Happy Place

HOTEL OVERVIEW

You know what struck me first about Happy Place? The name actually fits – and I mean that in the least cheesy way possible. Tucked away on Church Road in Coopers Beach, this little boutique spot feels like someone’s incredibly well-designed beach house that they’ve decided to share with the world. I’ve stayed at plenty of those cookie-cutter coastal hotels, but this one’s different. It doesn’t have an official star rating because, honestly, it doesn’t need one – the 9-point rating speaks for itself.

The location is what really gets me excited about this place. West Mersea isn’t exactly on every tourist’s radar (which is part of its charm), but once you’re here, you’ll understand why locals are so protective of it. You’re literally a stone’s throw from Coopers Beach – I mean, you can hear the water from your room, especially at high tide. The Strood causeway that connects Mersea Island to the mainland gets cut off during really high tides, which sounds terrifying but is actually quite magical. There’s something about being temporarily island-bound that makes you slow down and really settle in. The parking situation is refreshingly straightforward, by the way – no circling around for ages like you do in some seaside towns.

What I love most is how the owners have resisted the urge to over-theme everything. Sure, there are nautical touches, but they feel genuine rather than forced. The rooms have this lived-in elegance – think quality linens that actually feel expensive, not just look it, and those little details like proper reading lights and windows that open wide to let in the sea air. The check-in process feels more like arriving at a friend’s place than a hotel transaction. Honestly, the staff seem to know the area inside and out, which is invaluable when you’re trying to figure out tide times for the best beach walks or which local pubs actually serve decent food (spoiler: most of them do, but they’ll point you toward the real gems). The whole vibe is quietly sophisticated without being stuffy – you could roll up in sandy flip-flops or dress for dinner and feel equally at home.