Hidden British Gems: The Top "Destination Dupes" in the UK

These dreamy destinations are perfect to start the summer off on a high.

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Groopeze’s Gemma Logan, keen traveller since 2004 and travel writer for the past 13 years, worked with us to identify the UK coastal hospitality spots that are dead ringers for international equivalents when it comes to factors like location and atmosphere.

Brits can swap flights to Positano in Italy for Cornwall, Cape Town for Worthing and Antibes in the South of France for Swansea to start the summer off with a bang. After visiting over 50 countries, Gemma says ‘music and atmosphere’ are crucial to creating a memorable food & drink experience, as PPL PRS’ music therapist, Marianne Rizkallah explains why.

If you’re craving the holiday pastime of sitting with a drink or snack in hand by the beach – but not loving the thought of tourist crowds or flight prices – then read more to find the ideal solution before summer draws to a close.

The Ultimate Staycation Guide

Hotel Tresanton, Cornwall is a UK dupe for…

Ristorante Da Adolfo, Positano, Italy

Photo 1: Cornwall -Photograph of a seaside terrace with striped awnings and lounge chairs overlooking calm blue water under a partly cloudy sky. A person is seated on a lounge chair, with a stone building and greenery visible along the waterfront, creating a peaceful coastal atmosphere. Photo 2: Positano, Italy - Photograph of a coastal scene showing a calm blue sea, rocky cliffs, and a sandy beach with a few people walking and swimming. Foreground features a shaded outdoor seating area with tables and chairs, framed by trees and a wooden structure.

Found on the edge of Cornwall’s breathtaking village of St Mawes, Polizzi-owned Hotel Tresanton is a real luxurious spot that could easily be found on the sandy shores of Italy.

Gemma says: “With the quiet elegance of mosaic flooring and sun-drenched, light panelled decor, Hotel Tresanton is a real treasure of a find that could be mistaken for the Amalfi coast.

“Its terraces spill down the hillside to a beach club set above the waterline where guests pad over rockpools and soft sand, taking in the relaxing sound of lapping salt water.”

According to Gemma, this St Mawes gem is a perfect UK dupe for Italy’s Ristorante Da Adolfo in Positano with its relaxed atmosphere that encapsulates the ‘effortlessly chic, polished vibe that the Italians have perfected.”

JoJo’s Meze, Meat and Fish Restaurant, Whitstable is a UK dupe for…

Captain Nicolas Naoussa, Paros, Greece

Photo 1: Whitstable - Photograph of a coastal view taken from a balcony featuring a white metal table and two chairs, with a bowl on the table. The scene includes a calm sea, a grassy promenade, a wooden utility pole, and houses along the shoreline under a clear sky at sunset. Photo 2: Paros, Greece - Photograph of an outdoor seating area at a coastal café during twilight, featuring white round tables, wooden chairs with cream cushions, and potted plants under white arches. Calm sea and distant land are visible beyond a sandy shore, creating a peaceful and scenic atmosphere.

Gemma says that Kent’s coastal town of Whitstable has a ‘distinct Mediterranean feel’, thanks to its world-famous oysters that have been harvested there since the Roman times.

 

Gemma’s pick of JoJo’s Meze, Meat and Fish Restaurant perfectly captures the family-run, bustling vibe that is evocative of European hospitality. Its fuss-free seafood menu of calamari, mackerel and meze selection enjoyed overlooking Whitstable Cove is ‘simply a match made in seaside-town heaven.”

 

The Whitstable eatery is Gemma’s UK dupe for the coastal Greek hotel Captain Nicolas Naoussa in Paros.

 

She says: “Think of people spilling out onto the shingle beach with pints in hand and paper plates of oysters or crab and the transportive salt air mingling with the familiar scent of grilled seafood.

 

“To capture the atmosphere of this Greek jewel on home soil, a visit to the Whitstable eatery could be the winning ticket.”

The Lighthouse, Swansea is a UK dupe for…

Plage Keller in Antibes, France

The Lighthouse in Swansea is an ‘Instagrammer’s dream’, according to the travel expert, with the restaurant’s view featuring Mumbles lighthouse as a striking focal point.

Surrounded by the lapping waves of Bracelet Bay, guests could easily be mistaken for dining in the South of France rather than a stone’s throw from Wales’ second largest city.

Gemma says: “Bracelet Bay curves like an embrace around the golden sand and, perched on its edge, sits The Lighthouse.

“When the tide’s out and the sun’s glinting off the water, it channels the atmosphere of a fashionable Riviera. There’s something about the polished, contemporary décor and panoramic views that really echoes the same glossy, elegant energy.”

Gemma’s Welsh wonder is a counterpart to the restaurant Plage Keller on the south coast of France’s Antibes, which also sports its own panoramic views. If it’s scenery you’re looking for when dining, The Lighthouse is certainly a worthy contender to the likes of Plage Keller.

Craig Millar @ 16 West End, Fife is a UK dupe for…

 Skagen’s Brøndums Hotel, Denmark

Photo 1: Fife, Scotland: Photograph of an outdoor café terrace overlooking a body of water under a cloudy sky. Features metal tables and chairs, a white building with windows and hanging flower pots, and a foreground of vibrant flowers along a tiled wall. Photo 2: Skagen, Denmark: Photograph of a quiet residential street lined with traditional houses featuring sloped roofs and large windows. The scene includes a tree on the left, a streetlamp in the centre, and a clear sky with soft clouds, suggesting a peaceful suburban neighbourhood during late afternoon or early evening.

Nestled on Fife’s St Monans Harbour where visitors stroll past stacked lobster pots, rows of quaint houses and bobbing boats sits Craig Millar @ 16 West End.

“The terrace provides a breathtaking spot to watch the sunlight dance off the water”, Gemma says, “with the low, whitewashed walling reminiscent of European eateries.

“This Michelin restaurant oozes style and class whilst honouring its local fishing heritage with wooden panel work and brass bell decor.”

Craig Millar @ 16 West End shares the same callback to traditional coastal culture as its European counterpart – the Brøndums Hotel in Skagen, Denmark.

A ‘charming, stylish’ coastal town at the northern-most tip of the Scandinavian country, the hotel, Gemma says this hospitality hotspot is “cute, comfy, stylish and utterly unique.”

Perch on the Pier, Worthing, Sussex is a UK dupe for…

Grand Pavilion, Cape Town, South Africa

Photo 1: Worthing, Sussex: Photograph of a modern restaurant interior featuring wooden chairs, tables set with glassware, and large windows offering a sea view. Natural light highlights green plants and a clean, minimalist design, creating an inviting dining atmosphere. Photo 2: Cape Town, South Africa:Photograph of a bright, open-air seaside restaurant with wooden chairs and tables set for dining, featuring glassware and plates. Large glass windows offer views of palm trees and ocean under a clear blue sky, creating a relaxed, tropical atmosphere.

The South Coast of England is known for its seaside resorts of Brighton and Bournemouth for obligatory trips to the arcade and fun fairs – but when it comes to hospitality, Perch on the Pier in Worthing gets Gemma’s vote as a location that rivals an international hotspot.

“Worthing has really stepped up in recent years after quietly building a reputation for its cool, creative energy by the sea”, she says, “Perch on the Pier is a perfect example of that. This beautifully designed restaurant sits right on Worthing Pier with breathtaking views of the coastline.”

This seaside sensation is Gemma’s UK equivalent to Camps Bay’s Grand Pavilion in South Africa.

Like Perch on the Pier, a ‘dazzling ocean backdrop’ accompanies a dining experience. For those who don’t fancy taking to the skies to visit, Worthing’s equivalent provides a sublimely similar atmosphere.

Watersmeet Hotel, Devon is a UK dupe for…

Alila Marea Beach Resort, Encinitas, California

Photo 1: Devon: Photograph of a coastal hotel complex situated on a grassy cliff overlooking a rocky beach and ocean. The scene features multiple white buildings with a Union Jack flag, outdoor seating areas, and a small pool, highlighting a serene seaside retreat. Photo 2: Encinitas, California: Photograph of a coastal resort featuring a modern building with large glass windows, an outdoor pool, and sun loungers arranged on a green lawn. The scene includes a sandy beach stretching along a rugged cliffside under a partly cloudy blue sky, highlighting a tranquil seaside atmosphere.

Home of the cream tea, scrumpy cider and stretches of sandy coves, Devon has long been a popular summertime hotspot among Brits. For those in search of a hospitality spot which rivals the sea air of abroad destinations, Gemma suggests Watersmeet Hotel in the north of the county.

“Watersmeet Hotel is set handsomely in the cliff face above Combesgate Beach”, says Gemma, “making for a dramatic setting to enjoy an evening sunset.

“Originally built in 1907, the hotel has kept it’s rustic Edwardian charm but modernised for the contemporary visitor with its soft colour palette and elegant menu – an utter Devonshire delight.”

According to Gemma, this beachside escape is the ideal destination to channel a Californian feel as a dupe for Alila Marea Beach Resort in the Golden State’s Encinitas beach city – perfectly encapsulating “Californian beach culture where children are care-free and couples sip wine on the balcony taking in the landscape.”

Gemma says that beyond the UK and international venues’ stunning locations, their atmosphere and energy are largely to thank for being so memorable. 

“Some of my biggest travel duds have not been because of disappointing menus or poor table service but because there was no excitement or ambience in the air.

“Whether you’re on holiday in the UK or abroad, you want the whole package from a hospitality venue. Great food and drink only tick a couple of boxes – a venue needs that certain buzz to keep you there longer. For me, music plays a huge part in creating that atmosphere. It’s what transforms a meal into an experience and turns a quick drink into an evening to look back on.”

Marianne Rizkallah, music therapist for PPL PRS,, explains why music and atmosphere is vital when it comes to an enjoyable hospitality experience.

“The right soundtrack creates an emotional connection that goes beyond good food or service to create a lasting impression.

“When someone enters a restaurant or pub, their brain is making split-second judgements about whether this is a place they want to be. Music immediately signals warmth, quality and atmosphere. For hospitality owners, thinking strategically about music can improve customer retention and, ultimately, their bottom line.”

If you want to make sure your business is fully covered to play music this summer, simply fill in our online form to get a quote or call one of our team on 0800 015 5945 for more information.

References:

* A survey commissioned by PPL PRS of 2,000 people in the UK in February 2026.   

** A survey commissioned by PPL PRS of 2,000 people in the UK in February 2024.   

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