Casa Coco | Dog-Friendly Seaside Retreat with Private Courtyard

Casa Coco — The Courtyard Retreat

An eclectic seaside hideaway, inspired by Mexico.

A little Mexican soul by the English seaside.

Welcome to Casa Coco, a beautifully renovated, individually designed coastal retreat in the heart of St Leonards-on-Sea, East Sussex.

Just moments from the beach, this stylish one-bedroom apartment offers a relaxed escape from everyday life, combining eclectic interiors, carefully curated furnishings and modern comforts with the character of a traditional seaside building.

Tucked away on the lower ground floor, the apartment has its own private courtyard, exclusively for guests, making it a particularly lovely choice for couples, solo travellers and those exploring the coast with their dogs.

Whether you're here for a romantic weekend, a creative escape, long walks by the sea or simply a change of scenery, Casa Coco is designed to feel like a home away from home — comfortable, characterful and full of personality.

The Apartment

Casa Coco's Courtyard Retreat is one of two individually designed apartments within a characterful period building, thoughtfully renovated in 2026 to bring together the charm of the original property with the comforts of contemporary living.

Created by a photographer and stylist, the interiors reflect a love of travel, art, craftsmanship and collected objects. Rather than a conventional holiday-let aesthetic, you'll find an eclectic mix of furnishings, artistic details, interesting textures and carefully considered design.

The apartment offers a welcoming living space, a separate bedroom, modern kitchen facilities and a contemporary bathroom, providing everything you need for a comfortable seaside stay.

Every detail has been considered to create a space that feels relaxed and inviting, whether you're returning from a day exploring the coastline, enjoying a quiet evening in or settling in for a longer stay.

Your Own Private Courtyard

One of the highlights of the Courtyard Retreat is its private outdoor space, reserved exclusively for guests staying in this apartment.

Enjoy a slow morning with a coffee, take a moment to unwind after exploring the town or relax outside with your four-legged companion.

Having your own courtyard adds another dimension to the apartment, offering the freedom to enjoy a little outdoor living while staying right in the heart of St Leonards.

Dog-Friendly Coastal Living

At Casa Coco, we believe seaside escapes are even better when you can bring your dog along.

The Courtyard Retreat welcomes well-behaved dogs, with a private courtyard and the beach promenade just a short stroll away.

Discover coastal walking routes, explore the surrounding countryside or simply enjoy the atmosphere of St Leonards with your four-legged companion.

And there's a very personal reason why dogs are part of the Casa Coco story.

The Story Behind Casa Coco

Casa Coco was born from a love of travel, interiors and the creative spirit of Mexico.

As a photographer and stylist, I spent four years travelling through Mexico, collaborating with local artists and makers and discovering the country's extraordinary traditions of craftsmanship, colour, art and design.

Those experiences became the inspiration for Casa Coco — a place where carefully collected pieces, eclectic influences and contemporary comfort come together to create something a little different.

The retreat takes its name from Coco, a Mexican street dog I adopted who became my travelling companion as we explored South America together.

Coco's adventurous spirit, and the experiences we shared, inspired the name and the welcoming, relaxed character of the retreat.

When renovating the building in 2026, I wanted to create more than simply somewhere to stay. The vision was to give this period property a new chapter, transforming it into a collection of individually designed seaside apartments that celebrate art, travel, individuality and the pleasure of feeling at home somewhere new.

Today, Casa Coco comprises two independent apartments, each with its own personality, sharing the same creative spirit and love of relaxed coastal living.

Discover St Leonards-on-Sea

Casa Coco is perfectly positioned in the heart of St Leonards-on-Sea, one of the most characterful and creative corners of the East Sussex coast.

With its elegant period architecture, independent shops, thriving arts community and growing food scene, St Leonards has a wonderfully individual atmosphere — a little bohemian, a little nostalgic and full of unexpected discoveries.

The beach and seafront promenade are just a short walk from the apartment, perfect for morning walks, fresh sea air and watching the changing light across the English Channel.

Nearby Norman Road is home to independent galleries, vintage shops, cafés and interesting places to browse, while the surrounding streets offer a lovely mix of restaurants, neighbourhood pubs and local businesses.

The neighbouring town of Hastings is also within easy reach. Wander through the historic Old Town, discover its antique shops and traditional pubs, explore the fishing quarter or enjoy the dramatic coastline and surrounding countryside.

For those wanting to venture further, East Sussex offers beautiful walks, historic villages, gardens and coastal landscapes, with plenty to discover throughout the year.

Warrior Square railway station is conveniently located nearby, making Casa Coco accessible for guests travelling without a car.

The Perfect Seaside Escape

Casa Coco is ideal for guests who appreciate thoughtful design, individual interiors and the freedom of having their own space.

Spend your days exploring independent shops and galleries, discovering local restaurants, walking along the coast or simply enjoying a slower pace of life.

Return to your own comfortable apartment, unwind in the courtyard and enjoy the feeling of having a little seaside home of your own.

Whether you're visiting for a few nights or a longer coastal stay, Casa Coco offers a distinctive and welcoming base for discovering St Leonards and the beautiful East Sussex coastline.

Casa Coco — artful stays by the sea.

Good to Know

Entire self-contained, one-bedroom lower-ground-floor apartment

Private courtyard exclusively for guests of the Courtyard Retreat

Dog-friendly accommodation

Renovated in 2026

Individually curated, Mexican-inspired interiors

Modern kitchen facilities and contemporary bathroom

Short walk to the beach and promenade

Centrally located for cafés, restaurants, galleries and shops

Convenient access to Warrior Square railway station

Self check-in via lockbox

Casa Coco also has a separate first-floor apartment available to book independently. Guests travelling with friends or family are welcome to enquire about reserving both apartments, subject to availability.