Love the idea of a hotel stay with views over the yacht-studded marinas of places like Cannes, St Tropez or  Monaco but don’t quite have budget to make it a reality? We’ve got some good news, because there’s a much closer-to-home option that gives you all the luxuries of waterside living without the hefty price tag – the stylish Salthouse Harbour Hotel on Neptune Quay in Ipswich.

Ok, so wall-to-wall sun might not be guaranteed, but you will wake up to beautiful views over the smart waterfront area of Suffolk’s county town, where boats bob and masts sway on the smooth quay and there’s a real sense of being on the riviera. Inside the hotel is just as gorgeous, with cool modern and arty interiors that pack a punch – no griege walls here – and work perfectly with the characterful warehouse bones of the building.

The Eaterie @ the Salthouse Harbour Hotel is a real destination restaurant for both locals and guests with cool creative cocktails, an inventive à la carte menu featuring the best locally sourced ingredients and a fabulous vibe. If you’re looking for white tablecloths, the chink of china and hushed tones this is not the place for you. On hot days you can drink or dine on the terrace area and really feel like you’re somewhere chic abroad. To treat yourself on a budget don’t miss the Express Set Menu (available Monday to Friday, 12-3/5-6pm), which consists of three courses and a cocktail for just £35.

The rooms here are delightfully unique and individual and really make the most of the location. Many have floor-to-ceiling double aspect windows so you can always see the marina and some have balconies and copper bathtubs with a view. The Penthouse Suite is a real stunner, although any of the front-facing rooms will delight.

The real beauty of the hotel though is you can start your day feeling like you’re in Antibes but within less than half an hour step foot into the bucolic scenes from Constable’s paintings, sun yourself in a traditional British seaside town or walk down the cute boutique-lined streets of a pastel-hued Medieval wool town or village. Weekend escape locations don’t get much better than this.