it and revisited year after year for its warmth, its tranquillity, its views and its unmistakable sense of seaside serenity.

What Makes the Alexandra Such a Unique Coastal Retreat?

A Georgian Dower House Steeped in Charm

Built in 1735, this former Georgian Dower House blends all the grace of its heritage with a fresh, relaxed coastal style. Blue Lias stone, whitewashed exteriors and elegant period details give the hotel its timeless character, while soft, natural interiors bring an inviting, contemporary feel.

Inside, you’ll find cosy sitting rooms with comfortable sofas, snug corners perfect for winter fires, historic prints, deep-blue velvets, stripped boards and rugs, all creating a feeling that is more beautiful seaside home than hotel.

A Setting That Feels Both Tucked Away and Steps From Everything

The Alexandra enjoys one of Dorset’s most enviable positions: perched quietly above the beach yet only a two-minute walk from the centre of Lyme Regis.

It feels blissfully peaceful, but from your door you can wander straight to:

• the Cobb Harbour

• Monmouth Beach

• Church Cliff

• independent shops and tearooms

• the seafront promenade

• the South West Coast Path

This rare blend of convenience and seclusion gives the Alexandra its unmistakable “oasis” quality.

Hospitality That Feels Heartfelt and Personal

At the Alexandra, luxury isn’t defined by formality; it’s defined by people. Guests often say the hotel “feels like home,” and it’s the team who bring that warmth to life. Attentive, friendly, thoughtful and genuinely invested in what they do, they’re the heart and soul of the Alexandra.

Here, service is never showy or overdone. It’s simply natural, personal and quietly exceptional, the kind that lets you switch off completely, knowing everything is taken care of.

Rooms Designed for Calm Coastal Living

Each bedroom is crafted around comfort, serenity and the soft, soothing palette of the Dorset coast. Expect:

• Super King beds

• Egyptian cotton linens

• Fluffy robes

• Natural English bath products

• Coastal-inspired décor

• Light-filled spaces with sash windows

• Garden hideaways or panoramic sea views

Most rooms look out across Lyme Bay, perfect for peaceful mornings and tranquil evenings where the sound of the waves drifts in through the open window.

Relaxed Dining With a Taste of Lyme Bay

Food at the Alexandra is relaxed yet refined, seasonal, and inspired by the coastline. The kitchen works closely with local fishermen, farmers and trusted regional growers, creating menus that celebrate Dorset’s freshest ingredients.

Expect relaxed favourites such as:

• casual lunches

• small plates

• Sunday lunches

• summer barbecues

• seafood-led dishes

• simple, flavourful plates made with local produce

In summer, guests spill out onto the garden terrace or the sea-view deck, both perfect for alfresco dining while watching the boats move in and out of the harbour below.

Space to Breathe: Gardens, Terraces & Sea Views

The Alexandra’s gardens are one of its greatest treasures: sheltered, peaceful and beautifully maintained, with hidden spots to sit with a book, enjoy morning coffee or simply soak up the views. From the lawns, the sea stretches endlessly into the horizon, and the coastline curves gently toward the Cobb.

It’s a place where time genuinely seems to slow down.

Wellness & Complete Relaxation

For those seeking deeper rest, the Alexandra’s wellness room offers calming treatments designed to soothe mind and body. Many guests pair a coastal walk with a massage for the perfect restorative day.

Why Guests Return Year After Year

The Alexandra is not a place you simply “book”. It’s a place you discover, cherish and return to.

Loved by Couples

A favourite for anniversaries, romantic escapes and peaceful weekends by the sea.

As evening falls, lanterns glow softly by the doorways, welcoming you back after a gentle stroll along the moon-washed beach, a simple pleasure that many guests describe as one of the most magical moments of staying here.

Perfect for Walkers

Set directly on the Jurassic Coast, it’s an ideal base for coastal adventures.

A True Escape for City Travellers

Many Londoners and guests from across the M3, M4 and M5 corridors choose the Alexandra for its calm, restorative atmosphere, far from noise, pace and pressure.

It isn’t a party hotel, and that’s exactly why people love it.

A Few Words From Our Guests

Our guests say it best; here are just a few of the many comments that capture the Alexandra experience:

• “Such a lovely peaceful hotel.”

• “Staff exceptionally courteous, friendly and efficient.”

• “Wonderful feeling of timeless summer by the sea.”

• “Could not fault a thing; the staff are exceptional.”

• “Beautiful rooms, love the décor.”

• “Brilliant stay, brilliant staff, brilliant food.”

• “Intimate, warm and natural.”

• “Absolutely glorious in every respect.”

Their words reflect what the Alexandra is truly about: warmth, serenity and the feeling of being genuinely cared for.

Your Dorset Coastal Retreat Awaits

Whether you’re dreaming of a slow seaside break, a romantic weekend, a summer lunch on the terrace or a peaceful base for exploring the Jurassic Coast, the Alexandra offers a relaxed, heartfelt coastal retreat unlike anywhere else in Dorset.

Intimate, timeless and deeply personal, our little haven by the sea.

Explore current offers: https://www.hotelalexandra.co.uk/hotel-special-offers

View rooms & suites: https://www.hotelalexandra.co.uk/bedrooms

Book your stay: https://www.hotelalexandra.co.uk/