Eastbourne: The Big Sleep, Murder at the Mowbray and Pregnancy Pilates at The Guesthouse East
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What is it about Eastbourne, once considered the grande dame of English seaside resorts, that provokes such unusual offerings?
First, actor John Malkovich opens The Big Sleep Hotel, a very out-there budget hotel featuring pale-blue fleece bedroom curtains and a high-design breakfast room. Then a pair of barristers buys a B&B, retire from the law and write murder mysteries to entertain guests instead.
The Big Sleep Hotel and Murder at the Mowbray have become a fixture in the resort which has just been voted Best Seaside Town in Britain, and very entertaining they are too. The former brings a touch of hip and chic to a town which is trying so hard to reinvent itself as trendy. Some evidence of their success can be seen in the bars, clubs and restaurants around the station, though Eastbourne’s shopping is sadly short on what it takes to attract fashionistas. The Mowbray’s murder mysteries make for a really fun evening, too, though individuals can only come if there’s a space in a group booking, and I wish they would bring all their bedrooms up to the standard of the one they upgraded last year.
Pilates and Pampering for Pregnant Mums
Now another Eastbourne hostelry has launched a series of pregnancy retreats which combine an introduction to Pilates for mothers-to be with pampering beauty treatments. Each weekend at The Guesthouse East includes a class on Saturday and Sunday mornings and a choice of mini-facial, manicure, pedicure or half-hour pregnancy massage.
The Pilates classes are taught by Tracy Armfield, a qualified instructor who recently had a baby herself and has experienced first-hand the help Pilates can give in strengthening pelvic floor muscles. These are not only used to push the baby out, but apparently used as a trampoline by babies while they are practising their first moves in the womb! And they’re the same muscles which come back into play when parents find time to resume their sex life.
Personal trainers are offered to accompanying dads who want to get fit themselves, but Eastbourne in any case has plenty of attractions, from the prom and pier to live theatre and hiking at nearby Beachy Head. The weekend retreat costs £190 per mum-to-be which includes the Pilates classes, beauty treatment and bed and breakfast. Accompanying (non Pilates participating) partners pay £100 for the B&B, and there are twin-bedded rooms for pregnant friends who want to do the weekend together.
There’s a pregnancy weekend every month from November to February – but be warned that it’s advisable to wait until the 17th week to practise Pilates. And remember you don’t have to be pregnant to practise it - this guesthouse also accommodates pilates aficionados and runners taking the monthly weekend courses at the Running Inn, which also works with The Big Sleep to put up would-be marathon runners and just plain fitness fans.
Useful links
Murder at the Mowbray, Eastbourne
The Big Sleep Hotel, Eastbourne
The Guesthouse East, Eastbourne
The Running Inn, hotel in Eastbourne
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