A Luxury Coastal Wellbeing Weekend in Folkestone, Hythe and Romney Marsh
There are weekends away, and then there are weekends where you come home feeling as though you’ve actually had a proper reset.
For a coastal wellbeing weekend in Folkestone, Hythe and Romney Marsh, the ingredients are wonderfully simple: sea air, open skies, long walks, good food, time outdoors and plenty of opportunities to slow down.
This three-day itinerary is designed around exactly that.
Stay beside the beach at CABÜ by the Sea, spend Saturday exploring Folkestone’s coastal wellbeing scene, and finish Sunday with a quieter wander through the Romney Marsh landscape.
There is no need to rush.
Think of it as a weekend where the seaside sets the pace.
Friday: Arrive, Unwind and Watch the Sun Go Down
Check in at CABÜ by the Sea
Your coastal wellbeing weekend starts at CABÜ by the Sea, tucked beside St Mary’s Bay between Romney Marsh and the English Channel.
The high end cabins sit just a minute’s walk from the beach, making it wonderfully easy to get outside from the moment you arrive. There are different cabin sizes, self-catering kitchens, outdoor spaces and access to CABÜ’s swimming pool, with nature spa, sauna and hot tub facilities also available. It’s a real treat and luxury experience.
Open the doors to the fresh air and take a moment to settle in. The aim for tonight is simple: slow down.
Friday Dinner at Rocksalt
Once you’re ready to head into Folkestone, make your way to Rocksalt on the Harbour.
With its position overlooking the water, Rocksalt is a fitting place to begin a coastal weekend. Its seasonal menus focus on Kent and South East produce, with ingredients sourced from local farms and day boats along the South Coast. The restaurant also has a sun-drenched terrace overlooking the harbour.
The menu changes with the seasons, with a strong emphasis on fresh fish alongside meat, vegetables and locally sourced ingredients. Vegetarian and other dietary requirements can also be catered for with advance notice.
This is dinner with a view, and there’s no better way to start a weekend beside the sea.
FRIDAY NIGHT
Sunset Coastal Walk
After dinner, resist the temptation to head straight back to your cabin. Instead, take a gentle evening stroll along Folkestone’s waterfront.
The harbour transformed as the light changes, with the Channel stretching out ahead and the town beginning to glow behind you. Walk at an easy pace, stop to watch the boats or simply find somewhere to sit and watch the sunset.
Just the sea outside, the evening air and the luxury of knowing you don’t have to be anywhere else.
Saturday Morning: Sea Scrub Sauna
Saturday is your full coastal wellbeing in Folkestone, Hythe and Romney Marsh day, with a little movement, a little adventure and plenty of time to do absolutely nothing.
Start your day at Sea Scrub Sauna Folkestone, right beside the sea near the Harbour Arm.
This is not your traditional spa.
Sea Scrub Sauna describes its Folkestone site as the UK’s largest beach spa, with two saunas, a large cold plunge, a hot tub and warm showers, all set right on the seafront. There is also a café serving a Japanese-inspired menu.
The whole experience is designed around the contrast between warmth, cold water, fresh air and the natural surroundings.
It is worth allowing yourself plenty of time rather than treating it as something to squeeze into the morning. Sit, breathe, enjoy the sea views and let the pace of the weekend begin to change.
Saturday Late Morning: Get Out on the Water
Once you’ve warmed up and had some time to relax, head towards Sunny Sands for a paddleboarding session with Folkestone Sea Sports.
Paddleboarding around the harbour offers a completely different perspective on Folkestone. From the water, you can look back towards the Harbour Arm and coastline rather than simply walking alongside it.
Folkestone Sea Sports provides paddleboard and kayak hire, with equipment, safety briefing and basic guidance included.
For a wellbeing-focused weekend, the point isn’t to go furthest or fastest. It’s to get out on the water, look around and enjoy seeing the coast from a different angle.
Always follow the provider’s safety guidance and their decision about whether conditions are suitable.
Saturday Lunch:Lunch at The Harbour Inn
For a relaxed lunch in Folkestone, head down to The Harbour Inn on Harbour Street, where the seafood-focused menu and views towards Folkestone Harbour make a lovely stop during a day by the coast.
The Harbour Inn was transformed into a stylish seafood pub and restaurant in 2017, with fresh seafood from local trawlers at the heart of its offering. The menu also includes familiar favourites such as fish and chips, homemade pies, burgers and vegetarian options, making it an easy choice when everyone wants something different.
It’s particularly well placed for a leisurely lunch before wandering along the Harbour Arm, exploring the Old High Street or continuing your coastal adventure. Food is currently served from midday, with lunch available until 3pm Monday to Friday.
Saturday Afternoon: Beach, Book and Do Nothing
Now comes the part of the itinerary that might be the most important.
Nothing.
Find a beach spot around Dymchurch or St Mary’s Bay, away from the crowds, settle down with a book, take a gentle walk or simply sit and listen to the sea.
The point is to leave some space in the day.
No alarms.
No rushing.
No feeling that you have to tick off every attraction.
Just time by the sea.
Saturday Night:
An Evening at John Dory
For a relaxed evening by the sea, John Dory Wine Shop and Tasting Room brings together a lovely combination of exquisite wine tasting, food, atmosphere and events. The incredible wine selection features great wines from around the world, with a focus on Burgundy, the Rhône, Germany, Piemonte, Tuscany, the Loire, grower Champagne and a smattering from everywhere else.
Based in Sandgate, seconds from the beachfront, John Dory has a changing programme of special food evenings throughout the year. Current events include monthly steak nights and Summer Wednesdays, with menus that have included tacos, fried chicken, specialist Thai Food and Guatemalan hot dogs. The food offering changes regularly, which makes each visit a little different.
It is the sort of place to visit if you’re looking for something informal and a little different from a traditional restaurant. Check the current events calendar before visiting, as menus and dates change throughout the year.
Saturday Night: Finish with CABÜ’s Outdoor Spa
Before bed, make the most of CABÜ’s Nature Spa and outdoor bathing.
The site has outdoor hot tubs, a cold plunge and a sauna, with the whole experience designed around reconnecting with nature and taking in the sea air.
After a day that has included the sea, sauna, paddleboarding, walking and fresh air, this is the perfect excuse to slow everything down again before walking across the site back to your beautiful cozy beach cabin for a restorative night of sleep.
Sunday: Romney Marsh, Nature and a Slow Breakfast
After checking out of CABÜ, head towards Romney Warren Local Nature Reserve.
This 11-hectare nature reserve provides a very different experience from Folkestone’s beaches. Instead of cliffs and harbour views, you’ll find grassland, open space and opportunities to spot wildlife.
It is a lovely way to end a weekend centred around coastal wellbeing because it gives you a chance to slow down one more time before heading home.
The reserve sits alongside the Romney Marsh Visitor Centre, where The Nest provides a convenient place to finish the morning.
Sunday Brunch at The Nest
After your last stroll of the weekend, head to The Nest Café for brunch or lunch before you head home.
The café is open from 9am daily and serves Green Farm Coffee alongside hot and cold food and snacks. After your weekend of sea air, swimming, sauna, walking and outdoor adventures, this is a suitably relaxed final stop.
Sit down.
Refuel.
Talk about your favourite part of the weekend.
And, importantly, don’t immediately start thinking about Monday.
Why Choose Folkestone, Hythe and Romney Marsh for a Wellbeing Break?
The beauty of a coastal wellbeing weekend in Folkestone, Hythe and Romney Marsh is that it doesn’t need to be complicated.
There is the sea when you want adventure.
The beaches when you want space.
The harbour when you want food and culture.
The countryside when you want quiet.
And places like Sea Scrub Sauna and CABÜ when you want to properly switch off.
Most importantly, you can create a weekend that isn’t about doing more.
It’s about feeling better.
So pack a book, bring your walking shoes, leave some space in the diary and let the Kent coast do the rest.