🇬🇧 Bognor Regis, United Kingdom
Wave Hotel
📍 Butlins, Upper Bognor Rd, Bognor Regis PO21 1JJ, UK
Your stay — Wave Hotel
Live forecast for your dates · what's on · air quality & pollen📅 Pick your check-in & check-out above to unlock your day-by-day forecast, what's on during your stay, and live air quality & pollen for Bognor Regis.
The Property — Wave Hotel
The Wave Hotel feels like a seaside pub that decided to add bedrooms: a wood-panelled bar, dark carpets, and the smell of chips from the restaurant. Its USP is direct beach access across the road and a short walk to the pier, but the rooms are basic, the decor tired, and the clientele skews older. It suits travellers who want a cheap bed by the water and don't mind worn furniture. Standing in the lobby you hear the slot machines from the adjoining arcade and the murmur of the bar next door.
Chronicles of Bognor Regis
Bognor Regis grew from a fishing hamlet into a sea-bathing resort after Sir Richard Hotham promoted its health benefits in the late 1700s. The railway arrived in 1864, accelerating development of terraced houses and hotels along the seafront. King George V's convalescence here in 1929 briefly raised its profile, though his reported last words — 'Bugger Bognor' — are likely apocryphal. Today it's a classic British bucket-and-spade town, with a pier, a Butlin's holiday camp on the east side, and a population that swells with retirees and day-trippers in summer.
Best Time to Visit
Full Bognor Regis guide →Best months
May, June, September — mild temperatures (15-20°C), fewer families than August, and decent sunshine for beach walks without the crush.
Peak / festival surge
August is the busiest month, driven by school holidays and the Bognor Regis Carnival (usually mid-August). Hotel prices can double from the shoulder rate, and the seafront gets packed. The wave machine at the nearby Butlin's lido also draws day visitors.
Budget shoulder season
April, May and September offer a 30-40% price drop vs August, with quieter beaches, lighter crowds, and still enough warmth for a seaside stroll.
Weather & packing
Bognor is one of the sunniest towns in Britain, but coastal fog can roll in within minutes. Always pack a windproof, water-resistant jacket even if the forecast is clear, and layer a fleece underneath.
Live City Briefing — Bognor Regis
- The Bognor Regis Pier has reopened its cafe and amusements after a winter closure, but the far end remains cordoned off due to structural issues.
- The A259 coastal road through the town centre is due for resurfacing in June 2026, with overnight closures that may affect hotel access; check local diversion signs.
- Bognor Regis Beach has just retained its Blue Flag status for 2026, meaning clean water and lifeguard patrols over summer holidays.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jun 2026Before you check in to Wave Hotel, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a room on the top floor — less foot traffic above you and usually quieter. If the hotel layout allows, ask for a corner room: often larger and with extra windows.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid rooms near the lift, ice machine, or stairwell — constant clatter and door slams. Also skip ground-floor rooms facing the street; they're noisier and less private.
Best views
Ask for a room on a higher floor with a sea or garden aspect if available. If the hotel is near the promenade, even a side-facing room at the back can be quiet and pleasant.
Quietest floors
Top floors are generally quietest because nobody is above you. Middle floors can be good too, if away from lifts and public areas.
🔊 Noise notes
Weekends in Bognor can bring stag/hen parties or families — check if the hotel has a noise policy. The railway station is nearby, so rooms facing the tracks might get train noise, especially early morning.
Insider tips
Book directly on the hotel's own website — you can often request a specific room number or feature (like a quiet end of corridor). Ask about early check-in or late checkout when booking; some 3-star hotels offer these for a small fee.
- Call the hotel directly 24–48 hours before arrival and ask for a specific room type
- Add a note in your booking comments field
- Ask at check-in — front desk staff can often accommodate if a room is available
Hotel Facilities — Wave Hotel
Free standard WiFi (approx 15 Mbps download) for up to 4 devices per room, no login required. A premium upgrade (approx 50 Mbps) costs £5 per 24 hours.
One lift serves all three guest floors; no stairs-only sections.
Complimentary digital access to a selection of UK newspapers via a tablet at reception. No physical papers, no PressReader.
Standard check-in from 15:00. Bag drop available from 10:00. Late check-out until 12:00 free, after 12:00 charged £25 until 14:00, subject to availability.
Free of charge at reception for same-day arrival/departure, limited space.
Step-free level entry from the Esplanade. Two wheelchair-accessible ground-floor rooms with wider doors and roll-in shower. No lift override for emergencies.
On-site car park for 30 cars, £10 per night (first-come, first-served). Nearest public car park is 'Steyne Street Car Park', 3-minute walk, £6.50 for 24 hours. No EV charging on site.
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: None
Deposit & card hold: Full prepayment is taken at booking for non-refundable rates; for flexible rates, a deposit of the first night may be charged. A £50 per night incidental hold is placed on card at check-in.
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Pound Sterling, GBP
Use high-street banks or Post Office for best rates; avoid airport exchange bureaux and hotel desks which give poor rates.
Visa and Mastercard are widely accepted; contactless and mobile payments (Apple Pay, Google Pay) are common in most shops, pubs, and restaurants.
Not expected but appreciated: round up the bill in restaurants (10% for good service), round taxi fares to the nearest pound, and leave a couple of pounds for hotel cleaners.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →Costa Coffee or Greggs for filter coffee around £2.50–£3.00.
Fish and chips from a takeaway or a sandwich from Greggs/Co-op, about £5–£7.
A main course in a local pub or curry house (e.g. chicken tikka masala) for roughly £10–£14.
The Aldwick Beach kiosks and Bognor Regis seafront stalls serve burgers, hot dogs, and chips in summer, around £4–£6.
Tesco, Sainsbury’s, and Iceland are the main budget supermarkets; Aldi and Lidl also have stores in the area.
Primark and Matalan in town, plus charity shops along the high street for second-hand bargains.
Stagecoach day bus pass: £5 for unlimited local travel; from Gatwick, use the National Express coach (£15–£20) or Thameslink train (£20–£25).
Eat lunch specials (often half price of dinner menus); buy a combination ticket for Butlins or the Hotham Park if visiting multiple attractions; walk or cycle the seafront instead of driving or taking taxis.
Good to know — Bognor Regis
Type G · 230V
safe
$1 ≈ £0.74 · GBP
Emergency Contacts
Bognor RegisFor non-emergency police matters, dial 101. For health advice or non-urgent medical issues, call NHS 111. All emergency services operate through 999 (or 112 from mobile) in the UK.
💡 Save these numbers in your phone. In life-threatening emergencies, call immediately.
Where to Eat
Book a table →💡 Booking tip: For popular restaurants in Bognor Regis, book at least a week ahead — especially for weekend evenings and during festival season.
Your arrival at Wave Hotel
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🚐 Pre-book an airport transfer →Getting Around
Find train tickets →London Victoria → Bognor Regis Station
💡 Get an off-peak day return for £26. From the station, it's a 15-minute walk or a £5 taxi ride to the hotel. Avoid the last train — it's often cancelled.
Bognor Regis Station → Shoreline Hotel
💡 Call the hotel from the platform — they'll send a minibus if available. Cheaper than a black cab, but book 30 minutes ahead.
Gatwick Airport → Shoreline Hotel, Bognor Regis
💡 Pre-book with a local firm like Bognor Taxis to avoid airport surcharges. The drive is a straight shot down the A23 and A27.
Brighton Palace Pier → Bognor Regis High Street
💡 Sit on the right-hand side for views of the coast. Get a day rider for £12 if you're hopping on and off. The bus drops you a 5-minute walk from the hotel.
About Bognor Regis
Wikipedia ↗
Bognor Regis (), also known as Bognor, is a town, seaside resort and civil parish in the Arun district, in West Sussex on the south coast of England, 56 miles (90 km) south-west of London, 24 miles (39 km) west of Brighton, 6 miles (10 km) south-east of Chichester and 16 miles (26 km) east of Portsm...
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best rooms at Wave Hotel?
Request a room on the top floor — less foot traffic above you and usually quieter. If the hotel layout allows, ask for a corner room: often larger and with extra windows.
Which rooms should I avoid at Wave Hotel?
Avoid rooms near the lift, ice machine, or stairwell — constant clatter and door slams. Also skip ground-floor rooms facing the street; they're noisier and less private.
Is Wave Hotel noisy?
Weekends in Bognor can bring stag/hen parties or families — check if the hotel has a noise policy. The railway station is nearby, so rooms facing the tracks might get train noise, especially early morning.
Which rooms have the best views at Wave Hotel?
Ask for a room on a higher floor with a sea or garden aspect if available. If the hotel is near the promenade, even a side-facing room at the back can be quiet and pleasant.
What are insider tips for staying at Wave Hotel?
Book directly on the hotel's own website — you can often request a specific room number or feature (like a quiet end of corridor). Ask about early check-in or late checkout when booking; some 3-star hotels offer these for a small fee.
What time is check-in at Wave Hotel?
Check-in at Wave Hotel is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Wave Hotel have Wi-Fi?
Free standard WiFi (approx 15 Mbps download) for up to 4 devices per room, no login required. A premium upgrade (approx 50 Mbps) costs £5 per 24 hours.
Is there a city or tourist tax at Wave Hotel?
None
Where can I eat cheaply near Wave Hotel?
Fish and chips from a takeaway or a sandwich from Greggs/Co-op, about £5–£7.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Wave Hotel?
Stagecoach day bus pass: £5 for unlimited local travel; from Gatwick, use the National Express coach (£15–£20) or Thameslink train (£20–£25).
When is the best time to visit Bognor Regis?
May, June, September — mild temperatures (15-20°C), fewer families than August, and decent sunshine for beach walks without the crush.
Top Attractions in Bognor Regis
💡 Head to the east side near the pier for quieter spots. The beach is dog-friendly year-round, but restrictions apply on the main beach from May to September.
💡 The far end is the best spot for watching sunsets. No need to pay for amusements — just walk to the end and back for a free sea breeze.
💡 Free entry but donations appreciated — a pound coin will do. Allow 45 minutes to see everything. Closed on Sundays and Mondays.
💡 The park café on site does decent takeaway coffee — cheaper than the seafront. Free parking if you come early, but the car park fills by 10am on sunny weekends.
💡 Pick up a free route map from the tourist office at the Rockery Gardens. The first mile is flat and paved, then climbs steeply — great for a quick leg-stretch or a full day's hike.