Astral Lodge

My single room with a sea view was small, but clean, nicely decorated in a quirky way, and had everything I needed. The view was fantastic, and the windows were clean enough to enjoy it, which is surprisingly rare. The bathroom was compact but modern and rather nice. I did see another single room without a sea view, and it was tiny and dark, a very different experience. My room was peaceful, though I don't know if that's seasonal or usual. The location is close to the pier and midway between the Old Town and the modern area, so interesting places are only minutes away in either direction. The receptionist was friendly and helpful, always greeting me with a warm smile. It's very dog friendly, with no extra dog charges, which is great since those can sometimes cost nearly as much as the room. I came for the bonfire parade, a busy time of year for Hastings, and the location was ideal, just minutes from the bonfire and beside the parade starting point. The receptionist was fine with me leaving my dog in the room and said she'd call if they barked because of the fireworks. To be fair, my dogs generally don't give a damn. A few things to keep in mind: there's no lift, and the stairs are very steep and narrow. The sea-view rooms are four floors up, which felt a bit daunting for someone with balance issues and an assistance dog. I'd say it wouldn't suit young children, older guests, or people with mobility issues. There's no breakfast or food and drink service, which I missed because I love a cooked hotel breakfast, but there are plenty of places nearby.

For a budget stay, this was a good choice: the sea views, quiet atmosphere, and nearby amenities were all nice. We stayed two nights, and check-in went smoothly for a good price. The room was a decent size, clean and tidy, with tea, coffee, and a kettle; the communal areas were clean too. The compact bathroom was clean, and the water pressure and temperature were great. We had no noise problems. They don't serve food, but there are plenty of places close by. We'd recommend Poppy's Bistro around the corner.

The sea-facing window was the highlight, with a huge view and the beach just nearby. The room was clean and comfortable, and the staff were kind and happy to have me and my cat stay. They even found it funny that a cat was on holiday! For a budget hotel, it was a great stay. Astral Lodge, thanks from both of us.

We got in late because our train arrived at 8.10pm, but the receptionist kindly let us check in after hours. It was a quiet hotel in a good spot, and our bed was comfortable with a sea view. The kettle and TV worked well, though a few channels didn't. The shower looked nice, but we didn't try it. A lovely, simple budget stay.