Cabu by the sea

The cabin itself was clean and nice inside, the shop had a good selection, the cocktails were lovely, and the staff were friendly. Our dog also had a great time chasing rabbits. I can see a big group of friends or families enjoying the place if they book it together. The site is fenced, which helps kids and dogs run around safely, though people can enter from the coastal path through the unlocked gate at the back. The experience felt very different from the tranquil, luxurious retreat suggested by the website and Instagram. My husband and I were excited to visit after seeing the good reviews, but the reality was far below our expectations. The arrival area looked neglected, with dying grass, weeds and dead plants in pots. The cabins are close together, and the crowded, worn communal areas can become difficult to use when families are there. More planting or fencing around each cabin could give guests privacy. The pool is small and had algae on the tiles, though the water was pleasantly warm when I dipped my feet in. Our cabin was next to a busy road, so the traffic drowned out any sound of the sea and kept us awake both nights. The advertised sea view was a concrete wall, with walkers on the coastal path able to see in. Our hot tub, which cost extra, was lukewarm, looked dirty and was very exposed, so we didn’t use it. At 08:40, a man came to add chlorine, which disturbed us. A note or some warning beforehand would have helped. We paid £780 for two nights, including £40 for our dog, about the price of some five-star hotels, yet nearly everything costs extra: the sauna after the complimentary hour, a terrace BBQ, bikes and even coffee. There was no dog bed as I’d been told there would be. We brought our own, so it wasn’t a huge problem, but it added to the disappointment. At that price, I’d also expect the bins to be emptied during the day. There’s space for an adults-only pool, too. I might have felt differently at £150-£200 a night. It wasn’t terrible, but the place didn’t match its marketing or feel like value for money next to other five-star cabins. It has potential, but it was such a shame.

Our kids had an amazing time, and we didn’t hate our stay. Still, for less money you can find more luxurious places that make better memories in prettier, more private surroundings. Cabu has plenty of potential, but the penny-pinching wore me down. The website makes the cabins look isolated in a wild Dungeness-like landscape. In reality, there are around 20 cabins of different sizes packed close together, beside a busy road and several housing estates. Ours was nearest the sea wall, where we could catch the sunrise, though there’s no sea view. I’d have been frustrated with a cabin near the car park, looking out at the backs of other cabins. The cabins look nice and well equipped at first, but the details weren’t always there. We arrived late and planned to cook, only to find a small hob and a combination microwave grill that hadn’t been cleaned. Grease covered the walls and glass plate. Some towels were stained, soft furnishings were snagged, and there was mold in the shower. These are small things, but they could be handled better. Supplies felt stingy. There was no milk, just two regular tea bags and two coffee bags, although there were plenty of herbal options. We had to walk to the shop for milk if it was still open. The log burner came with three logs, then more had to be bought. Even hiring a rusty pedal go-kart cost extra. There were a couple of parties, which didn’t bother us. The guests cleaned the communal kitchen area somewhat, but Cabu staff didn’t come through in the morning to get it ready for the day. Both times, it wasn’t cleaned until mid-afternoon. Cabins also seemed to be left as guests departed and only cleaned on changeover day. By Sunday evening, the empty cabins were at various levels of mess, making the site look untidy. Most people, including us, had booked until Monday because the price difference between two and three nights was small, but left Sunday night to make the school run less stressful. That seemed like extra income for them at no added cost. The staff were lovely, but nobody asked whether we’d enjoyed our stay. On the last day, they emailed to say they were closing early because it was quiet. That’s not really our problem when we’re paying £300-£400 a night.

The friendly, relaxed communal feel, especially in the 'sitooterie', was a highlight. There’s a heated pool, bike hire and a spa, and the seafront setting makes this a real gem. We found it unique and had everything we needed for a family holiday. Thanks so much!

Tina, Eve and the rest of the team were so welcoming and helpful, and everything was spotless. The care put into the service and the design really showed. Being so close to London made it an easy escape, and the weather was lovely too. I had a truly special holiday with my daughter at Cabü by the Sea. It felt like the nicest getaway I could imagine, and it seems well suited to families, couples, solo travelers or a trip with friends. I’d highly recommend it.