The Beach House is easy to find on the main road into West Wittering, but if you do get lost you’ll find it’s well known among locals.

The weekend breakfasts, al fresco lunches and themed music nights have earned it a solid reputation in this pretty West Sussex village.

After a swift check-in (the desk is the back of the bar) we grabbed the last free table outside for lunch in the sunshine.

A fresh and perfectly grilled chunk of black bream with lemon and herbs and an intriguing (fish of the day costs £10-£17) but successful combination of chicken stuffed with crayfish and pineapple (£12.95) went down well with a glass of house white (£3.30).

Alexander House Hotel, Turners Hill, West Sussex

Shelley's old family pile has a substanial spa and is well placed for Gatwick

• Gravetye Manor, East Grinstead, West Sussex

BACKGROUND

• Copthorne Hotel London Gatwick, West Sussex

• Gravetye Manor, East Grinstead, West Sussex

• The Spread Eagle, Midhurst, West Sussex

• Butlins, Bognor Regis, West Sussex

BACKGROUND

• The Beach House, West Wittering, West Sussex

• Gatwick Hilton, Crawley

• Shoreline, Bognor Regis, West Sussex

• The Old Railway Station, Petworth, West Sussex

• Ockenden Manor, Cuckfield, West Sussex

Related Internet Links

• More hotel reviews in South East England

Despite being on the edge of the gravelled car park, it was a peaceful spot, with a gentle backdrop of chatter from other diners, many of whom had children with them.

The guesthouse is true to its name – a beachy feel with a large covered veranda and tables under sunshades. The red brick exterior is ordinary but there’s a lovely café-feel inside, with blue-washed wood panelling, blackboards of specials on the walls and a row of little wooden beach huts above the bar.

The seven bedrooms offer twin, double and family layouts and all have ensuite bathrooms. Ours overlooked the road but there was little traffic noise. Sadly we had neither a view of the South Downs or the coastline, but with the former a ten-minute drive away and the latter a 15-minute walk away, there was no need to enjoy them from afar.

The décor was simple – white walls with one blue feature wall, stripey blue duvets, white towels and pine furniture. The wardrobe was a good size with plenty of hangers and there was tea and coffee, kettle, with fresh milk available, a television, iron and ironing board available and a notice told us we could use the fridge, television and microwave downstairs.

There was wireless internet for a one-off charge of £3 and plenty of parking spaces.

We had breakfast the following morning (served until 10am) at the same table outside. I opted for the healthy Greek yoghurt and fruit option, which was delicious, although my partner’s scrambled egg with bacon and mushroom was also excellent – plenty of it, fresh and cooked just right.

Users of Tripadvisor.co.uk give the hotel a well-earned 4.5/5 rating. The food and service receive almost universal praise and the only complaints concern noise during the night and the long walk to the beach. I sympathise with the latter - the website gave me the impression it overlooked the beach, when infact it's a 15-minute walk away. The only major moan concerned noise from a building site during the reviewer's stay and a poor fish meal.

Bottom line: Rooms from £85 (£75 mid-week and £60 single occupancy). There is usually a 2 night minimum stay during weekends from April to September and throughout school holidays.

Best thing: the food

Worst thing: cold shower (although the management explained this was a one-off problem with the boiler and not a regular occurence)

Access all areas: parts of the property, including two family bedrooms, are wheelchair accessible but access is tricky owing to gravel and small steps.

Need to know: The Beach House, Rockwood Rd, West Wittering, Chichester, West Sussex, PO20 8LT; tel. 01243 514800; www.beachhse.co.uk; info@beachhse.co.uk

Food: 9 out of 10

Service: 9 out of 10

Room: 7 out of 10

Value: 8 out of 10

Four word review: beachy alfresco homely tasty

Times recommends

• Confessions at 39,000 feet - your stories
• Europe's 20 best Christmas markets 2009
• Cruise passengers say: ‘We’ll tip when we want to’