Southend seafront guesthouse to close at end of year

Teresa and Neil Jones took on the Suenos Guesthouse, in Eastern Esplanade, in December 2012, after a period of travelling when they decided they wanted to open their very own guesthouse.

After months of work, Suenos was born and opened to the residents of Southend and tourists in 2013, becoming the only five-star rated guesthouse in the city. 

Sadness - Suenos Guesthouse to close this year (Image: Suenos)

However, Teresa and Neil have confirmed the Southend seafront guesthouse will close at the end of this year after many successful years as the couple look for a new venture.

Teresa said: “We have been here more than 11 years now, and they have been wonderful, but we just fancy a change of scenery.

“It is just my husband and I running this full time, and so it has been a lot of hard work. We feel it is time for a new venture.

“We are going to be closing at the end of the year.

“It is a bitter-sweet feeling. It is emotional, and sad, but we are excited about focusing on something new.

“We have had a great time, building it up from nothing. It has really been fantastic, and so successful. I couldn’t have asked for anything better. But now is time for a change.” 

Closure - The much-loved Suenos Guesthouse (Image: Suenos)

Suenos has been on the market for the last two years, but the couple hadn’t found a buyer to take over the business.

Now, plans have been submitted to Southend Council to change the use of the site from a guesthouse to a home, to give new buyers other options. 

Teresa added: “We did put the guesthouse on the market as a business, and have been trying to sell it as a business, but sadly it is quite unique so we haven’t had a buyer. So, we have put plans in for the residential in case somebody would like to buy it as a family home instead.”

In 2022, Suenos Guesthouse was highly commended at the East of England Tourism Awards in the Best Bed and Breakfast and Guesthouse Category.